Carley State Park is a Minnesota state park near Altura, covering 209 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 209acres
- Alturamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Fishing/trout stream
- Spring wildflowers
- Hiking
- White pine stands
- Bluebells in May
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Beauty and quiet, that is the essence of Carley State Park. In the spring, delicate bluebells (Mertensia virginica), and other wildflowers carpet the valley with a profusion of color. Hike along the trail that follows the Whitewater River and take in the grand old white pines. Listen for the sweet song of orioles, song sparrows, house wrens, and indigo buntings.
Wildlife. The park's hardwood forest and adjacent farmland is home to white-tailed deer, beaver, coyotes, red and gray fox, pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, and many migratory songbirds.
History. The park was established in 1949 with land donated by James A. Carley and the Ernestina Bolt family. The park is named after State Senator James A. Carley, who represented Minnesota's Third District for 36 years.
Geology. Beginning 450 million years ago, a shallow sea covered much of North America, including what is now southeastern Minnesota.
Visit Facts
- Addressc/o Whitewater State Park 19041 Highway 74 Altura, MN 55910
- Phone507-312-2300
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis park does not have office hours. For information contact Whitewater State Park.
- Emailwhitewater.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.10992, -92.16943 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Carley State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | Five miles | The trail passes along the north branch of the Whitewater River. Excellent spring wildflower viewing along trails. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | — |
| Winter | Other | 2 miles of ungroomed cross-country ski trails | — |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 20 secluded and wooded sites | — |
| RV Length Limit | 30 feet | Length is from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Group Camp | Two sites | Both group camp sites are a short hike from the parking area. Vault toilets, hand pump for water, picnic tables, and fire rings available. Tents only. Site #1 accommodates up to 20 people, Site #2 accommodates up to 15 people. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Stream | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | Picnic tables and grills. Also a play area with swings. |
| Picnic Shelter | Open shelter | — |
| Playground | Swings in picnic area | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | The park office is located 15 miles away, at Whitewater State Park. |
| Firewood | — | Self-service. Available behind the entrance kiosk. |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
Approximately 15 miles northeast of Rochester, or 4 miles south of Plainview on Wabasha County Road 4.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Whitewater State ParkState Park, about 7 miles away in a straight line
- John A. Latsch State ParkState Park, about 17 miles away in a straight line
- Frontenac State ParkState Park, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkState Park, about 33 miles away in a straight line
- Great River Bluffs State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Louise State ParkState Park, about 43 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In South Lakes & Bluff Country
- Lake Pepin
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
- Frontenac State Park
- Great River Bluffs State Park
- John A. Latsch State Park
- Lake Louise State Park
- Myre-Big Island State Park
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- Rice Lake State Park
- Events in South Lakes & Bluff Country
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carley State Park?
It is near Altura, Minnesota. The DNR address is c/o Whitewater State Park 19041 Highway 74 Altura, MN 55910.
How much does it cost to visit Carley State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Carley State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- Carley State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.