Lake Carlos State Park
Overview
Established in 1937, the park holds 1,154 acres with rolling hardwood forests, prairie meadows, wetlands and over a mile of lakeshore. Visit the park to swim, fish, boat, hike, camp or horseback ride. Enjoy Lake Carlos by swimming at the beach, walking along the shore, watching for wildlife, or angling for an abundance of gamefish. Lake Carlos is the largest and deepest in the Alexandria chain of lakes at 2,520 acres and up to 163 feet deep. The water, trails and great campsites make this a popular destination.
- Trails
- 12
- Viewpoints
- 6
- Activities
- 0
- POIs
- 27
Opening Hours
08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Emergency SOS
Amenities Available
- Paved Parking Lots
Designated vehicle parking areas with clearly marked spaces and ADA-accessible spots mandated by federal law. Most parks offer free or low-cost daily parking passes.
- Restrooms / Flush Toilets
Modern restroom facilities with running water and proper sanitation. Subject to seasonal closures in northern states during winter months.
- Drinking Water Fountains
Potable water stations distributed throughout the park, tested regularly for safety to ensure clean water access for all visitors.
- Picnic Areas & Shelters
Covered pavilions equipped with tables and built-in grills. Shelters are often reservable for group events and birthday parties.
- Visitor / Ranger Station
Information hub staffed by rangers or volunteers offering maps, wildlife briefings, and educational programs for school groups and families.
- Hiking & Nature Trails
Marked paths ranging from easy, paved walks to rugged backcountry routes, blazed with color-coded markers and difficulty ratings.
- Campgrounds
Tent and RV sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Some include full electric hookups, reservable through Recreation.gov.
- Swimming Areas / Beaches
Designated swim zones with seasonal lifeguard coverage. Daily water quality reports are posted at the entrance and online.
- Wildlife Observation Areas
Elevated viewing platforms and camouflaged blinds positioned near wetlands, meadows, and migration corridors for undisturbed wildlife watching.
- Picnic Shelter
- horseback
Required Permits
VEHICLE PERMITSRequired
Permits required; purchase at park office or online at mndnr.gov/permit.
Alerts & Advisories
Stay informed before heading out
Safety Tips
Safety Advisory
- The primary safety advisories for Lake Charles State Park center on un-lifeguarded swimming and ongoing environmental impacts.
- Visitors should swim at their own risk, as no lifeguards are on duty at the sandy beach.
Popular/Nearby Trails
Interpretive Hiking (Maple Basswood Trail)
Hiking (Hidden Lake Trail)
Hiking (Red Oak Trail)
Hiking/Horseback (Forestry Trail)
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking/Horseback (Prairie Ridge Trail)
Hiking/Horseback (Prairie Pothole Trail)
Hiking/Horseback
Hiking/Horseback (Hilltop Trail)
Interpretive Hiking (Prairie Restoration Trail)
Hiking/Horseback (Long Prairie River Trail)
Nearby Viewpoints
Picnic Area
0.2 mi
Swimming Beach
Swimming
0.2 mi
Amphitheater
0.7 mi
Overlook
0.8 mi
Wildlife Observation Area
Wildlife
0.9 mi
Wildlife Observation Area
Wildlife
1.2 mi
Nearby Points of Interest
Reviews & Ratings
Community Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Lake Carlos State Park?
Lake Carlos State Park is open every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
What is Lake Carlos State Park?
Established in 1937, the park holds 1,154 acres with rolling hardwood forests, prairie meadows, wetlands and over a mile of lakeshore. Visit the park to swim, fish, boat, hike, camp or horseback ride.
Where is Lake Carlos State Park located?
Lake Carlos State Park is located in Alexandria, Minnesota, United States.
How many trails are there at Lake Carlos State Park?
Lake Carlos State Park has 12 mapped trails covering 12.4 miles in total. The longest is Hiking (Hidden Lake Trail) at 2.5 miles.
What is there to see at Lake Carlos State Park?
Places to see at Lake Carlos State Park include Swimming Beach, Wildlife Observation Area, Camper Cabin, Dock, Equestrian Camp, Group Camp (Lakeview) and 3 more.
What facilities are available at Lake Carlos State Park?
Facilities at Lake Carlos State Park include Campgrounds, Drinking Water Fountains, Hiking & Nature Trails, horseback, Paved Parking Lots, Picnic Areas & Shelters, Picnic Shelter, Restrooms / Flush Toilets and 3 more.
Is there parking at Lake Carlos State Park?
Yes, Lake Carlos State Park has parking (Paved Parking Lots).
Can I camp at Lake Carlos State Park?
Yes, Lake Carlos State Park has 3 campsites marked on its map: Campground (Lower), Campground (Upper) and Group camp (Poineer).
How can I contact Lake Carlos State Park?
You can contact Lake Carlos State Park by phone at 8886466367.
What safety tips should visitors to Lake Carlos State Park know?
The primary safety advisories for Lake Charles State Park center on un-lifeguarded swimming and ongoing environmental impacts. Visitors should swim at their own risk, as no lifeguards are on duty at the sandy beach. Additionally, severe drought conditions have significantly lowered the lake's water levels, leaving boat ramps and fishing piers sitting on dry ground and exposing underwater logs, which makes normal watercraft launching and pier fishing temporarily impossible. Lastly
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