Side Lake Campground

Open — The campground is currently open and accepting reservations for winter camping. Minnesota state parks require advance reservations.

About

Side Lake Campground serves as the primary camping facility at McCarthy Beach State Park, situated on the shores of Side Lake in Minnesota's northern lake country. The campground encompasses 59 wooded sites spread across multiple loops, with tall pines providing ample shade and a sense of privacy. Twenty-one sites feature electric hookups, while the remaining sites offer a more rustic experience without hookups. The campground roads are narrow and winding, particularly on the interior loops, making some areas better suited for tent campers and smaller trailers rather than large motorhomes. Modern amenities include shower buildings, restrooms, and a dump station for RVs. Water is available from spigots throughout the campground, and vault toilets supplement the main facilities in more remote loops. Canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and paddleboats are available to rent from the campground. Side Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and walleye, with a fishing pier and boat launch located within the campground. The park's boat ramp provides access to the Sturgeon Lake chain of five interconnected lakes. A scenic one-mile shoreline trail winds along Side Lake directly from the campground. McCarthy Beach State Park's famous sandy beach on Sturgeon Lake is a short walk or bike ride away, featuring a half-mile of shallow swimming area. The park's extensive trail system offers 18 miles of paths for hiking and mountain biking through heavily forested terrain.

Directions

From Hibbing, take U.S. Highway 169 north to County Road 5, then drive 16 miles to the park.

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