Is Sand Dunes Sfra Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground is open Open year-round. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Fire policies at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground: Visitors are required to follow state park/forest fire rules and to use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of forest pests. Other specific fire restrictions are governed by site rules and seasonal conditions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Sand Dunes Sfra Campground have?

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground has 34 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground?

Popular activities at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

1 review

Top 16% in MNSummer

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Tent Camping Minnesota

Quick Facts

978 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV Friendly

Book on MinnesotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

978 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV Friendly

Book on MinnesotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

45.4121, -93.6509

Nearby places

Lake Maria State Park (~20 miles)

Zimmerman (distance not specified)

Big Lake (distance not specified)

Weather at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

Best Time to Camp at Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather for swimming, boating, and shoreline fishing on Ann Lake, with daytime highs typically 75–85°F and nights 50–60°F. Trails across the dune prairie and oak savanna are at their best for hiking and wildlife viewing, and wildflowers and dune grasses are in full display. Expect moderate weekend crowds in July and August at the beach and trailheads, but sites remain peaceful compared with busier state parks. The campground stays open year-round. Fall brings hunting activity (wear blaze orange) and quieter trails. Winter blankets the dunes in snow for snowmobiling and snowshoeing, though you'll need full cold-weather gear given the primitive facilities. Pack bug spray for mosquitoes and ticks in warmer months.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in MN

Summer best for swimming, boating and shoreline fishing; temps 75–85°F noted.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round

About Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

Sand Dunes SFRA Campground sits on the wooded shore of Ann Lake, 34 sites spread across an unexpected landscape of rolling sand dunes, oak savanna, and pine plantations. The setting feels rustic and secluded despite being near the metro, with a sandy swimming beach and trail access to the adjacent Uncas Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. Amenities are primitive: vault toilets, no showers, no hookups.

Ann Lake (Sand Dunes SFRA) campground is described as a primitive/rustic campground that accommodates tents and RVs and includes group sites; sites are wooded and lake‑adjacent in places.

Weather and SeasonsSummer offers the warmest, most reliable weather for swimming, boating, and shoreline fishing on Ann Lake, with daytime highs typically 75–85°F and nights 50–60°F. Trails across the dune prairie and oak savanna are at their best for hiking and wildlife viewing, and wildflowers and dune grasses are in full display. Expect moderate weekend crowds in July and August at the beach and trailheads, but sites remain peaceful compared with busier state parks. The campground stays open year-round. Fall brings hunting activity (wear blaze orange) and quieter trails. Winter blankets the dunes in snow for snowmobiling and snowshoeing, though you'll need full cold-weather gear given the primitive facilities. Pack bug spray for mosquitoes and ticks in warmer months.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies the edge of a rare sand-dune prairie at 978 feet elevation. Oak savanna transitions to pine plantations, and Ann Lake's clear water laps against a sandy beach. The neighboring Uncas Dunes SNA has vegetated dune prairie with native wildflowers and grasses that shift through the seasons. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge borders the area, adding wetlands and mixed-wood forest to the mix. The terrain feels more southwestern than north-woods Minnesota. Sites sit among trees with partial lake views and a semi-secluded feel. Expect sandy footing on trails and watch for poison ivy in the dune areas.

Geological RegionSand-dune landscape with oak savanna, prairie and pine plantations; lakeshore on Ann Lake adjacent to vegetated dune prairie (Uncas Dunes SNA)

Scenic ViewsMany sites have wooded and partial lake views with a semi-secluded feel; the Ann Lake beach offers open views across the water. Trails in the Uncas Dunes SNA and surrounding forest provide more open prairie and dune vistas during the growing season.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (typical reservation platform for Minnesota state parks and recreation areas)

Total Campsites34 campsites

Best CampsitesCampers favor lake-adjacent and more deeply wooded sites for privacy and shade. Sites are evenly spaced with lots of bushes and trees between them, and many have trees suitable for hammocks. Group sites are available. No specific site numbers are called out in reviews.

