Family-Outdoors

  State Park Admissions, Fishing Licenses And Trail Passes Waived State park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all visitors June 3-4, 2023. / Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin MADISON, Wis.  – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to head outdoors for the 11th annual Free Fun Weekend happening June 3-4, 2023. State park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all Wisconsin residents and non-residents. With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 lakes, the DNR invites Wisconsinites to discover a new favorite park, trail, forest or recreation area, or to try a new activity during Free Fun Weekend. This is the perfect time to get outdoors and find your adventure in Wisconsin. “Free Fun Weekend is always a great opportunity for the DNR property crews to welcome summer visitors back,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Bureau Director of Par...

  MADISON, Wis.   – As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding the public that fireworks are prohibited on DNR-managed lands. Restricted areas include state parks, forests and state-owned public hunting and fishing areas. Fireworks are regulated in Wisconsin, and depending on the specific type of fireworks, a permit may be required. It is best to check with local officials before purchasing them and lighting them. Anyone using fireworks should take precautions to prevent wildfires now and during the next few weeks. Exploding fireworks, such as firecrackers, m-70s, bottle rockets and roman candles, cause the most fireworks-related wildfires. Although holiday favorites such as sparklers and fountains are not defined as fireworks per state law, they do pose a significant fire threat especially near grassy areas in hot and dry weather. A citation for illegal fireworks in a state park or forest can cost up to $200.50. Violators...

MADISON, Wis.  – Due to high water levels on Lake Michigan, accessibility limitations, and COVID-19 and social distancing concerns, Rock Island State Park will be closed for the remainder of the year. The Washington Island Ferry Line had suspended trips to and from Rock Island State Park earlier this year and have extended that suspension through the end of the 2020 season. High water has also submerged piers, limiting accessibility to the island. All camping reservations will be canceled and reservation holders will be provided a full refund. The Friends of Rock Island State Park have also canceled all tours of the lighthouse and boathouse. The public will not be permitted to dock on or use the island for personal use. Property staff and conservation wardens will be monitoring the park for the remainder of the season. Anyone who attempts to access the island may be subject to citations. The DNR urges state park and forest visitors to do their part when visiting DNR properties. Mos...

MADISON – The opening date for hunting and trapping would be moved back in certain parks with a high volume of late fall visitors and horseback riders, and areas around high winter use trail systems in some parks would be included in closed areas, under revisions the Department of Natural Resources State Parks Program is proposing to its original plan to accommodate broader hunting opportunities and open trapping on state park properties. The changes are being made after review of more than 2,000 written and oral comments the parks program received on their initial proposal to implement the part of a new law the legislature approved earlier this year -- Act 168, known as the Sporting Heritage Bill – that expands hunting and trapping in state parks. Act 168, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013, allows the DNR to prohibit hunting and trapping within 100 yards of a designated use area such as a campground, picnic area, or beach. A determination to prohibit hunting and trapping in any othe...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Reservations 9 percent ahead of previous year – electrification improvements underway MADISON – The attraction of  Wisconsin State Parks  as family friendly, affordable and fun places to visit for a day, a weekend, a week or longer continues to grow with advanced camping reservations up 9.3 percent over the same period in 2011. “State parks and trails have always offered a great experience at a great value and we welcome the surge in visitors,” said Kimberly Currie, of the Wisconsin State Parks program. Overall advance registrations are up and the number of campers taking advantage of Wisconsin’s online campsite reservation continues to grow also. Advanced online reservations are up 11.5 percent over 2011. The online reservation service allows camper to reserve a site up to 11 months in advance making vacation planning a little less stressful and makes it possible, with a little luck, to reserve that special campsite you love. A...