Madeline Bertrand Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Madeline Bertrand Park is a 113-acre park located in St.


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Summary

Joseph County, Indiana. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and camping. The park's main attraction is the St. Joseph River, which runs through the park and provides opportunities for fishing and boating.

Some specific points of interest within the park include the historic Bertrand Farmhouse, which dates back to the 1840s and is open for tours, as well as a butterfly garden and a disc golf course. The park also has several picnic shelters available for rent, as well as a campground with RV and tent sites.

Interesting facts about the park include its namesake, Madeline Bertrand, who was a French-Canadian fur trader and one of the area's earliest settlers. The park was named in her honor in 1957. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of birds.

The best time of year to visit Madeline Bertrand Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and visitors can take advantage of the park's many outdoor activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for hiking and other activities during the fall and winter months as well.

Overall, Madeline Bertrand Park is a beautiful and historic park that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking to hike, fish, or simply enjoy a picnic with family and friends, this park is definitely worth a visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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