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Lake Carlos State Park

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Bright yellow flowers and tall grasses line a rocky riverbank at sunset in Lake Carlos State Park. The sun is low, its reflection shimmering on the calm water, with distant trees under a clear blue sky.

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Lake Carlos State Park

Lake Carlos State Park is a scenic, year-round outdoor destination just north of Alexandria, known for its clear lake, rolling wooded hills, and diverse natural landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers. It’s a favorite for hiking, camping, water recreation, and seasonal adventures in every direction.

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320-993-3750

2601 County Road 38 Northeast, Carlos, Minnesota 56319

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About Lake Carlos State Park

320-993-3750

2601 County Road 38 Northeast, Carlos, Minnesota 56319

Sculpted by ancient glaciers, Lake Carlos State Park contains a tamarack bog, marshes, woodland ponds, and lakes. A variety of recreational activities revolve around the lake. Clear and deep, Lake Carlos offers visitors a perfect setting for swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hiking and horseback riding. Check the park’s website for special events held throughout the year. Swimming beach during the summer (no lifeguards present).

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The park’s 1,231 acres lie within a hardwood transition zone between the prairies to the southwest and the coniferous forest to the northeast. The park’s glacial moraine topography is dotted with woodland ponds, marshes, wet meadows, and lakes cradled among the hills. Visitors can hike or ski from a tamarack bog to a maple-basswood stand, or from open grassland to forested ridges…all within minutes.

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Outdoor Amenities & Camping

Outdoors

  • Swimming beach (no lifeguard on duty)
  • Fishing and boating on Lake Carlos
  • Hiking trails through forests, grasslands, and shoreline areas
  • Horseback riding trails
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities

Camping & Facilities

  • Campgrounds and group camping areas
  • Picnic areas and shelters
  • Restrooms and visitor facilities
Winter Activities
A dirt path winds through Lake Carlos State Park’s forest with vibrant autumn foliage. Trees display yellow and orange leaves, while red bushes line the trail. A sign stands along the path amidst the colorful scenery.
Snow-covered forest with tall, leafless trees casting long shadows in the sunlight at Lake Carlos State Park. The sun is low on the horizon, and a "No Trespassing" sign is partially visible on the right side of the image.
A calm lake at Lake Carlos State Park is bordered by trees, with vibrant red and orange autumn leaves in the foreground and reflections of the cloudy sky shimmering on the water.
Sunlight filters through a grove of trees at Lake Carlos State Park, casting long shadows along a grassy path that leads to a picnic table near the calm lake. Large rocks line the foreground, creating a peaceful and inviting scene.
A forest path in Lake Carlos State Park, covered with fallen orange and yellow leaves, winds through trees with colorful autumn foliage, bathed in warm sunlight.
Yellow and green leaves in the foreground frame a calm lake at Lake Carlos State Park, with a line of trees displaying autumn colors along the distant shoreline under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A man and a woman walk together on a leaf-covered path through Lake Carlos State Park’s forest, surrounded by green and yellow trees, enjoying a peaceful autumn day.
A shallow river flows over rocks under a clear sky at sunset in Lake Carlos State Park, with sunlight reflecting on the water and tall grasses and trees lining the riverbank.
Clusters of orange-brown mushrooms grow on the side of a mossy, fallen tree trunk in Lake Carlos State Park's forest, with autumn leaves scattered on top and a blurred woodland background.

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