Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area is 650 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Sherburne County, near St. Cloud, inside Deer Permit Area 223. The DNR's WMA data lists bear for it. Hunters registered 2,839 deer in DPA 223 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasState forest and other DNR landCounty, city and regional landSand Prairie WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 650 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Sherburne County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 223 |
| DNR lists for hunting | bear |
| Nearest town (DNR) | St. Cloud |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Nearest towns | St. Cloud (3 mi), Sauk Rapids (4 mi) and Waite Park (6 mi) |
What is Sand Prairie WMA like?
This 650 acre WMA is situated in the glacial flood plain of the Mississippi River. Well drained sandy soils with a high water table define the type of native vegetation that grows here. Moist to wet remnant prairie, dry prairie, and aspen occur here.
In addition to its status as a WMA, Sand Prairie is the first WMA also designated as an Environmental Education Area. Numerous local school and college students and teachers routinely visit and study the Sand Prairie ecosystem. Good opportunities exist for wildlife viewing, nature study and hiking. Watch for sandhill cranes!
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Sand Prairie WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists bear for Sand Prairie WMA. Each follows the statewide season.
What are the rules on Sand Prairie WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
The DNR's data marks part of Sand Prairie WMA as a wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary ground is posted and closed to entry without DNR authorization.
How many deer are taken around Sand Prairie WMA?
Sand Prairie WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 223. The DNR registered 2,839 deer in DPA 223 in 2025, against 2,808 in 2024.
| DPA | Sand Prairie WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 223 | 650 | 2,839 | 2,808 | 2,249 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Sand Prairie WMA?
2 miles east of St. Cloud within Sections 4,5,8 and 9, T. 35 N., R. 30 W., Sherburne County.
Wheelchair access is also available on mowed trails, boardwalk, and observation deck. See maps at main parking lots for more information.
Nearest towns: St. Cloud (3 miles), Sauk Rapids (4 miles), Waite Park (6 miles) and Sartell (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 10, MN 23, MN 15, I-94 and US 52.
What other public land is near Sand Prairie WMA?
Public land within 3 miles of Sand Prairie WMA
Counting Sand Prairie WMA itself, 1,127 of the 28,325 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 669 |
| County, city and regional land | 324 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 134 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sand Prairie WMA?
In Sherburne County, near St. Cloud. The DNR's directions: 2 miles east of St. Cloud within Sections 4,5,8 and 9, T. 35 N., R. 30 W., Sherburne County.
Which deer permit area is Sand Prairie WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 223. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Sand Prairie WMA?
1,127 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sand Prairie WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Sand Prairie WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.