Lake Carlos State Park is part of western Minnesota's diverse landscape, with glacial lakes and hardwood forests spread across gently rolling terrain. The area typically receives 30 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush conditions throughout the summer camping season. Equestrian campers can find dedicated facilities at several parks within a 60-mile radius of Carlos.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Lake Carlos State Park offers extensive hiking options beyond the horse trails. "The trails are very wooded and pretty. We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer," notes a visitor at Lake Carlos State Park Campground.
Swimming and water sports: Clear lakes provide excellent swimming opportunities. At Glacial Lakes State Park Campground, campers appreciate the pristine water: "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm." The swimming beach at Sibley State Park is particularly popular with families: "Beautiful swimming beach short walk from campground."
Winter activities: Several parks offer year-round camping with winter sports. Lake Carlos State Park maintains one electric site available in winter and hosts special events: "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail." Another visitor noted, "At dark we headed to the candlelight event. It was very busy and a huge turnout. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles."
What campers like
Lake access: Waterfront campsites rank highly among visitor favorites. A Lake Carlos reviewer shared, "Nice large campground. There is a lower portion and upper portion with the lower campground being lakefront." Another noted, "The campground itself was located very close to the lake and offered nice amenities and privacy between sites."
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. At Maplewood State Park Campground, visitors often spot animals on the trails: "We saw beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers." The park's varied terrain creates multiple habitat types: "This western park offers miles of hiking with the North Country Trail weaving throughout."
Camper cabins: For those seeking alternatives to tent or RV camping near Carlos, Minnesota, multiple parks offer cabins. A visitor to Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park noted, "We were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous! Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity."
What you should know
Ticks and insects: Prairie and wooded areas both present tick concerns. A Glacial Lakes visitor warned, "Site was a bit buggy, but very manageable with bug spray and a Thermacell. The bugs on the hiking trails were unrelenting even with lots of deet bug spray." Another camper noted, "Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time."
Campsite privacy varies: Site selection significantly impacts experience. At Pomme De Terre Campground, campers find "Pretty nice campground with water and electric. Some sites are a little difficult to get into but not impossible." For equestrian camping near Carlos, Minnesota, sites typically have less privacy: "Sites in the equestrian section remain very open with minimal privacy between camping areas."
Seasonal flooding: River and lakeside campgrounds can experience high water. One Pomme De Terre camper reported, "We stayed on the Pittsburgh side and found the campground amazing! Until it flooded. We were evacuated and moved to higher ground." Water levels affect amenities too: "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use."
Tips for camping with families
Beach quality: Lakes with clean, clear water provide the best swimming. At Glacial Lakes State Park, "The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm." For a more developed beach experience: "We did go into Starbuck which is 5 miles away. Very impressive beach, groceries and a DQ all an easy drive away."
Nature programming: Several parks offer educational activities. At El Rancho Manana, "On site horseback riding was great," making it perfect for families wanting to experience horses without bringing their own. Lake Carlos State Park features a nature center that families appreciate: "Nature center is really good and all of the staff are great and friendly."
Group facilities: For larger family gatherings, specialized sites offer additional amenities. One Lake Carlos visitor reported, "Group camping comes with its own bathroom building and shelter building with wood stove. The water is quite clean. Also there's even hot water in the bathroom."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: Choose appropriately sized sites with adequate hookups. Lake Carlos campers advise, "The sites here are spacious and cozy at the same time. Feels like we are deep in the forest but civilization is close enough for WiFi!" For equestrian camping near Carlos, Minnesota, select sites that accommodate both rig and trailer.
Winter camping options: Limited winter sites require advance planning. At Lake Carlos, "They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent." Maplewood State Park also offers year-round camping with adequate access for winter RVers.
