Hodag Park park
Hodag Park
Hodag Park is a popular destination for visitors to Rhinelander and the surrounding area. The park features a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, and a beach for swimming and sunbathing. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating on Boom Lake, which is located adjacent to the park.
One of the main points of interest in Hodag Park is the Hodag statue, which is a large sculpture of a mythical creature that is said to inhabit the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The Hodag is a popular symbol of the area, and visitors can take photos with the statue as a fun souvenir.
In addition to the Hodag statue, visitors to Hodag Park can explore the nature trails that wind through the park's wooded areas. The trails offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding landscape, and are a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Northwoods.
The best time of year to visit Hodag Park depends on the visitor's interests. Summer is the most popular season, as the lake and beach are open for swimming and boating. Fall is also a beautiful time to visit, as the leaves change color and the park offers stunning views of the changing seasons. Winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing, while spring is a great time to see the park's wildlife and wildflowers.
Overall, Hodag Park is a great destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities of the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Hodag Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Lake County Park Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Otter Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Laurel Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Laurel Lake Recreation Area | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Hodag Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Hodag Park
What can I do at Hodag Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Hodag Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Hodag Park.