Lower Campground

Nice state park. Wood is still open. Good visitor center. Shaded trees but not much privacy. $32 with reservation fee but park entrance is still extra. Strong signal

Last minute stop at the end of October. The lower campground was empty except 2 sites. Lower campground is lake front. This time of year most amenities were not available. Vault toilet and garbage dumpsters available. Showers, Fish Cleaning, Dumping station closed. Wide boat access with some trailer parking at end of campground.
Campground is open between sites.
This was our first time here. We'd happily return during quiet season.
$25 for non-electric site. State Park pass required. $6 wood bundles.

The Lake Carlos lower campground is located lakeside. The lake had a nice breeze coming off of it during our stay and that kept most of the bugs away. Facilities were well maintained and clean. There was good kayaking and fishing on the lake and they have a nice launch for boats. The sites weren’t big but had enough space for most rigs. The sites all had electric only. The camping fee is high when you add in the nightly charge, reservation fee and park entrance fee.

Lake Carlos SP is about 10 miles north of Alexandria. It has two campgrounds: Upper and Lower. Lower is directly on the lake. The campground is fairly flat and is equipped with flush toilets, and a dump station. Many sites have electricity. The rate is $23 + $8 for electricity.

Camp sites are angled off surfaced access roads. Each site has a gravel vehicle pull off, picnic table and fire ring with grill. No Wi-Fi but cell service is present.

We made last minute reservations and ended up in site 108. Our site had a near perfect lake view. In looking around, I don't think there is a bad site in the whole campground.

The showers/bathrooms were really nice (not pay showers either).

The length of the campground is a very nice sandy bottom lake front and if you have a boat, you can tie it up right there. The boat launch is next to the campground.

You can rent canoes, kayaks and paddle boats at the office (there is a small marina nearby with a store if needed)

The campground was very well maintained, very quiet and well supervised.

The park has a very nice beach, two campgrounds (plus group areas and lots of good hiking.

Make plans in advance, this is a popular spot.