The best camping near Carley State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Carley adventure.

Discover Carley State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

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

Carley Campground

23 sites · RVs, Tents In Carley State Park

from

$15

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Carley State Park

88%

(13)

Lionheart

3 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Millville, MN

Our land is a unique find with a little bit of everything. With river access, you can enjoy swimming/water activities and wind down with the wildlife sounds and campfire crackle. We have a few standup paddle boards, and river tubes available to rent and farm fresh eggs to purchase and enjoy with your morning campfire breakfast. The best on the Zumbro! Come experience life outdoors on the river :)

100%

(10)

Aefintyr

13 sites · Lodging, Tents14 acres · Altura, MN

Aefintyr is a campground located on Whiskey Hill in the Whitewater River Valley near the town of Elba, MN. The land was used for personal recreation for several years. I've spent countless hours hiking and enjoying observing the seasons, plants, fungus and animals. The vision of a campground was inspired by many camping and backcountry spots throughout the United States, all of the amazing things in the woods, the beautiful blufftop valley views, proximity to a multitude of outdoor activities and adventures. Camps are spacious, secluded and designed to immerse guests in the surrounding woodland.

97%

(263)

The Edge

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Rochester, MN

This 160 acre farm used to be a sod farm, and then a Christmas tree farm. Camping provided is in the remnants of the uncut Christmas tree forest.

100%

(335)

Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Dakota, MN

This is a very private location. In its former life this property was a limestone quarry. Evidence of it's history remain with high rock walls on both ends of the property. In the center of the property is about 5 acres that is flat and covered with wildflowers and small trees. There are several good options for camping in this area. Surrounding this area is another 15 acres of hills and trees great for hiking and enjoying the beautiful view of the Mississippi River below. There is a boat ramp just a mile down the hill for boating or fishing on the Mississippi and the city of La Crosse, WI and La Crescent, MN are each only about a five minute drive. Great River Bluffs State Park and countless other recreational opportunities are just minutes away.

100%

(305)

Belle Creek Bluff

3 sites · Lodging, Tents28 acres · Welch, MN

Belle Creek Bluff is on 28 acres of prime land in Welch. Belle Creek runs through the middle of the property. Walk, swim, paddle, fish and explore the this beautiful spring fed trout stream. There are a number of hiking trails on the property. Bordering state lands to the east of the property provide endless exploration and hiking adventures. Hike to the top of the bluff for a spectacular view of Welch valley and the ski hill. Hiking NE along Belle Creek can you spot the old model A truck along the banks? There are eagles, falcons, finches, and many colorful birds to see.

100%

(360)

Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Houston, MN

Welcome ; Located in southeast Minnesota's Driftless region of hills, valleys, fields and forests, we are a grass based working dairy farm with over 100 acres of woodland, including an extensive trail system and campsites in our wooded acres. What makes this woodland special is it's quiet, secluded setting and over 6 miles of hiking / skiing trails. Our farmstead sits three quarter of a mile off the paved county highway on our well maintained gravel driveway. Each of our campsites are secluded from the others with their own sawdust compost toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces, and firewood. Two of our sites require 4WD with a minimum of 6 inches ground clearance to access, and two are accessible with 2WD. If you do not have 4WD we can help transport your gear while you enjoy the walk in. There are plenty of woodland birds, deer, turkeys, raccoons and squirrels sharing the woods with you. At night it is common for owls to visit the campsite area to say hello, and coyotes talking in the distance. The winding trails through 100 acres of woodland offer a variety of woodland habitats, from Old growth Maple to mixed hardwood, to dense brush, to the edges of open pastureland. Bring your fat bike or mountain bike for an enjoyable ride. For winter users there is a mix of easy, moderate, and challenging winter cross country skiing or snowshoeing / hiking on the property. However the Rock Bottom Cabin is our only heated and insulated site and is available for winter booking. Winter access is walk in only with snow on the ground or in the forecast. We can help transport gear. This property is part of a working pasture-based dairy farm and guided tours of the dairy and cattle are available when scheduling allows. Children 12 and younger are free at our campsites. No need to be counted as guests , but please let us know when requesting to book. We do not allow non-booked visitors to our campsites due to the secluded, remote location, and accessibility.

98%

(156)

The Double J

5 sites · RVs, Tents71 acres · MN

Welcome to the Double J! Of the 71 acres we own, about half is tillable and the other half is woods and pastures for our horses. Within that, there is a beautiful secluded 3-acre meadow nestled down along along a beautiful 1,200 foot stretch of the Zumbro River where we have 5 spacious tent/RV campsites. While the campsites are all adjacent to each other along the river, they are each very spacious (the smallest being 100' wide and 75' deep), with some mature trees scattered around. Each sites (except Site #1) is able to accommodate up to 8 people and more than one tent or RV. There is a small meadow above all the sites where campers can play catch or other games. We provide and maintain a centrally located outhouse and keep the entire area mowed throughout the year. All sites offer great shade trees (perfectly spaced for hanging up a hammock) and access to the river - great for those hot summer days! Water activities to be enjoyed include fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing (equipment not included). Some campers will drop in upstream at the Covered Bridge Park and float down to their campsite (Note there is a large log jam or two that will require portaging around). The Zumbro River, especially in the fishing hole, offers great fishing including Trout, Small-mouth, Red-horse, and an occasional Northern or Sauger. Campers are welcome to to meander out into our pasture to pet our two horses, Shiloh and Champ. Also, we are only 1.5 miles from town where you can visit Covered Bridge Park which has a Frisbee golf course and a nice play area for younger kids. Reserving adjacent sites, or all of the sites, makes for the ideal setting for a large family or group camp-out. In order to prevent overcrowding, we do reserve the right to limit number of sites, or campers per site based on overall parties/campers in the camping area. We will notify you if there are any limits prior to confirming your booking. We enjoy being able to share our property with others, and it is our desire to promote a safe, peaceful, family-friendly environment, therefore, be sure to note, we do have a NO ALCOHOL policy. PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read the "RV Details" on the site information page as the road to the camping area may limit the type or size of RV due to a couple dips, a sharper curve, and it's steeper slope. Also, keep in mind, we reserve the right to cancel any reservations due to heavy rains or floods that may require our sites some additional time to dry out sufficiently. For updates and notice of last minute cancellations be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DoubleJCamping Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to being able to serve you!

