Summary
One of the main reasons to visit the park is its 2,593-acre lake, which is perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming. The park also features several hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
One of the most popular points of interest at Burr Oak State Park is the Burr Oak Lodge and Conference Center, which offers comfortable accommodations and stunning views of the lake. Visitors can also explore the historic Burr Oak Cemetery, which features graves dating back to the early 1800s.
Interesting facts about the park include its role in the development of the Ohio River Valley, where it provided a resting spot for travelers and settlers. The park also features several species of rare plants and animals, including the Northern Copperhead snake and the Indiana bat.
The best time of year to visit Burr Oak State Park is in the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is perfect for swimming and boating. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors and in the winter when visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
Overall, Burr Oak State Park is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
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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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Burr Oak State Park
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Burr Oak Cove Campground
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Chestnut Grove Camp Site
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