Group Camp

For Minnesotans organizing a large gathering—be it a family reunion, a youth retreat, or a large friends' trip—the **Group Camp** at **McCarthy Beach State Park** near Side Lake, MN, offers a distinct and highly-praised solution. Nestled on a wooded bluff with commanding views over **Sturgeon Lake**, this site is celebrated for its unique location and privacy within the popular state park system. It serves as an ideal base for groups who want to take advantage of the park’s nationally recognized beach and chain of five interconnected lakes while having a dedicated, secluded space to call their own.

Unlike the main, often busy, campgrounds like Side Lake and Beatrice Lake, the Group Camp is intentionally separated. It is positioned perfectly between the main boat launch and the day-use area, giving your group easy access to water recreation and the amenities of the public beach, yet feeling worlds away due to its isolated location among the **tall pines**. Campers frequently commend its peaceful, private atmosphere and its spectacular waterfront scenery, making it one of the most sought-after group sites in the region.

The **Group Camp** is located within the expansive **McCarthy Beach State Park** in Itasca County, Minnesota. The site's specific appeal is its strategic placement on **Sturgeon Lake**, which is a separate body of water from the main Side Lake Campground area.

The official park address is:

7621 McCarthy Beach Rd, Side Lake, MN 55781, USA

This location places the campground just off the main park entrance road, providing easy, drive-in access for groups. Crucially, the Group Camp sits on a bluff overlooking Sturgeon Lake, positioned conveniently:

• Between the Picnic Shelter and Boat Landing: This allows groups swift access to launch watercraft and use the adjacent public picnic facilities if needed.
• Near the Day-Use Area: The main, expansive, sandy swimming beach—known for its shallow, crystal-clear water—is within a very walkable distance from the Group Camp, granting your group the benefit of modern beach facilities without staying in the general campground loops.

The site maintains excellent accessibility despite its secluded feel, ensuring large vehicles and multiple cars can reach the area, making setup straightforward for a big group.

The Group Camp at McCarthy Beach State Park is characterized by its **rustic** nature, meaning it prioritizes a wilderness experience while still offering critical amenities to accommodate up to **40 to 50 people**.

Key services and facilities specific to the Group Camp site include:

• Large Tenting Area: The site is primarily designed as a tenting area, offering plenty of cleared, wooded space to pitch multiple tents comfortably.
• Group Gathering Log Building: A significant feature, this site reportedly includes a nice log building or picnic shelter for group activities, offering a protected space for meals or meetings.
• Basic Water Access: A **spigot** for cold, potable water is available on-site, ensuring hydration needs are met.
• Vault Toilets: Pit toilets (vault toilets) are provided directly at the group camp for basic sanitation.
• Campfire and Dining Facilities: Ample **picnic tables** and **fire rings/grills** are provided to facilitate group cooking and evening campfires.
• Proximity to Modern Facilities: While the site is rustic, the main park's new **bath house**—featuring **flush toilets** and **hot showers**—is highly walkable from the Group Camp, providing a convenient option for groups seeking modern hygiene facilities.

Minnesotans choose this Group Camp because it is arguably the best-situated camping option in the entire state park, offering exclusive advantages for a large party that individual sites cannot match.

The primary highlights include:

• Exceptional Privacy: Located on its own wooded bluff and separate from the main campground loops, the site offers maximum seclusion and quiet, making it ideal for large groups who want to minimize interaction with the general public.
• Prime Waterfront Location: The camp is situated right on **Sturgeon Lake**, offering beautiful views and direct access to the water among tall pine trees—a picturesque, classic Minnesota scene.
• Unbeatable Access to Park Amenities: Campers get the best of both worlds: a private site and immediate proximity to the main attractions, including the boat launch and the famous, half-mile **sandy swimming beach** (known for its shallow, kid-friendly water).
• Walkable to Modern Facilities: The ability to easily walk to the main campground's modern restrooms and hot showers is a significant convenience that greatly enhances the "rustic" camping experience.
• Base for Adventure: The camp serves as a perfect hub for exploring the park’s extensive trail system, which includes over 18 miles of **hiking trails** and connections to the **Taconite State Trail** for mountain biking and horseback riding.
• Suited for Small Trailers: While primarily for tents, the site has space to accommodate a few small camping trailers alongside the tenting areas, providing flexibility for group members with different camping setups.

Reservations for the **Group Camp** at McCarthy Beach State Park are highly recommended, often needing to be booked well in advance due to the site's popularity and exclusive nature. Reservations for this and other Minnesota State Park facilities are typically handled centrally by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Park Address (for context and navigation):

7621 McCarthy Beach Rd, Side Lake, MN 55781, USA

Phone Number (McCarthy Beach State Park Office):

(218) 274-7200

For booking, please use the official Minnesota DNR State Parks reservation system online or call the park office directly during business hours to confirm availability, specific site capacity rules (typically up to 40-50 people), and the reservation process.

For Minnesotans planning a significant group trip, the **Group Camp** at McCarthy Beach is undeniably worth choosing because it provides an **exclusive, high-value experience** that maximizes both seclusion and accessibility to the park's best features.

You are essentially securing the **"best camping spot in the whole state park,"** as noted by long-time visitors. This site offers the only large, dedicated group camping area on beautiful Sturgeon Lake, separate from the park's general loops, giving your party unparalleled privacy for bonding and recreation. The inclusion of the **log gathering shelter** and the convenience of having both **vault toilets** on-site and **hot showers/flush toilets** just a short walk away eliminates many of the trade-offs usually associated with rustic group camping.

From the stunning sunset views over Sturgeon Lake to the immediate, easy access to the boat launch and the exceptional half-mile sandy beach, this Group Camp ensures a truly memorable, authentic, and hassle-free Northern Minnesota group adventure. It delivers the rugged, secluded feel of a wilderness retreat with all the key amenities necessary to comfortably host a large gathering.