Glacier Hills County Park

Glacier Hills County Park
1664 Friess Lake Road
Town of Richfield

Park Hours: 6AM -9PM
Park is open year-round

Glacier Hills County Park
is located on what geologists term an interlobate moraine. Between ten and twenty thousand years ago, the Green Bay and Lake Michigan Glacier Lobes butted against each other. When they receded, approximately 10,000 years ago, they left the interesting and unique landform we call the Kettle Moraine.

County Park System
County Park Activities
County Park Fees,
Rules and
Regulations
Golf and Park Division







 View of bench along Friess Lake and
lakeshore walking trail (left)

Glacier Hills County Park, originally developed as St. Amelian's
orphanage youth camp, became a Washington County Park in 1976. The park consists of 140 acres of land and includes approximately 1200 feet of frontage on Friess Lake.

The gravel soil, deposited as a result of glacial action, supports a forest of oaks, maples, basswood, ironwood, elm and birch. Maples are more abundant in the more fertile valleys and slopes closer to the lake. Oaks predominate in the park and provide an open canopy conducive to the rich and varied understory of both woodland and prairie flowers and shrubs. Goat prairies, consisting of relatively short prairie plants, are located on the crests of some of the high, well-drained hills. Over 120 varieties of birds have been observed in the park.

Several glacial formations can be seen as one walks the trail. Foot trails lead through depressions called kettles, across rounded kames, and over a sinewy esker which was once the bed of a sub glacial river. The rounded pebbles and gravel soil, typical of the interlobate moraine area, are indicative of the powerful grinding force of the glacier. Ponds, marshes, and a bog can be found at the base of several of the kettle holes. Friess Lake was formed from the melting of a giant ice block left by the receding glacier.


Park Amenities
  • Playground Equipment
  • Hiking Trails
  • Historical Site
  • Basketball Court
  • Lighted Parking Areas
  • Lighted Sled Hill (not designed for use by small children)
  • Swimming (no lifeguard provided)
  • Heated Flush Restrooms
  • Ice Fishing
  • Fishing
  • 3 Reservable Shelters
  • Snowmobile Trail Acess
  • Cross Country Ski Trail (trail is not groomed)
  • Sand Volleyball Court (provide own ball and net)
Park Rules and Regulations
  • No hunting or trapping
  • No overnight camping or open fires, other than those contained in grills
  • Parking on grass is prohibited
  • No ATV or snowmobile lake access is permitted
  • Observe speed limit and other posted regulations
  • Keep pets under control and on a leash not to exceed 6 feet. Owners responsible for picking up all pet waste.
To view the maps below, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the link below to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  Adobe Reader

See Glacier Hills County Park Map
Click on this Countywide Park Map for the location of Glacier Hills County Park .