Sandbar Point N37 Campsite

- Northwest St. Louis, MN 55725

For Minnesotans, the call of the Northwoods is a deeply ingrained tradition, a pull toward the state's iconic lakes, forests, and unparalleled solitude. The **Sandbar Point N37 Campsite** offers a perfect opportunity to answer that call. Located within the magnificent, water-based wilderness of Voyageurs National Park, N37 is a dedicated **Small Campsite** situated on the tranquil shores of Namakan Lake. It is designed to host intimate gatherings, with a maximum capacity of nine people, making it an excellent choice for a secluded family getaway or a focused fishing trip.

Voyageurs National Park distinguishes itself as a premier destination because the vast majority of its campsites, including N37, are accessible **only by watercraft**. This essential 'boat-in' access is the key to maintaining the high degree of privacy and quiet that is often difficult to find in more conventional, drive-in campgrounds. As a frontcountry site, N37 provides a balance: the feeling of a remote wilderness site combined with the convenience of essential, developed facilities.

Sandbar Point N37 is positioned on Namakan Lake, one of the four major lakes in the park. This location offers easy access to some of the area’s most stunning scenery and is a prime location for enjoying the park's renowned fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing. Choosing N37 means selecting a true Minnesota water adventure, where your boat is not just transport, but an integral part of your camping experience.

Sandbar Point N37 is located in the beautiful northeastern section of Voyageurs National Park, placing it on the expansive **Namakan Lake**. This area is part of the extensive border lakes region of Minnesota, a place where the American wilderness meets the Canadian border. The official general address for the area is:

Northwest St. Louis, MN 55725, USA

The campsite is geographically known as Sandbar Point, situated on a landmass that juts into Namakan Lake. This specific location can be accessed most easily from the Ash River or Crane Lake gateway communities, which provide public boat launches. For campers launching from the popular Crane Lake access point, the journey to Sandbar Point N37 is approximately **14.8 miles by water**.

**Access to the site is strictly Boat-In.** Visitors are required to use a private motorboat, canoe, kayak, or arrange for water taxi service from one of the local outfitters. The convenience of N37 is greatly enhanced by the provision of a permanent **4’ x 20’ crib dock** for secure boat mooring. This fixed dock ensures reliable access regardless of the modest daily fluctuations in lake level, making it easy to load and unload gear for the duration of your stay. As is standard practice for Voyageurs National Park, an overnight permit and reservation are mandatory for using this designated campsite.

As a designated Small Campsite within the Voyageurs frontcountry system, Sandbar Point N37 is equipped with the necessary amenities to ensure a safe and comfortable stay while adhering to the National Park Service's preservation standards. The facilities are designed to support a responsible and self-sufficient wilderness trip.

• **Maximum Occupancy:** The site is managed for a maximum of **9 people** for overnight camping.
• **Tent Pads:** The site features **two official tent pads**, specifically sized at 12' x 12' and 12' x 14', providing level, cleared spaces for setting up tents.
• **Boat Docking:** A durable, permanent **4’ x 20’ crib dock** is installed for safe and convenient mooring of watercraft.
• **Picnic Area:** Includes **one sturdy picnic table** for food preparation, dining, and gathering.
• **Fire Management:** Equipped with **one metal fire ring with a cooking grate** for safe, contained campfires and outdoor cooking.
• **Food Storage:** Provides **two bear-proof food lockers**, measuring 52" wide x 36" deep x 21" high, essential for the secure storage of all food and scented items to protect both campers and the park’s abundant bear population.
• **Sanitation:** A single **outdoor vault privy** (toilet) is maintained on-site.

Sandbar Point N37 offers several features that appeal directly to the local camper looking for that perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in Minnesota's Northwoods.

• **Prime Namakan Lake Position:** Namakan Lake is a favorite among locals for its quieter, more secluded waters compared to the larger Rainy or Kabetogama Lakes. It provides excellent opportunities for fishing for Walleye and other native species.
• **Dedicated Dock Access:** The presence of a permanent crib dock is a major convenience, especially for those with motorized boats, allowing for quick and secure access directly to the site.
• **Small Group Intimacy:** As a Small Campsite, N37 is perfectly scaled for private, intimate trips, ensuring a less crowded experience than large or group sites. This helps maintain the desired sense of solitude.
• **Frontcountry Convenience, Wilderness Feel:** The site provides core amenities like a picnic table and bear lockers, which simplify the logistics of camping, yet its boat-in access ensures a distinctly remote, wilderness-immersed feel that local adventurers seek.
• **Gateway to the Interior:** Being on Namakan Lake, the site is strategically placed for easy boating access to the rest of the park, including the historic **Kettle Falls Hotel** and the entrance points to the more remote interior lakes of the Kabetogama Peninsula.
• **Excellent Scenery:** Voyageurs National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, meaning nights at Sandbar Point N37 offer exceptional stargazing and, depending on the season, a chance to view the spectacular Northern Lights.

All inquiries, reservations, and official information are managed through the National Park Service and the designated national reservation system.

Site Location (Water Access Point):

Sandbar Point N37 Campsite, Namakan Lake

Voyageurs National Park, Northwest St. Louis, MN 55725, USA

Reservation and Park Information:

Campsite reservations and permits are mandatory for all overnight use.

Voyageurs National Park Permit Reservations: 1-877-444-6777 (via Recreation.gov)

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters: 218-283-6600

Official Reservation Website: Recreation.gov (Search for "Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits")

Sandbar Point N37 Campsite is an ideal destination for Minnesota residents because it embodies the state's treasured tradition of **lake life and wilderness immersion**. Unlike more conventional National Parks, Voyageurs, and sites like N37, require a boat—a fact that, for many locals, is less of a barrier and more of an invitation. It perfectly suits those who already own a watercraft and desire a camping experience that is rugged and secluded, yet supported by basic, reliable amenities.

The site's location on Namakan Lake places it in a slightly less trafficked zone of the park, offering superior opportunities for quiet time, wildlife observation, and uninterrupted fishing. It is an accessible adventure for families and small groups who are comfortable with the unique logistics of a boat-in trip and who value the privacy that only an island-dotted, water-based park can provide. By offering an authentic slice of the Northwoods with necessary comforts—a secure dock, bear-proof storage, and two tent pads—Sandbar Point N37 provides the perfect backdrop for a quintessential, high-quality Minnesota wilderness escape, solidifying its place as a top-tier option for local outdoor enthusiasts.

Sandbar Point N37 Campsite

Northwest St. Louis, MN 55725, USA