Carnelian Park
Rate this placeNearby: Peridot Path Park Highline Trail Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Carnelian Park is a popular recreational area located in the state of Minnesota.
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Summary
It is situated along the eastern side of the St. Croix River and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and boating.
One of the main reasons to visit Carnelian Park is its scenic beauty. The park is surrounded by lush forested areas and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the St. Croix River and its surrounding bluffs.
Some specific points of interest to see at Carnelian Park include the historic stone arch bridge, which was constructed in 1895 and spans the St. Croix River. There are also several hiking trails within the park, including the popular Brown's Creek State Trail, that offer picturesque views of the river and surrounding natural areas.
Interesting facts about Carnelian Park include its historic significance as a site where Native American tribes once gathered to trade and socialize. The park was also used as a filming location for the popular television show, "Little House on the Prairie."
The best time to visit Carnelian Park is during the warmer months, from May to September, when visitors can take advantage of the many outdoor recreational activities offered at the park. However, the park is also open year-round and is a popular spot for winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Carnelian Park is a beautiful and historically significant destination that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and stunning views of the St. Croix River.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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