Sand Lake - Balsam Twp

Itasca County, Minnesota

Located in Balsam Township, Sand Lake is 21 miles from Grand Rapids and 101 miles from Duluth. The Grand Rapids-Itasca County Airport is 24 miles away, and Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital is also 24 miles away. Residents shop for groceries and snacks at Petrich’s Store, Nashwauk Market, and K-M Corner Store. Great locations restaurants include Scenic Pines Bar and Grill, Timberwolf Inn, and Sportsmen’s Cafe and Bar.

Life on the Water

Surrounded by gorgeous vegetation, Sand Lake spans 195 acres and has a maximum depth of 58 feet. Residents enjoy swimming, water sports, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing on these waters. The lake is open to the public and has a boat ramp. In Sand Lake, anglers have the opportunity to catch bluegill, largemouth and rock bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, pumpkin seed, white sucker, and hybrid sunfish.

Visit Grand Rapids

If you’re interested in learning the history of logging in this part of the state, head down to the Forest History Center. You can see a recreation of a white pine logging camp from 1900, listen to stories from loggers and forest service patrolmen from different eras, or get a bird’s eye view from a 100-foot fire tower. Follow the yellow brick road to the Judy Garland Museum, where you can get a glimpse at the world’s largest Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz collection, including the world-famous ruby-red slippers from the movie. If you’re getting hungry, you can check out the great restaurants that Grand Rapids has to offer, like Mitu Srilankan and Indian Cuisine, Donkey Taqueria, and Heritage Restaurant.

Visit Duluth

Duluth is the perfect spot for a weekend city getaway while still offering beautiful natural scenery. For an outdoor adventure off the water, visit any of the city's 23 parks. The Leif Erickson Park is one of the most popular, featuring a rose garden with 1,800 bushes. It is widely considered one of the best rose gardens in the state. Lake Superior Zoo offers a fun, family-friendly trip to see over 140 species in indoor and outdoor settings. The zoo also has a cafe, a gift shop, interactive visits, and behind-the-scenes tours. Looking to take a scenic drive? The North Shore Scenic Drive spans around 150 miles, following the shoreline of Lake Superior. It offers great photo opportunities, historic landmarks, and quaint shops along the way. When visitors are hungry and heading back home, Duluth has something to satisfy every craving. Highly-rated options include Duluth Grill, OMC Smokehouse, Va Bene, New Scenic Cafe, and Vitta Pizza.

Scenic Views and Fun Adventures

Sand Lake offers some of Minnesota’s most beautiful scenery while still providing the opportunity to visit nearby cities. This is the perfect location for lovers of nature and adventure!