Carley State Park is one of the least visited in the state park system, but if you want to see spring wildflowers in Minnesota, there are few (if any, really) better places to visit. This is particularly true during bluebell season when the park is practically covered with them.

Carley State Park, at just over 200 acres, is one of the smallest parks in the Minnesota state park system.

James Kirkpatrick/Google It also receives far fewer visitors than most other parks.

But that’s also a big draw, because there are times you can visit and literally have all of the park’s five miles of trails to yourself.

Andrew Weiss/Google

Carley shares the Whitewater River with its larger, and more popular, neighbor, nearby Whitewater State Park.

farmecologist “farmecologist”/Google The park is open year-round, but Carley’s mixed hardwood-coniferous forest is particularly magnificent in the spring.

That’s when songbirds, like indigo buntings, return, and other plants and animals stir from their winter torpor.

Cecil E.J/Google

Most notably, perhaps, Carley explodes with wildflowers.

Jason Christensen/Google

Columbine, dutchman’s breeches, and bloodroot emerge and dapple the forest floor.

Stephen Escallier/Google

But it’s the bluebells that make springtime in Carley really special.

Nathan Juenemann/Google

In late April or early May, the bottoms and bluffs are simply blanketed as bluebells blossom.

Mai Thao/Google

A springtime hike among the bluebells is an experience you’re not likely to forget.

Fey Forlorn (In Search of Wild Onions)/Google

Check with a local ranger or visit the park’s website to find out when the peak time for wildflowers is. When in the area, be sure to take some time to visit and explore all that the charming small town of Plainview has to offer – you will not be disappointed.

James Kirkpatrick/Google

It also receives far fewer visitors than most other parks.

Andrew Weiss/Google

farmecologist “farmecologist”/Google

The park is open year-round, but Carley’s mixed hardwood-coniferous forest is particularly magnificent in the spring.

Cecil E.J/Google

Jason Christensen/Google

Stephen Escallier/Google

Nathan Juenemann/Google

Mai Thao/Google

Fey Forlorn (In Search of Wild Onions)/Google

Have you visited Carley State Park to see the bluebells or other spring wildflowers? What are some other places in the Land of 10,000 Lakes with an incredible natural wonder that we should know about?

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Address: Carley State Park, 50366 Wabasha County Rd 4, Plainview, MN 55964, USA