Lake Carlos State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lake Carlos State Park WPA/Rustic Style Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
The Lake Carlos State Park bath house.
Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Douglas County, Minnesota, Off MN 29 at NW end of Lake Carlos
Nearest city	Carlos, Minnesota
MPS	Minnesota State Park CCC/WPA/Rustic Style MPS
NRHP reference No.	89001654
Added to NRHP	July 2, 1992

Lake Carlos State Park is a cool state park located in Minnesota, USA. It's about 10 miles north of Alexandria, Minnesota. The park was created in 1937 to give people a fun place to relax and enjoy nature. It's a popular spot for tourists from Minnesota and nearby states.

Discover Lake Carlos State Park

Lake Carlos State Park is a great place to explore the outdoors. You can find it near the beautiful Lake Carlos, which is where the park gets its name. The park offers many activities for visitors of all ages.

What Animals Live Here?

When you visit Lake Carlos State Park, keep your eyes open for amazing wildlife! You might spot beavers busy building their homes. Deer are often seen roaming through the woods. Look for birds like loons, grebes, and different kinds of ducks and herons near the water. It's a fantastic spot for nature lovers and bird watchers!

Park History and Special Buildings

Lake Carlos State Park has an interesting history. It was established in 1937, which means it's been around for a long time! Some of the buildings in the park are very old and special. They were built by a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a program that helped people find jobs during a tough time in history.

These buildings were made in a style called "Rustic Style." This means they look natural and fit in with the park's environment, often using wood and stone. Five of these buildings are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Park Structures

Some of these historic buildings include:

• The Mess Hall and Crafts Building: These are found in the group camp area, where groups can stay together.
• The water tower: This tall structure helps provide water to the park.
• The sanitation building: This building helps keep the park clean.
• The bath house: This is a place where visitors can change and get ready for swimming.

These buildings show us a piece of history and how parks were built many years ago.

Why is it Called Lake Carlos?

The lake that the park is named after, Lake Carlos, got its name from a friend of one of the first people to settle in the area. It's a nice way to remember someone important from the past!