Summary
The park offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. The scenic lake in the park is a popular spot for fishing, with a variety of fish species found in the waters.
One of the most popular attractions in the park is the 100-acre lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish species, including crappie, catfish, and bass. Visitors can rent boats or bring their own to fish or explore the lake. The park also has several hiking trails that offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding area.
In addition to outdoor recreation, the park offers several picnic areas and a playground for families to enjoy. The park also has a modern campground with electrical hookups, showers, and a dump station.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was established in 1984 and covers over 1,000 acres. The park was named after the county it is located in, which is named after Colonel James H. Ford, who was a prominent figure in the early history of the state.
The best time of year to visit Ford County State Park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its best. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy in every season.
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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.
Related References