The best camping near Lake Carlos State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Carlos State Park adventure.

100% (1 reviews)

Discover Lake Carlos State Park's natural beauty and outdoor fun.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Lake Carlos State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Carlos State Park

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Rusty Star Ranch Riverview

2 sites · RVs, Tents34 acres · Melrose, MN

The Rusty Star Ranch is nestled along side the Sauk River. The site is slightly elevated which give you a picturesque view of the river and the natural beauty of country scenery. Perfect access to the river if you want to enjoy canoeing, kayaking or fishing. Level sites for campingLearn more about this land:On the banks of the Sauk River. Kayaking. Tubing, bicycle access to the Wobegon trail. Fishing for pike. The view over the river is breathtaking at sunset

84%

(22)

Maplewood RV Park and Camp

3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Erhard, MN

Located SE of Maplewood State Park, this region is known for the distinct landscape formed from glacial till. Framed by natural forest, rolling hills, wetlands, and mature pines, this site provides the feeling of seclusion. Centrally located just minutes from large bodies of water such as Heilberg, Star, Lida, and Dead Lake.

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Lower Elk Lake - Full RV Hookup

1 site · RV2 acres · Hoffman, MN

Full hookup RV site on a natural environment lake and 2 acres to spread out. The site is just a short drive on a well maintained gravel dead end road. The bay is very shallow so unfortunately fishing and swimming are not recommended. The view of the lake and gentle slope to the lake make it a perfect setting for your RV. For reference, the site is roughly 25 miles west of Alexandria, 90 miles north west of St. Cloud and 155 miles north west of Minneapolis.

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Fish Trap Oasis

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Cushing, MN

Come relax and restore at a quiet lakeside camp spot on Fish Trap Lake! The property is perfect for any small group campers or RVers who want private lake views. The property is next to a government nature preserve and located near various cabins. Fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing and swimming can all be enjoyed on Fish Trap Lake. We are less than a mile from the boat launch on Lake Alexander which is great for fishing.

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Swan Lake Resort & Campground

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents17 acres · Fergus Falls, MN

⛺️ Since 1949, we've been a family-operated resort & campground on Swan Lake in Fergus Falls, MN. We offer lakeside cabins, tent camping, and full hook-up, pull-through RV sites. Here, there is time to slow down, room to breathe, and lots to explore. 🏖️ Soak up the sun on the sandy beach, hike through the hidden trails, and take the pontoon out for a cruise. Be sure to turn the tech off and challenge a rival to ping pong, crack a cold one, and explore the water on stand-up paddleboard. 🍦 Bring the little ones and get messy at the arts & crafts table, catch a sunfish off the docks, and indulge in s’mores around the campfire. Don’t forget to show us what you got on the volleyball court and savor an ice cream at the camp store. Curl up in a hammock and get lost in a good book, smile at the flowers and gaze in awe at the night sky. Just be.

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Oak Knoll

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Fergus Falls, MN

A pop up camper on 2 wooded acres on private Tonseth Lake with a small fishing boat is the perfect spot for a family get away. This large pop up has room for 4 adults and 2-4 kids, and the sight has space for your own tent as well. This lot does not have electricity or water, so you will need to plan accordingly. We do have a Porta potty. There is no boat launch capability on our lot, but we include our 14 ft fishing boat and electric trolling motor for your enjoyment. This lot is our family's summer get away, and wanted to make it available for others to use.

Booked 8 times

Canary Beach Resort

32 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Villard, MN

The past 100 years have given us the experience to make every detail of your Minnesota lake vacation memorable and relaxing! We are a family-friendly resort, operated as a family, and open all four seasons of the year. We offer 11 comfortable and immaculate lakefront cabins and vacation homes set on a thousand feet of pristine, sandy shoreline along Lake Villard. We are the fifth generation of families to own and operate Canary Beach Resort and have made it into the popular, award-winning year-round lake vacation destination that it is today. Canary Beach Resort has been awarded the 2022 Readers' Choice Award for Best Family Resort by our readers! We have also been mentioned in Minnesota Monthly, AAA Magazine, featured in Lakes and Loons, and in the Pope County Tribune, to name a few. Canary Beach Resort is also the winner of the Minnesota Resort and Campground 2016 Resort Operators of the Year award, in recognition of our passion for excellence in hospitality. We take pride in maintaining our property and cabins so that you and your family can relax and enjoy your time at the lake. It’s our goal to make our place at the lake, your place at the lake!

Walleye Retreat On Lake Osakis

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Osakis, MN

Staying at this centrally-located cabin ensures your family is close to everything. It's less than 15 minutes away from Alexandria, nestled among numerous lakes, with hundreds of miles of bike and snowmobile trails accessible by foot or bike from our cabin. Osakis is charming, offering everything you need within walking distance. You can bring your boat and dock it from mid-May to the end of September. Feel free to use our kayaks, or rent a boat in the area! Enjoy snowmobiling or ice fishing? Our new furnace will keep you cozy after a day in the cold! Our cabin can sleep 6 comfortably and we have one full bathroom.

Swift Falls County Park

23 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Benson, MN

The Swift Falls County Park is located on the banks of the Chippewa River in the village of Swift Falls, Minnesota. The park is open for camping from May to October and online registration is available below. Swift Falls Park is a great place to hike, fish, or enjoy the playground. Pets are allowed. Need Firewood? Firewood can be purchased from the white building across the river (over the bridge) by the dam.

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Alexandria Lakes Area Camp

6 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Alexandria, MN

This property is unavailable until farther notice. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

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Andes RV Park

3 sites · Lodging, RVs800 acres · Kensington, MN

Our new RV Park was opened in 2023 and features 45 full hook up spots, bath/shower house, kids play area, Pickle ball court (coming Mid July 2023), and over 800 acres of trails to enjoy. We have 2 small bodies of water accessible by our trail system that are great for kayaking and fishing. Come enjoy the outdoors with us today!

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Wold Ranch

1 site · RV5 acres · Belgrade, MN

Pause your travels for the night or spend a few days. Conveniently located right off US Hwy 71 or 20 miles from I-94. This is a level RV site able to accommodate big rigs, 50amp service and water. We are a working family farm. Enjoy the horses , cows, cats, and dog. Patio with shade and fire ring located next to site.

The best camping near Lake Carlos State Park guide

Overview

About

You can thank the glaciers for this one. Long, long ago, those big chunks of ice gave way to Minnesota’s Lake Carlos State Park. Now, in it’s 21st-century state, this park is a wilderness wonderland that has everything you could want: woodland ponds, acres of forest, tamarack bogs, wide-open grasslands, marshes, meadows, lakes, prairies, rolling hills, way-high ridges, the list could go on and on. These clear and pristine waters are surrounded by beauty in all forms, which gives way to seriously endless possibilities when it comes to fun and activities. With everything being within a few minutes of each other, this is the perfect spot to bring a bunch of friends and grab one of the awesome lakeside group spots! Over one-third of Minnesota’s wildlife lives here, so if they love it, we know you will find something to love about Lake Carlos, too.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Carlos State Park is during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall, when all activities are fully accessible. Winter offers a serene, snowy escape, though some amenities may be limited. Avoid visiting during extreme weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Know before you go

Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative directions provided to access different park areas.
Google Maps may mislead; use provided GPS coordinates for accurate navigation.
Check in at your campsite; park staff will assist with registration.
Stay updated on events by signing up for the park's email updates.
Contact the park at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 for any inquiries.