Lerdahl Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lerdahl Park is a popular recreational area located in the state of Wisconsin.


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Summary

There are many reasons to visit this park, including its beautiful natural surroundings and various outdoor activities. One of the main attractions of the park is its extensive trail system, which provides hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities.

Visitors to Lerdahl Park will also be able to enjoy a variety of other activities, such as fishing, camping, and picnicking. There are several designated picnic areas throughout the park, as well as a playground for children.

Some of the specific points of interest within Lerdahl Park include the park's natural wetlands, which are home to a variety of wildlife, and the park's historic log buildings, which date back to the early 1900s.

One interesting fact about Lerdahl Park is that it was donated to the County of Dane in 1976 by Hulda Lerdahl, who had owned the land for several decades. Since that time, the park has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

The best time of year to visit Lerdahl Park depends on the activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but different activities may be more enjoyable at different times of year. For example, hiking and biking are popular in the summer and fall, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are more popular in the winter.

       

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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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