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: There is a link to a .pdf file under general camping information that has detailed information on our campsites, including which ones work well for groups. It also has important information regarding sites that won't work for large motor homes or long trailers due to sharp turning radiuses. Please note that the loop containing sites 19 - 45 has sharp turns on the campground road, and the road leading to sites 46 - 59 is especially narrow, so even though some of these campsites are long, they may be unsuitable for large rigs. Construction Alert:We are not accepting reservations from Labor Day 2013 through mid-June 2014 due to the planned replacement of the campground sanitation building. The campground may be open during part of this time on a first-come basis, depending on the construction schedule. |
Park Notes
Virtual Tour:Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park! 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. 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
Early season office hours are 9 am - 9 pm on Fridays & Saturdays and 9 am - 4 pm Sundays - Thursdays. Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
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.