McCarthy Beach State Park
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Come to McCarthy Beach State Park and you’ll remember the lakes. The sandy beach on Sturgeon Lake was rated one of the top 17 beaches in North America by Highway’s Magazine. Walk along the half-mile of shoreline, or venture out into the shallow water that extends hundreds of feet into the lake.
Launch a boat on Side Lake or Sturgeon Lake to explore the five connected lakes of the Sturgeon chain. Hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers enjoy scenic trails that wind along pine-covered ridges and through stands of birch. Snowmobilers and horseback riders take advantage of the Taconite State Trail to access miles of trails outside the park. Located near many tourist attractions, McCarthy Beach State Park offers opportunities for both relaxation and exploration.
Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.
Visitor Alert!Reservation Information: Campers making reservations for this summer should check the information below regarding narrow campground roads and sites with a short turning radius. Please give us a call if you have a large RV or trailer so we can suggest suitable sites. The search feature on the reservation website only goes by length, so may include some of these sites in the results. Note: Some sites in the 46 - 59 loop are long, but the road leading to this loop is especially narrow. Storm damage update:While visual reminders of the April 16th snowstorm will be evident for years, all facilities managed by McCarthy Beach State Park have reopened to the public. This includes the horse trail systems at Togo and Stony Brook. |
Park Notes
Gift Cards:Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card. Firewood Restrictions Information:Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists. Camping Information: General Camping Information: The Side Lake Campground has narrow roads and may not be suitable for some large motor homes. In addition, a number of sites have sharp turning radiuses. See the listing below to help assure the site you choose will fit your rig. Group Camp: The camp is typically open mid-spring to fall, but water may not be available at the group camp outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day period. State Forest Campgrounds: McCarthy Beach State Park manages four state forest campgrounds and day-use areas: Button Box Lake, Thistledew Lake, Togo Horse Camp, and Stony Brook Horse Camp. These campgrounds are located in the George Washington State Forest. Camping is first-come, first-served at these areas. The cost is $12/night for a regular campsite and $16/night at the horse sites. For more information, call the park at 218-254-7979. Birders:Bird Checklist |
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Hours
The park office will be open 10 am - 4 pm on the weekends of May 12th and May 19th. Mornings are usually the best time to reach someone by phone during the week.
Contact
7622 McCarthy Beach Road
Side Lake, MN 55781
tel: 218-254-7979
Getting There
From the town of Hibbing, take U.S. Highway 169 north to County Road 5, then 16 miles to the park.