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Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Primitive/rustic campground amenities: vault toilets and potable water spigots are available. Individual sites are reported to include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, trash cans and lantern holders; there are no hookups, no showers, and no on-site sales of firewood or ice.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation centers on primitive lakeside camping with trails and nearby protected natural areas. Popular uses include swimming at the sandy Ann Lake beach, shore and small-boat fishing, multi-use trail recreation, horseback riding, snowmobiling in winter, hunting in season, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPoison ivy is present in parts of the Uncas Dunes area; sandy footing can make some trails tiring or awkward to walk. Expect typical forest insects (mosquitoes, ticks) and hunting activity in season; exercise appropriate safety and wear blaze orange during hunting seasons when required.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

1 reviews

Limited Reviews

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews characterize the campground as a peaceful, rustic 'hidden gem' near the metro with a nice sandy beach, clear lake, and secluded, well‑spaced sites. Most feedback is positive, with criticisms focused on the primitive level of amenities and sandy footing on trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 1 reviews

What Campers Love

Peaceful, rustic atmosphere; wooded, private sites; sandy swimming beach on Ann Lake; good wildlife viewing and nearby Uncas Dunes SNA; suitable for horseback riding and year‑round use.

Based on 1 reviews

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Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

Go if

Tent campers and hammock-hangers who want a swim beach, oak savanna trails into Uncas Dunes SNA, and well-spaced wooded sites without hookup crowds, summer is the peak, but the site holds up spring through fall.

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, no dump station, and no cell signal worth counting on, if those are non-negotiables, the primitive setup here will wear thin fast, especially for longer stays.

Nearby Campgrounds

11411 Clementa Ave NW, Monticello, MN 55362

Lake Maria State Park's Camper Cabins sit a quarter- to three-quarter-mile hike from parking, trading electricity and running water for quiet forest isolation. Each cabin sleeps four and requires visitors to pack in their own water and supplies. The park handles reservations through the Minnesota state park system, though some visitors report unclear booking instructions.

11411 Clementa Ave NW, Monticello, MN 55362

When the sun dips below the horizon at Lake Maria State Park, your adventure is just beginning. Gather around a crackling campfire, join evening naturalist programs, or wander beneath a canopy of stars on moonlit trails. Reserve your group campsite in advance through the Minnesota State Parks system to secure your spot in this peaceful woodland retreat.

Backpack Campsites Campground

Lake Maria State Park

Backpack Campsites at Lake Maria State Park offers some of the most secluded hike-in camping within easy reach of the Twin Cities. The park protects a rare stand of Big Woods maple-basswood forest around glacial kettles and small lakes, with a network of 40+ miles of trails threading through rolling hardwood terrain. Backpack sites sit on peninsulas and shorelines, spaced far enough apart that many campers report feeling like the only people in the park.

11411 Clementa Ave NW, Monticello, MN 55362

Lake Maria State Park's backpack campsites scatter along quiet lakes and ponds, each reached by a hike of half a mile to two miles from the trailhead. The eight rustic sites run $8–10 per night and offer real solitude: picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and vault toilet at each spot, with nothing but woods and water in between. You'll share some trails with horses, but the sites themselves feel remote.

$8.00 - $10.00 / night

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25022 County Road 41, Starbuck, MN 56381

Group Campground sits in Glacial Lakes State Park, where rolling glacial hills drop into native prairie around spring-fed Signalness Lake. The park requires reservations for all sites. Visitors praise the well-maintained campsites and trails, though reviews mention basic pit toilets and inconsistent office hours.

Glacial Lakes State Park

Backpack Campsites at Glacial Lakes State Park place you deep in Minnesota's glacial hill country, away from developed loops and road noise. The park's most distinctive backpack site sits at Kettle Lake, a destination campers mention by name in reviews. These primitive sites require hauling your gear on foot but reward the effort with quieter surroundings and prairie-and-woodland scenery.

Glacial Lakes State Park

Group Camp at Glacial Lakes State Park sits among rolling glacial terrain in central Minnesota, offering primitive group camping with electric hookups, showers, and access to prairie and oak savanna trails. Reviewers praise the shady, spacious sites and nearby swimming pool, though mosquitoes and cold showers are common complaints.

Glacial Lakes State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park's camper cabins sit near the lake in west-central Minnesota, offering clean lodging with decks and scenic water views. The park features rolling prairie and hardwood forest crisscrossed by hiking trails, plus swimming access and seasonal naturalist programs. Cell service is poor to nonexistent with both AT&T and Verizon.

Campgrounds

Lake Maria State Park

Sand Dunes Sfra Campground

About Merritt Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Sand Dunes Sfra Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Merritt+Dam">Merritt Dam</a>, a feature of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Ainsworth Unit Project">Ainsworth Unit, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program</a>, is on the Snake River 14 miles upstream from the confluence of the Snake and Niobrara Rivers. Recreation is managed by Nebraska Game and Parks. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. THe reservoir peaks has 2,906 water surface acres, 6,147 land acres and 44 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round. <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_mrne.pl">Current reservoir levels.</a>

Directions

Located 21 miles southwest of Valentine, Nebraska. Nearest highway is Nebraska 97.

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