Ben Hanson Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ben Hanson Park is a popular destination for visitors to Wisconsin who are looking for outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
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Summary
The park is located in the town of Rhinelander in Oneida County, and it covers 120 acres of mixed forest and wetland habitats.
One of the main reasons to visit Ben Hanson Park is to enjoy the outdoor activities that are available. The park has a network of trails for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing, as well as a disc golf course and a fishing pier. Visitors can also rent kayaks or canoes to explore the park's wetlands.
There are several points of interest within Ben Hanson Park that are worth checking out. The park features a historic logging camp, which offers a glimpse into the area's lumbering past. There is also a nature center that provides educational exhibits and programs about the local flora and fauna.
Interesting facts about Ben Hanson Park include its namesake, Ben Hanson, who was a local conservationist and advocate for outdoor recreation. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and otters.
The best time of year to visit Ben Hanson Park depends on the visitor's interests. Summer is a popular time for outdoor recreation, while fall offers stunning foliage displays. Winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and ice fishing, and spring brings the return of migratory birds.
Overall, Ben Hanson Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Wisconsin who enjoys the outdoors, history, and wildlife.
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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
Ripple Creek Park
Nepco Lake County Park
South Wood County Park