Summary
The park spans over 1,000 acres and includes a 625-acre man-made lake. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and swimming.
One of the main attractions at Lake Hudson is the fishing. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. There are also several fishing piers and boat launches available for visitors.
Hiking is another popular activity at Lake Hudson. The park has several trails, including the 3.5-mile Island Trail and the 1.5-mile Dam Trail. Both trails offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding woodlands.
For those interested in camping, Lake Hudson offers both primitive and modern campsites. The modern sites include electricity, water, and sewage hookups, while the primitive sites are more secluded and offer a more rustic camping experience.
Interesting facts about Lake Hudson include that it was created in the 1930s as part of a federal project to control flooding in the area. The lake was named after George Hudson, who was a state senator from Toledo.
The best time of year to visit Lake Hudson is during the summer months when the weather is warm and conducive to outdoor activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities during the fall and winter months as well.
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