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.
Enjoy the picnic area, play on the swings or practice softball. Try your hand at
horseshoes or sit back and see a red-tailed hawk ride thermals in the sky. The
north branch of the Whitewater River is a designated trout stream and provides
habitat for brown trout. Rustic campsites are located near the picnic area.
Quick stats:
209 acres
17,595 annual visits
2,493 overnight visits
Naturalist:
The best way to learn more about Carley State Park is to stop at the park
office for a map and information about the park. There is a self-guided
interpretive trail that follows the river and highlights several of the parks
significant sites. Although the park does not have a naturalist on staff,
activities are offered occasionally.
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 Dakota Indians once hunted, farmed and gathered wild food in and around
the Whitewater River Valley. They gave the Whitewater River its name because the
river turned a murky white color in the spring as high water eroded the light
colored clay of the valley floor. In 1851, the United States government and the
Dakota Indians signed a treaty that opened most of southern Minnesota for
European settlers. The nearest settlement to the park, Plainview, was named for
the large, upland fields of prairie grass that surrounded the river valley. The
land for the park was donated to the State of Minnesota in 1948 by State Senator
James A. Carley and the Ernestina Bolt family in hopes of preserving an
outstanding grove of native white pines. In 1957, a severe hailstorm ravaged the
trees. The stand of white pines towers in the steep, rugged valley of the
Whitewater River, opposite the picnic area, and can be seen from the trail
observation platform.
Geology
Beginning 450 million years ago, a shallow sea covered much of North America,
including what is now southeastern Minnesota. Layers of sediment, hundreds of
feet thick, were deposited on the sea bed and became cemented together to form
the limestone bedrock. Although this area was not covered by the last glaciers,
the effect of that period on the landscape is striking. Glacial action caused
the formation of huge amounts of powdered rock and fine particles from its
constant grinding. These fine particles, blown by the wind after the retreat of
the glacier, were deposited over southeastern Minnesota in a thick blanket of
soil known as loess. The surrounding rich farmland is a testament to the
benefits of this soil type.
Landscape
Carley State Park is located in the Bluffland Landscape Region. Towering
white pines stand amid an oak forest at this beautiful park. Delicate
wildflowers bloom in April and May and the trail winds around the north branch
of the Whitewater River.
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