Nearest Town: Jacobson

Hay Lake State Forest Campground is located in Savanna State Forest on the southeast corner of Hay Lake. Managed by the Savanna Portage State Park, the campground has two loops with 20 sites available for camping. Campers self-register for site fee payments. The lake provides opportunities for pan fishing, swimming and boating. A picnic area with five sites is located near the boat ramp and dock.

A short hiking trail leads through the upland forest; fall color is a major attraction to this woodland campground. The area is mostly deciduous forest with some scrub wetlands. A snowmobile trail connects the area with the Savanna Portage State Park to the south and the Jacobson area to the north. Hike the snowmobile trail in summer to visit the rolling maple woodlands and low bog areas. In spring, the ephemeral wildflowers bloom in profusion in the upland forests. A small lake surrounded by bog lies along the trail to the south of the campground. Birds to see here include many species of migrating and nesting warblers. Listen for the musical song of the Winter Wren along the snowmobile trail. Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher. Olive-sided Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird and Hermit Thrush are a few of the woodland birds found here.

The entrance road to the campground passes open fields with Song and Savannah Sparrows. It is possible to find Lincoln’s Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco nesting in the Tamarack bogs along the road to Hay Lake. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Connecticut Warbler also live in these damp woods. Mammals to see include Gray Wolf, Black Bear and the occasional Moose along with the common White-tailed Deer, Raccoon and Red Fox.

Directions: From Jacobson take State Highway 65 south 2.5 miles, turn left (east) three miles, road turns south one mile to campground. From McGregor, north on State Highway 65, 26.5 miles, look for the sign to the campground on the right.

Contact Information: Savanna Portage State Park, 55626 Lake Place, McGregor, MN 55760, Phone: 218-426-3271.