Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 06/17/2022 12:00 PM CDT
DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
You can see a wide variety of farms, fields, forests and fauna as you ride across Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Featured Activity: Bicycle Touring
Biking is a classic Wisconsin activity. Rural, open roads and city riding for work or play are common across the state for kids and adults, and hilly and forested open spaces make great conditions for mountain biking. The DNR manages 41 state trails offering a thousand miles available for biking. There are three types of bike trails:
Bicycle touring trails - Easier trails such as paved or limestone-surfaced former railroad corridors. Generally appropriate for all ability levels and bikes with skinny tires.
Off-road bicycle trails - Intermediate-level trails, often in the woods with a variety of surfacing, from native soil to wood chips. Appropriate for families with more adventurous riders and hybrid or mountain bikes.
Constructed mountain bike trails - Specially constructed, challenging, narrow-width trails built to the trail standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
Wisconsin has bicycle touring trails in rural areas, like the Wolf River in Forest and Langlade counties, and in urban areas, like the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee. Some trails connect or cross one another, like the Wiouwash and Mountain Bay Trails in the northeast, while others are pleasant rides through small towns and open space, like the Gandy Dancer Trail.
State trails can take visitors to and between state parks, forests and recreation areas, so be sure to check out maps before you head out on your adventure. If you can't bring yours with you, some park properties also rent bikes.
Wisconsin's oldest state trail is the Elroy-Sparta and a newer state trail is the Great Sauk, which goes through Prairie du Sac and Sauk City and follows the Wisconsin River, and has future plans to extend throughout Sauk and Dane Counties.
Whether you're a sight-seeing bicyclist, a family out for an afternoon together or on a mission to bike as many miles as possible, there's a state trail for you! Read more about biking in the Wisconsin State Park System here.
Did You Know: Find bike repair stations like this one at the Kendall Depot, in Kendall, and at all the visitor centers along the Elroy-Sparta Trail (and at other state trails). The repair station has air and a gauge for tires, as well as other equipment to help fix minor repairs.
Outdoor News & Announcements
Share The Road As you head out onto the road, make sure to share the road with other users. Shoes on the left, wheels on the right is a good reminder!
Accessible Playground At High Cliff State Park Young visitors to High Cliff State Park have a cool playground to explore, and more visitors can use the newly accessible playground. The playground is 100% accessible with rubberized poured-in-place substrate. The design and install was through Lee Recreation.
The Friends of High Cliff did all the fundraising and received a large donation from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley.
Photo above: Trail signage along the Green Circle State Trail. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Volunteer In State Parks Rock Island State Park Campground Host and artist Lisa Dukowitz shared a photo (right) on the Friends of Rock Island Facebook page of a painting of the Thordarson boathouse she worked on while taking a break during campground hosting.
On an average year, the Wisconsin State Park System welcomes over 300 campground hosts who provide excellent customer service to help visitors enjoy their stay in the many campgrounds across the system. Visit our Volunteer Opportunities web page to learn how you can become a campground host or volunteer with the Wisconsin State Park System. Use the new Volunteer Impact system to apply today.
Photo used courtesy of Lisa Dukowitz, who was a first-time campground host and had "a great time" in her week – so much so that she's returning to host again in September!
Spotlight On: Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Is there anything that hasn't been said before about the Elroy-Sparta State Trail? It's always worth highlighting this "crown jewel" trail, which sees thousands of visitors a year - from across Wisconsin and across the country. Visitors flock to the small towns of Elroy and Sparta to bike the 32.5 mile trail, the oldest railroad conversion in the country.
Prior to being a four-season, multi-use trail, this was a railroad line that carried passengers, livestock, agricultural equipment, building supplies and more across western Wisconsin. When the railroad was abandoned after almost 100 years, the state took it over and converted it to a bike trail.
Today, this trail is crushed limestone and passes over bridges, through three tunnels, and along fields, pastures, and bluffs of the Driftless region. You can connect to the Great River, La Crosse River, 400 and Hillsboro State Trails to extend your trip. In the summer, bike, run, walk, hike or in-line skate this trail and in the winter, snowmobile or ski your way through the five towns. Along the trail you'll pass visitor centers with historical displays and restroom facilities and campgrounds for the longer-distance travelers. There are even bike repair stations if you run into troubles on the trail!
Find out more about the Elroy-Sparta State Trail here.
Photo above left: Alan Leopold takes a rest break at the Kendall Depot along the Elroy-Sparta Trail. Leopold was biking this trail as training for a multi-state longer-distance camp/ride trip. Fat bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, children's bikes... all are welcome on the Elroy-Sparta Trail! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Nearly every culture in the world celebrates the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year when the sun is the highest peak in the sky. It's a perfect time to watch the sun set on the longest day of the year. Join us at a nearby state park to celebrate the solstice.
Summer Solstice Talk Aztalan State Park, 7 - 9 p.m.
Join us for a special Summer Solstice Talk and observation of the sunset at Aztalan and learn about the significance of the sun for the prehistoric Aztalan population. We will meet at the Information Trailer in the park’s second parking lot, weather permitting.
Lakeshore State Park, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
As we enjoy a beautiful sunset, come walk and reflect on your own personal zeniths. Set intentions for nourishing yourself just as the sun nourishes the rainbow tapestry of plants in Lakeshore State Park. Meet at the Park’s north entrance, just west of Discovery World. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Solstice Hike Devil's Lake State Park, 8 - 10 p.m.
We’ll hike to the top of the East Bluff to watch the sunset. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp with you for the hike back down the bluff. The hike will be about 3 miles, roundtrip. Meet at the East Bluff trailhead on the North Shore. This program is best for adults and kids 10 and up.
From fish to flowers to food to feathers to fires to flying to fun, #OutWiGo is a great way to share your Wisconsin adventures on social media! Show us how you #OutWiGo!
