McCarthy Beach State Park
Side Lake, Minnesota · on Side Lake · McCarthy Beach State Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About McCarthy Beach State Park
McCarthy Beach State Park is a 2,471-acre Minnesota state park near Side Lake, established in 1945 on former logging land once owned by John A. McCarthy. Its namesake beach, the park's designated swimming hole, sits on Sturgeon Lake, the main lake to swim in among a chain of glacial lakes (Sturgeon, Side, Beatrice, and Pickerel) within the park.
The park occupies rolling glacial moraine terrain in St. Louis County on Minnesota's Iron Range, covered in boreal forest of red pine, white pine, and black spruce, with lakes filling the valleys between low hills. It documents 33 mammal species and over 175 bird species, and was historically logged by the Swan River Logging Company starting in 1895 before becoming a popular picnic and tenting ground and then a state park in 1945.
Swimming at McCarthy Beach State Park
The main swimming beach is a half-mile stretch of sand on Sturgeon Lake where the water stays shallow for hundreds of feet from shore, making it well suited to young children, families, and casual floating rather than deep-water swimming. Camper reviews describe the water as clear and calm, good for water games and relaxed family swimming, with additional informal water access on the adjoining Side Lake.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. The swimming beach is a drive-up day-use area on Sturgeon Lake with adjacent parking and picnic facilities, no hike is required to reach the water. The park separately has hiking, mountain-bike, and horse trails elsewhere in the park (one source notes trails from the beach lead along ridge tops), but these are unrelated to reaching the swimming area itself.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Beach on Sturgeon Lake stays shallow for hundreds of feet from shore, and multiple independent camper reviews describe the water as calm and 'crystal clear,' with the shallow shelf specifically called out as good for young kids and water games. No lifeguard presence could be confirmed in any source, so supervise children directly.
Parking
Paid, $7 daily or $35 annual Minnesota State Park vehicle permit (required to park at any MN state park, including day-use beach lots)
This is a Minnesota DNR-managed vehicle permit fee rather than a separate parking fee; the park is a standard state-park day-use/beach lot setup, not roadside parking. Exact lot location relative to the beach and walking distance were not found in available sources.
Water clarity
Clear
Two independent campers describe the water as 'crystal clear' with shallow depths extending well out from shore, and that characterization is consistent across multiple visitor accounts.
Hours
Park open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; ranger station staffed 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in summer (per MN DNR park page, carried from prior dossier).
On the water
Camper reviews mention kayaking and paddling on both Side Lake and Sturgeon Lake; a facility-list aggregator (stateparks.com) separately notes the park offers boat access for anglers on both lakes. No specific horsepower, no-wake, or electric-only restriction was found in any available source, so restrictions are left null rather than assumed.
What regulars say
Visitor reports (camper reviews via The Dyrt) describe the beach as well-kept with lots of tables and sitting spots, water that stays shallow for a long way out ('great for water games and younger swimmers'), and calm, crystal-clear conditions good for family swimming. One reviewer noted the park has four well-marked trails they didn't have time to hike. No rental kayak/canoe/paddleboard business could be identified near Side Lake or McCarthy Beach State Park despite multiple targeted searches, visitors appear to bring their own watercraft.
Backstory
The park land was formerly owned by John A. McCarthy, who died in 1943; local and state funds were combined to purchase the property, which became a Minnesota state park in 1945. The Swan River Logging Company had operated in the area from 1895, moving logs by rail to Minneapolis sawmills before the land transitioned to public recreation.
McCarthy Beach State Park: FAQ
Does McCarthy Beach State Park charge a fee?
Minnesota state park vehicle permit required: $7 for a one-day permit or $35 for a year-round annual permit (per Minnesota DNR statewide fee schedule).
Is McCarthy Beach State Park kid friendly?
Beach on Sturgeon Lake stays shallow for hundreds of feet from shore, and multiple independent camper reviews describe the water as calm and 'crystal clear,' with the shallow shelf specifically called out as good for young kids and water games. No lifeguard presence could be confirmed in any source, so supervise children directly.
Do I need to hike to reach McCarthy Beach State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for McCarthy Beach State Park?
This is a Minnesota DNR-managed vehicle permit fee rather than a separate parking fee; the park is a standard state-park day-use/beach lot setup, not roadside parking. Exact lot location relative to the beach and walking distance were not found in available sources.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to McCarthy Beach State Park?
Camper reviews mention kayaking and paddling on both Side Lake and Sturgeon Lake; a facility-list aggregator (stateparks.com) separately notes the park offers boat access for anglers on both lakes. No specific horsepower, no-wake, or electric-only restriction was found in any available source, so restrictions are left null rather than assumed.
What are the rules at McCarthy Beach State Park?
Park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; the ranger station is staffed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer. Campfires are only allowed in established fire rings at developed campgrounds (not in backcountry sites), and gathering firewood on-site is prohibited to prevent spreading tree-killing insects; firewood must be purchased from the ranger station or via the Yodel app.
What water body is McCarthy Beach State Park on?
McCarthy Beach State Park is on Side Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
