Bark River Park
Rate this placeNearby: Hartbrook Park Pembrook Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bark River Park is a beautiful park located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
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Summary
The park is well-known for its stunning natural beauty, gorgeous hiking trails, and abundance of wildlife.
There are many good reasons to visit Bark River Park. One of the main reasons is its natural beauty. The park is home to many different types of trees, including oak, hickory, and maple trees. There is also an abundance of wildlife in the park, including deer, foxes, and many different types of birds.
Bark River Park has many points of interest to see. The park is home to the Bark River, which is a great place to fish, kayak, or just enjoy the scenery. There are also several hiking trails in the park, including the Ice Age Trail and the Parnell Tower Trail. The Parnell Tower Trail takes visitors to the top of a tower, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
One interesting fact about Bark River Park is that it was once a farm. The land was donated to Jefferson County in the 1960s, and it was turned into a park.
The best time of year to visit Bark River Park is in the fall, when the leaves on the trees change colors. This is a great time to hike the trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Overall, Bark River Park is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves nature and the outdoors. With its stunning natural beauty, abundance of wildlife, and many points of interest, it is a must-see destination for visitors to Wisconsin.
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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.
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