Pierce Woods Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

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


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is situated in the city of Franklin and covers an area of approximately 120 acres. The park is known for its beautiful natural scenery and offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities.

One of the main reasons to visit Pierce Woods Park is to enjoy its numerous hiking trails. The park has over five miles of trails that wind through its forests, wetlands, and prairies. The trails are well-maintained and offer visitors the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds.

In addition to hiking, the park also offers opportunities for fishing, picnicking, and camping. There is a large pond in the center of the park that is stocked with fish, and visitors can also rent canoes and kayaks to explore the water. For those who want to stay overnight, there are several campsites available that offer a rustic camping experience.

One of the most popular points of interest in Pierce Woods Park is the Kinnickinnic River, which runs along the park's eastern boundary. The river is known for its excellent fishing and is home to a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and panfish. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic paddle down the river.

Interesting facts about Pierce Woods Park include its history as a former farmstead and the fact that it is home to a rare plant species called the whorled milkweed. The park is also designated as a birding hotspot by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative, and visitors can spot over 60 different bird species in the park.

The best time of year to visit Pierce Woods Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and scenery for visitors to enjoy throughout the seasons.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks