Lake Carlos State Park RV & Campground Guide
Minnesota
- Home
- State Parks
- Minnesota
- Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos has long been a summer vacation destination, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the state and beyond. The park sits on land carved by receding glaciers and covers 1,231 acres. The landscape found here is diverse, and it includes hardwood forests, marshes, ponds, and prairies. This outdoor recreation area opened in 1937, and the five buildings used by the Works Progress Administration during the park's development were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The park is open year-round and offers boat rentals, a gift shop, interpretive trails, and numerous outdoor adventures.
Spring 24-69 F
Summer 60-83 F
Fall 27-72 F
Winter 8-28 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos State Park has two distinctive camping areas with a total of 121 sites. The lower campground is located close to the lake, and it has a strict limit of one RV or tent per site. The upper campground is heavily wooded for a more secluded camping experience. There are 81 sites with electric hookups, including 59 in the lower campground and 22 in the upper section. Of these sites, one ADA-compliant site is available in each campground. The maximum RV length is 50 feet. All campsites have a fire ring with a grill. Campers can take advantage of showers and flush toilets from May through October, and vault toilets are available the rest of the year. The dump station is available from May through October.
What to Do at
Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos State Park offers outdoor fun for visitors throughout the year. The lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating in the summer. In the winter, enjoy the snowy landscape while ice fishing. There are also miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. At the Visitor Center, you can participate in special programs and browse through exhibits to learn more about the area's wildlife and history. If you are visiting for the day, you can follow the main road to the picnic area, which has tables overlooking the lake.
Fishing
Visitors can take advantage of the fishing dock located near the lower campground or launch a boat to fish in deeper water. A fish cleaning station and ice fishing equipment are available. The lake is home to yellow bullhead, carp, yellow perch, rock bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, brown trout, bluegill, and crappie.
Nature Watching
With ecosystems ranging from prairies and ponds to lakes, woods, and marshes, Lake Carlos is home to a variety of birds and mammals. A few of the many animals that you may spot while enjoying the park are grebes, beavers, deer, herons, loons, and ducks.
Hiking
During warmer weather, you can explore 14 miles of hiking trails as well as three miles of self-guided interpretive trails. There are also nine trails suitable for horseback riding. In the winter, these trails are open for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Snowshoe rentals are available at the park office.
Boating
Seasonally, two boat ramps are available at Lake Carlos. One ramp is located close to the lower campground. The other is just off of the fork on County Road 38 NE.
Swimming
The clear, smooth waters of Lake Carlos make it perfect for cooling off on warm days. A large swimming area is on the main lake near the group camping area. Restrooms, a volleyball court, and picnic tables are close to the beach.
How to Get to
Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos State Park is easy to access because it is close to Interstate 94. From Minneapolis and St. Cloud, follow Interstate 94 west to Alexandria. In Alexandria, turn north on Highway 29, which is also known as Broadway. Follow this road through Alexandria. Then, turn left on County Road 38 NE. This road breaks into northern and southern forks. Take the northern fork to continue on County Road 38 NE. The Visitor Center is located on the right side of the road.
Entering Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the year. Numerous areas of the park are handicap accessible, including the restrooms, two campsites, and parking lots. Parking lots are located near the amphitheater, swimming area, and some trailheads.
Lake Carlos State Park Entry Fee per vehicle : $7.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Carlos State Park
If you plan to camp at Lake Carlos State Park, the best time to visit is between the middle of May and the middle of October. This is when campers have access to flush toilets, showers, and a dump station.
While exploring the park, you can pass through numerous ecosystems within minutes, and this diversity makes it easy to spot dozens of mammal and bird species. Some wildlife you may spot include herons, ducks, grebes, loons, deer, and beavers.
The park's 121 drive-in campsites are all suitable for tents and RVs. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Showers and flush toilets are available for all campers in the upper campground.
You do not need a reservation to camp at Lake Carlos State, but securing a spot is a good idea. Reservations are available online at no additional cost. The nightly rate ranges from $25 to $35.
Your pets are welcome at Lake Carlos State Park, and they are allowed on the hiking trails. You are expected to clean up after your four-legged companions, and they must be on a leash.