Go RVing To Lake Carlos State Park
Minnesota is famous as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so it’s naturally an ideal RV road trip destination for anyone who enjoys being on or near the water. That 10,000 figure can be a bit overwhelming, though – how are you supposed to pick a lake to go RVing to? Making it even harder, Minnesota actually has an official11,842 lakes for locals and visitors to enjoy.
To help you narrow down your many, many options for lakefront spots to accommodate an RV rental,look into Minnesota’s wonderful state parks. One that stands out due to its beautiful year-round campsites, plentiful amenities and wide range of recreation options is Lake Carlos State Park. It’s about halfway between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota, so you might visit during a longer road trip combined with other amazing destinations in the Upper Midwest.
Hugging the northern end of the deep, clear and pristine Lake Carlos, the park is a natural playground with lush green woodlands, sandy shores, and an abundance of wildlife. Imagine sitting in front of your RV in the morning with a cup of coffee, watching the sun come up over the water while white-tailed deer flit through the woods and snapping turtles bask on the rocks. It’s a great winter destination, too, perfect for ice fishing, snow-shoeing and other cold-weather fun.
What You’ll Find at Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos State Park has a rich and diverse ecology, sitting in a transition zone between coniferous forests and prairies. The lake itself, left behind by ancient retreating glaciers, is up to 150 feet deep in spots, with clear waters popular with boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. Its sandy shores will invite you, too.
If you’re not sure a beautiful lake and woodlands are quite enough to satisfy your desires for natural beauty, there are also pockets of tamarack bog, woodland ponds, marshes, and meadows to explore. If wildlife spotting or photography are things you enjoy when you go RVing, you’re in luck at Lake Carlos State Park. It’s home to a full third of Minnesota’s 80 mammal species, plus more than 150 bird species.
Getting to Lake Carlos State Park and Nearby Cities
The closest city to Lake Carlos State Park is Alexandria, just 10 miles south. A little farther away are the cities of Garfield and Parkers Prairie. While not major cities, all three offer a full range of shopping, dining, banking, and all other necessary services for you to prepare for your RV camping trip. Plus, their proximity can help alleviate any worries about potential emergencies. Lake Carlos State Park is serene without being genuinely remote.
Alexandria is off I-94, which leads directly to Minneapolis (140 miles southeast) and Fargo (110 miles northwest). From I-94, take County Road 38 to one of the state park’s two entrances. Inside the park, the roads remain wide and well-paved, so you don’t need to worry about piloting or parking even the largest of RVs.
If you’re visiting during the winter and the region experiences heavy snows—it’s common! —it’s a good idea to call the park office and check on road access.
Best Times to Visit Lake Carlos State Park
Minnesota has famously cold, snowy winters, yet locals don’t ever let that stop them from enjoying the great outdoors in all four seasons. Lake Carlos State Park is open year-round, and so is its campground. The peak season is May to October; outside these months some amenities are unavailable or limited, and some facilities are closed.
Here’s a summary of the typical (Fahrenheit) temperatures throughout the season in Minnesota:
- January: High of 24 and low of 7
- May: High of 70 and low of 48
- August: High of 80 and low of 61
- October: High of 59 and low of 39
The average annual snowfall in Minnesota is 36 to 70 inches.
Choosing the best time to go RVing to Lake Carlos State Park really comes down to personal preferences and the types of activities you wish to pursue. Peak season visitors enjoy boating, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding. In winter, ice-fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and other snow sports are in full-swing. It’s absolutely possible to camp and enjoy outdoor activities at Lake Carlos State Park throughout the year.
Stay and Play at Lake Carlos State Park Campground
The good news for campers who want to bring an RV rental to Lake Carlos State Park is that the park has its own campground with plenty of RV sites. It has 121 campsites in total, 81 of which have electrical hookups for RVs. These RV sites are split between the upper and lower campgrounds. Pets are welcome on a leash.
The lower campground is open year-round and is closer to the lake. It even has a few lakefront sites—book early to reserve one of these. The upper campground is open during peak season only. It’s quieter, with a wooded setting. You must back your RV in at these sites, and sites cannot accommodate RVs (or combined towing vehicles and trailers) over 50 feet. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and grills.
Peak-season campers have access to flush toilets and four shower buildings, two in each campground. There is also a seasonal dump station and potable water supply. Year-round amenities are limited to vault toilets. If you have a larger, well-equipped RV rental from RVnGo.com this might not be an issue!
Lake Carlos State Park Reservations and Fees
Lake Carlos State Park requires vehicle permits (in addition to camping fees), which you can buy online in advance. Choose a $7 one-day permit (which allows an overnight stay for campers) or an annual permit for $35, which gives you access to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for the year. If you don’t buy your permit online, you can do so upon arrival at a park office or self-service kiosk.
You can make reservations and pay for the state park campground online or over the phone up to 120 days before your RV trip. RV campsite fees range from $20 to $25 per night, plus $10 per night for electrical hookups. Also expect to pay a non-refundable campsite reservation fee per site of $7 online or $10 through the call center. There is no extra fee for same-day reservations.
Lake Carlos State Park Amenities
Lake Carlos State Park has a comprehensive set of amenities for campers and day-use visitors. The Park Office, which includes the Nature Store gift shop, is just inside the park entrance and open year-round. Visit here to chat with a park ranger and get advice about the best ways to spend your time in the park. You might rent a canoe, paddleboat and paddles, or life jackets in summer, or snowshoes in winter. Ask about free(!) rentals of fishing or ice-fishing kits, birding kits, or kids’ discovery kits. The Park Office is also the place to buy firewood and ice. During peak season, the park also has a Visitor Center featuring interpretive exhibits.
Best Things to Do in Lake Carlos State Park
Activities in Lake Carlos State Park depend greatly on the season, but they all focus on outdoor fun around the lake. There are hiking trails, including the self-guided Maple-Basswood Interpretive Trail and the Wetland Overlook Trail. Did you bring your bike? Traveling with your horses? Some trails are bike- and equestrian-friendly. In winter, the park offers a groomed cross-country skiing and snowmobile trail. If you’re not really used to outdoor fun when it’s so cold outside, plan to use the winter warming house—a picnic shelter partially enclosed with a wood-burning stove.
Summer weather invites lakefront fun on the sandy beach, as well as fishing, boating, and other water sports. If you love wildlife, pick up or download a bird checklist. Burn off some energy playing on the volleyball court or take a stroll around the park’s historic buildings. Check the events calendar for naturalist programs.
P.S. Don’t Forget Your RV Rental!
You can’t go RVing to Lake Carlos State Park without a trailer or RV! Choosing the best vehicle for your vacation needs is essential, so check out all the great RVs for rent in Minnesota at RVnGO.com.
Rent an RV with RVnGO today and start your great American road trip in style.
Check out America’s Top 20 National Parks for Your Summer Vacation. There are 19 other fabulous national parks to visit when you go RVing! Check them out.
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