Summary
Situated near the town of Wahoo, the park boasts a 40-acre lake that is ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming. The area is also known for its scenic trails, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
One of the main reasons to visit Pibel Lake State Recreation Area is the abundance of recreational activities available. Visitors can enjoy fishing for catfish, bass, and crappie in the lake, or take a leisurely boat ride. The park also features several picnic areas and playgrounds, making it a great spot for families.
Other points of interest in the park include the hiking and biking trails, which wind through wooded areas and along the lake shore. Wildlife sightings are common, and visitors may spot deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.
Interesting facts about Pibel Lake State Recreation Area include the history of the lake, which was formed in the early 1900s by local farmers who dammed a small creek. Today, the lake is a popular spot for water sports and recreation.
The best time of year to visit Pibel Lake State Recreation Area depends on your interests. Fishing is typically best in the spring and fall, while summer is a popular time for swimming and boating. The park is also beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change color and the weather is mild.
Weather Forecast
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