Booked 1 time

Slice Of Heaven

3 sites · Lodging2 acres · Oronoco, MN

Welcome to our beautiful riverside camping retreat, where relaxation and nature await! Tucked away behind the main property at the bottom of the hill, this secluded oasis offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape, with the main river flowing on the southern side of the property. Depending on water levels, you can easily access the river by foot, allowing for peaceful walks along its tranquil shores. Your accommodations include an inviting 18ft yurt equipped with four cozy cots and electricity, ensuring a comfortable night's rest surrounded by nature's tranquility. There is plenty of room to setup another personal tent. Gather around the fire pit with outpost grill for evenings filled with laughter and delicious meals cooked over an open flame. Venture out and explore the property's amenities, including a charming treehouse, yard games, swing, propane grill, and outdoor bathroom. Whether you're seeking adventure or simply craving a moment of peace and relaxation, our riverside camping retreat offers the perfect setting for your next getaway.

99%

(250)

Bluff Hollow Camp on the Root River

1 site · RV, Tent8 acres · Stewartville, MN

The property is one of a kind. The Driftless Region starts right here in SE Minnesota. It is secluded with mature trees, beautiful bluffs, fishing, kayaking! It is a nature lovers dream!

100%

(67)

Gossman Goat Grazing Ranch

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents42 acres · Preston, MN

We have a lovely piece of property to come enjoy a getaway at. We enjoy all of the peace and quiet around here. The night sky is unbeatable in my eyes. We have a small hobby farm with lots of very tame animals. We have 42 acres to roams with lots of trails within the woods that are filled with aged oak trees and many young maple trees. Our property is filled with lots of wild flowers and wildlife. We are locate 3 miles from the root river if you enjoy fishing or going for a float down the river. There are two caves in our area that are a must see while you are visiting. I you like to hike there is a state park 14 minutes from us that have many miles of hiking trails and horse trails. If you are more the small town strolling type of person we have lots of small towns around us that are filled with shops and lots of great food! There is a large system of bike trails in our area that make a very fun way to check out some of the small towns. If you have a family with kids we have a lot of fun activities you can do with your kids, like spending time with the goats, chickens and ducks, playing on our playground, or taking a nice walk through the woods looking for fossils!

99%

(316)

Ranch Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Winona, MN

Our ranch has been in our family for 14 years and prior to that belonged to one family for over 200 years. Jolene (me, - owner) and my two sons, Riley and Logan put a lot of time and dedication into our ranch. Our ranch is located on 40 acres where anyone can find their little piece of “peace.” We pride ourselves on taking excellent care of our guests, making them feel at home the instant they step onto our land. We will do our best to accommodate your needs in any way possible. Our WIFI is not always 100% reliable. If you absolutely need WIFI at all times during your stay, please bring another option with you, such as a hotspot on your cell phone, in case ours is not dependable. From the crew who loves to share a little piece of our life on Stone Roller Road, – Jolene, Riley, Logan, Scotch (the yellow lab) Hops (the chocolate lab) and Scrappy (the late ranch dog)

100%

(27)

New Hartford trout camp

1 site · RV, Tent48 acres · Dakota, MN

Secluded valley site located where two trout streams come together. There is a large section of private access, as well as 1 mile of public access to the trout stream.

The best camping near Carley State Park guide

Overview

About

For visitors to the always-hoppin' Whitewater State Park, nearby sister camp Carley State Park offed the perfect escape from all the noise. Peaceful and rustic, this park provides the perfect tranquil backdrop for stressed out escapees from the Twin Cities, yogis & meditators, or just anyone who digs rustic camping. Hand-pump water, horseshoes, and adjacent farmland ramp up the Midwestern vibes. Sounds and sightings of beavers, deer, fox, owls, and woodpeckers abound, and towering white pines keep out any hint of the real world (leave the iPhone in the car). If you can, go in the springtime to see the vibrant smattering of bluebells that blankets the park.

When to go

The best time to visit Carley State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers full access to all park activities, but be prepared for busier trails and campsites. Winter can be harsh, so check conditions if you're planning a cold-weather adventure.

Know before you go

Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative GPS coordinates to reach different park areas.
Check in at your campsite; park staff will visit for registration.
Google Maps may misdirect; use provided directions to avoid closed routes.
For assistance, call 651-296-6157.