Nashotah Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Nashotah Park is a beautiful natural area located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.


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Summary

The park covers 444 acres and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. There are many reasons to visit Nashotah Park, including its scenic hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing spots. The park's main attraction is the man-made Nashotah Lake, which is popular for boating and swimming.

One of the most popular points of interest in Nashotah Park is the Ice Age Trail, a 1,000-mile trail that winds through Wisconsin's glacial landscape. The park also features a disc golf course, a playground, and a nature center where visitors can learn about the natural history of the area.

Nashotah Park is full of interesting facts and history. The park was once home to the Nashotah Mission, a religious community that was established in the 19th century. The mission's chapel still stands in the park and is open for visitors to explore. The park was also a popular spot for Native American tribes, who used the area for hunting and fishing.

The best time to visit Nashotah Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is open for swimming and boating. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change color, and in the winter when visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Overall, Nashotah Park is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit, full of history and natural beauty. Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, or simply relaxing in the great outdoors, Nashotah Park is a must-see destination in 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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