Plan Your Adventure To Carley State Park, MN

Carley State Park, is always my go-to park. Mainly because of how close it is to my house but also because it is usually not very busy. There are hills, water crossings, & it is certainly lush with green plants & trees everywhere!

This park requires a pass (as all MN State Parks do), there are campsites available, pit toilets on some of the trail heads, & as always practice LNT while visiting.

1 of many water crossings at Carley — Water crossing on the lower loop

When I visit Carley State Park, I park my vehicle at the first Historic Site after the entrance & start there. Considering how tiny the park is, I usually do a loop that leads me back to my vehicle. I take two rights before I am on my usual loop & then the trail takes me across the North Branch of the Whitewater River & the loop keeps me along the river the majority of the trail.

Summertime Wildflowers — Wildflowers along the trail

This loop that I take is about a couple miles long, includes two gradual inclines & the back end can be muddy if it has rained recently. I rarely cross paths with anyone during the week when I visit but during the weekends can be busy because of the campers & with it being a smaller park.

Carley State Park Map

To view more details about Carley State Park here is the link to the website: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

What’s Nearby:

There is a town– Plainview Minnesota about 10mins from this park.
- In Plainview: Kwik Trip, Bennett’s Grocery Store, Dairy Queen, Cabin Coffee, Subway, & a few other places.
Whitewater State Park is 15mins east of Carley — check out my Whitewater State Park Guide
Elba Fire Tower & Lookout is also 15mins east.