DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 Featured Activity: Foraging
Spring in Wisconsin brings maple syrup, spring peeper frogs, and the return of the old practice of food foraging. The foraging season, or gathering wild fruits, fungi, and plants, starts in March and runs through November.
Areas that have seen disturbance -- whether it's flooding, fire or deposits of material like dead leaves or compost -- are likely to have a bounty of vegetables.
You can find wild edibles just about anywhere, even as close as your back yard. But did you know you can forage on state-owned properties in Wisconsin? Please be aware of the rules that apply, and unless you are certain of what it is, please be aware of any health or safety concerns before consuming what you find.
Under state law, foraging at state parks, forests, natural areas, recreation and wildlife areas does not require a permit for the following:
- Edible fruits such as apples, plums, pears, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, juneberries and strawberries;
- Edible nuts like walnuts, hickory nuts, acorns and other similar nuts from trees and shrubs;
- Wild mushrooms including morel, oyster, lobster, chanterelle, giant puffball and hen of the woods varieties;
- Wild asparagus and watercress;
- Garlic mustard and other invasive species listed in Ch. NR 40, Wis. Adm. Code.
Foraging is allowed only for personal consumption by the collector. Gathering seeds, leaves, stems, roots or other plant parts is not allowed — including medicinal herbs and wild leeks or ramps.
Some properties may be deemed a “non-collection site.” When in doubt, contact the property manager or call the DNR to see if a property has any restrictions.
No foraging is allowed for species listed as endangered or threatened. Specific rules apply to harvesting wild rice and ginseng, so know before you go.
Foraging for food is part art, part science, part luck, and part fun! It's another way to add to your outside springtime adventures.
Sections of this piece are used by permission from the full article “Finding Your Food” by Megan Sheridan, from the Spring 2021 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
Photo: Morel mushrooms are Wisconsin's famous foraged food. But did you know the chicken of the woods mushroom grows on living or dead oak trees? / Credit: WI DNR
Outdoor News & Announcements
New equestrian campground at Governor Dodge State Park
A new equestrian campground opened this May at Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville. Funded by the Friends of Governor Dodge - Equestrians, the new campground hosts 20 campsites, 18 of which have electric hookups. Each campsite has a high-line hitching post, picnic table, and fire ring. The Friends group fundraised and planned for seven years before the reality of the campground came true. They have more projects slated for the future.
The new campsite is currently open for reservations this summer. There are 25 miles of equestrian trails at Governor Dodge. Learn more.
Photo: Friends of Governor Dodge State Park - Equestrians, Sen. Howard Marklein, DNR staff, and supporters gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony this April on a new equestrian campground / Photo credit: WI DNR
Office of Outdoor Recreation seeking Trail Reporters
The Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation is seeking additional volunteers for the Wisconsin Trail Report. The Trail Report is a collection of hiking and biking trails across Wisconsin that provides useful information and current conditions to help prepare trail users for their adventures. You can help add more Wisconsin park properties to the report by volunteering today!
All trail network listings on the Trail Report require a dedicated volunteer reporter(s) to provide weekly condition updates until early November.
Ready to become a Trail Reporter?
If you are interested, complete this brief online form to submit your interest. The Office of Outdoor Recreation will follow-up with interested volunteers. Please contact Kara Henderlight, khenderlight@travelwisconsin.com, with questions.
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Cross Plains State Park gets new trail
Volunteers and staff from the Ice Age Trail Alliance completed a new trail across Wilkie Gorge at Cross Plains State Park. The new trail replaces an unsustainable, eroding trail. The new trail includes a dozen stone stairs—each 48 inches wide—to descend both sides of the former glacial meltwater channel. After a year in planning, construction began on May 8 and continued with three more workdays over the following week. Most of the work was done with hand tools. Pictured are volunteers hauling a stone step. Volunteers are essential team members for our state park system!
Read more about Cross Plains State Park.
Photo credit: Andrew Bent
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Spotlight On:
High Cliff State Park
High Cliff State Park is the only state-owned recreational area on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest lake. The park gets its name from the limestone cliff of the Niagara Escarpment, which parallels the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago. The magnificent 12-foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird, standing high on a huge granite rock, overlooks the lake and is a popular destination in the park.
A 125-acre area within the 1,187-acre park is designated as a state natural area, recognizing its excellent cliff environments, an undisturbed wet-mesic forest and more than a mile of Lake Winnebago shoreline.
Warm-weather activities at High Cliff include biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and swimming. The Butterfly Pond and Indian Mounds Trails are accessible to people with disabilities. The park also offers accessible campsites with an accessible cabin and fishing pier.
An on-site marina has over 100 slips available for rent. Slip rentals include the use of the marina shower building, crane service and winter storage. The marina is within walking distance to the beach, biking trails, golf course and restaurant.
Learn more about High Cliff State Park, located in Sherwood.
Photo credit: Tim McEnroe for WI DNR
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Upcoming Events
Amphibian Adventure
High Cliff State Park
Saturday, May 21, 2022, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Spring is a season of intense activity for Wisconsin's amphibians. Participate in exploring a springtime pool and learn how to identify frogs and toads by sight and breeding call.
Dress for the weather; each participant should bring a flashlight or headlamp; footwear offering good traction is recommended. Meet at the park entrance parking area for carpooling to the program location.
10th Annual Free Fun Weekend is June 4 -5
Vehicle admission, trail pass, and fishing license fees are waived all weekend. Plan your outdoor adventure now.
Find Nature Programs and DNR events here.
Photo credit: WI DNR
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Where do you #OutWiGo? When you post pictures of your outdoor adventures, be sure to tag #OutWiGo to share with us!
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