Bong State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bong State Recreation Area is located in Wisconsin and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
One of the main attractions is the Bong Naturalist Association, which offers a variety of educational programs and activities for visitors to enjoy. The park also features a network of hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for fishing, hunting, and camping.
Visitors to Bong State Recreation Area can explore the park's diverse landscape, which includes wetlands, forests, and prairies. Some of the most popular points of interest include the observation tower, which provides stunning views of the surrounding area, and the wildlife viewing areas, where visitors can spot a variety of birds and other animals.
Interesting facts about the park include its namesake, Richard Bong, who was a World War II fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. The park is also home to a variety of rare and endangered species, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and the Hine's emerald dragonfly.
The best time of year to visit Bong State Recreation Area depends on what activities visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing, while fall is a popular time for hunting and fishing. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Bong State Recreation Area is a great destination for anyone looking to experience Wisconsin's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
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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
Senior Citizens Park
Bighton Dale Park
Schmalfeldt Park
Karcher Marsh Wildlife Area
Veterans Memorial Wayside Park