Col Heg Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Col Heg Park is a popular destination located in the state of Wisconsin.


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Summary

The park is known for its beautiful scenery and is particularly popular for hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The park is named after Colonel Hans Christian Heg, who was a Norwegian-American immigrant and a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

The park features several points of interest, including the Upper Yahara River Trail, which is a popular hiking trail that offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the river, which is home to a variety of fish species such as bass, walleye, and northern pike. The park also has picnic areas and shelters that are perfect for family gatherings and other events.

One interesting fact about Col Heg Park is that it was once home to a major Native American village. The village was inhabited by the Ho-Chunk people, who used the area for hunting and fishing. Today, visitors can still see remnants of the village, including burial mounds and other artifacts.

The best time of year to visit Col Heg Park is in the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. The park is open year-round, however, so visitors can enjoy its beauty throughout the year. Overall, Col Heg Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Wisconsin.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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