Lake Carlos State Park

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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. In the winter, ski from the tamarack bog to a maple-basswood forest.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

Candlelight Ski Events

Candlelight events will take place at Lake Carlos on February 3 and 4 from 6-9 p.m. If there is enough snow, 1.5 miles of ski trails will be groomed and lit and an additional .5 miles of snowshoe trails will be lit. If there is not enough snow to groom, ski trail visitors can walk the candlelit trails. Call the park at 320-852-7200 to learn current snow conditions. Lake Carlos State Park's 2012 candlelight events are sponsored by the Bike & Fitness Company and Subway of Alexandria. Participants will receive refreshments and sandwich samples provided by our sponsors.

New! Virtual Tour:

Take a panoramic virtual tour of Lake Carlos State Park. In this journey you'll check out a few of our favorite campsites and trails, and enjoy views of Lake Carlos swimming beach and picnic areas, the amphitheater and scenic woodlands, bogs and grasslands.
Panoramic tour | Accessible tour

Park Notes

Zebra Mussels Found on Lake Carlos:

Zebra mussels are now found on Lake Carlos and throughout the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Boaters are required to inspect and remove all visible aquatic plants, animals and mud from their boats, trailers and equipment in order to prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels. Large groups of Zebra Mussels can kill native mussels, harm fish populations, and interfere with recreational opportunities. Learn more about invasive aquatics

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Lake Carlos State Park.

Park Highlights

Camping	Fishing on Chain of Lakes
Birdwatching	Hiking Through Rolling Hills
Swimming/Boating	Water Recreation

Events

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

03/03/12	Lake Carlos State Park	Custom Fishing Rod building Workshop
03/31/12	Lake Carlos State Park	American Woodcock: Sky Dance Viewing

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Sunday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact

2601 County Road 38 Northeast
Carlos, MN 56319

tel: 320-852-7200

email: lakecarlos.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

The park entrance is located 10 miles north of Alexandria on State Highway 29, then 2 miles west on Highway 38.