Waterfalls, Protecting The Land And More DNR Parks And Recreation News
Learn What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 These cascades at Willow River State Park offer a cool reprieve in hot days. / Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Featured Activity: Go Waterfalling
With summer heat in full swing across Wisconsin, it’s the perfect time to head out and see (and play in) some waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls at Wisconsin state parks from Amnicon Falls State Park in Douglas County to Wyalusing State Park in Grant County.
While waterfalls might seem magnificent in places like the western U.S., Wisconsin has some surprisingly stunning displays of falling, rushing water. Big Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park is the highest point in Wisconsin and the fourth highest waterfall east of the Rockies at 165 feet.
In contrast, the Weeping Rock hiking trail at Blue Mound State Park in Dane County is a rock wall with water seeping out from the spring-fed Ryan Creek.
Traditional waterfalls, like Stephen's Falls at Governor Dodge State Park in Iowa County and Willow Falls at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County, are part of the attractions at those parks, where you can also hike, camp, and fish. Many parks offer trails, bridge, and lookout points to view the waterfalls, and provide access to wade or swim under the falls.
At Copper Falls State Park in Ashland County, universal accessibility for 1.7 miles along the Doughboys Trail makes seeing this spectacular falls available for all.
Some low waterfalls and rapids are found on rivers, and accessible by canoe or kayak, such as along the Pine-Popple Wild Rivers, at the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, along the Wolf River, and down the Brule River.
Grab your suit and head out to a waterfall near you! You can read more about waterfalls in Wisconsin in the summer issue of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine.
Did you know: Dark basalt at the Amnicon State Park Upper Falls and sandstone at the Lower Falls is from lava that flowed a billion years ago, and the sandstone is from streams that flowed millions of years ago. Source
A Day in the Life of a Visitor Services Attendant
My name is Taylar and I work for the DNR in the Central Office in Madison. Over Memorial Day, I helped out at Rocky Arbor State Park in Wisconsin Dells. Rocky Arbor is a small, inland park with interesting, intriguing rock formations; a quiet reprieve right off the Interstate.
As visitors entered the park, I checked for admissions stickers, answered questions, gave directions, and shared information about the park, hiking, and the park system.
The questions I received ranged from easy-to-answer ("Where's the bathroom?" "How do I get to the trail?") to tricky ("Where's a good spot to fish/swim/mountain bike/get a truckload of firewood/stop on the way to Minnesota?").
By far the most common question was "I just want to _____. Do I need to pay admission?" The answer is always "Yes!" Any vehicles that park in the state park system need to pay admission, including DNR staff, in and out of state visitors, and maintenance crews.
I met some very pleasant people, and the post-Memorial Day-too-much-sun-people. I met families needing a break from the highway, couples checking off this park from their visit-all-parks list, and individuals scoping out campgrounds.
|
 |
|
I met kids who completed their "Wisconsin Explorer" books and came in for a patch and someone who camped here decades ago and struck up a friendship with neighboring campers; the two groups have remained friends and are coming back here this summer.
As folks came through the office that day, I often considered my own attitude towards customer service staff. It was a humbling experience and good reminder to be kind to customer service people. They don't have all the answers (I certainly didn't!) and they don't make the rules. But we can all appreciate having such a great state park system!
Photos of Rocky Arbor State Park by Wisconsin DNR
|
 |
Spotlight on: Amnicon Falls State Park
Amnicon Falls State Park in Douglas County features a series of delightful waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. You can view them from the Horton Covered Bridge, one of only five remaining bridges of this type, or 2 miles of trails along the river. The park is a great place to learn about the Douglas Fault, the geological formation that created the falls.
Sightseeing, camping, hiking and walking in the woods, fishing, picnicking, and cooling off are all popular activities at Amnicon. There are several day use areas and viewing platforms/ areas throughout the park, so you can safely observe the waterfalls. It features a series of four waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River, a state-designated Outstanding Resource Water.
This hidden gem began as a local park, and in 1939, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the cover on the present covered bridge, where dances were held for many years. In 1961, Douglas County donated the park to the State of Wisconsin.
The park is managed for aesthetics and recreational opportunities and maintains a natural diversity of wildlife habitat, including several rare plant species along the river. You can see the former limestone quarry, which is now filled with water, and a pond that attracts wildlife.
Amnicon Falls State Park is located about 7 miles outside of Superior in northern Wisconsin. Learn more.
Photo: One of the falls at Amnicon Falls. Credit: Wisconsin DNR
|
Leave No Trace
Help us preserve and protect the natural beauty of Wisconsin by following Leave No Trace ethics when you are out at Wisconsin state park properties. These seven principles help decrease the damaging impact we have so everyone may enjoy parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas at their best. Thanks to the National Park Service and Ice Age Trail Alliance.
Principle #1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Call for trail conditions. Carry maps. Cell coverage is not reliable at all park properties.
- Know the regulations of the area and plan or reserve your overnight camping.
- Minimize group size – limit groups to 20 people on day hikes and 10 for overnight trips.
- Check weather conditions before heading out. Prepare for extreme or changing conditions. Pack emergency aid equipment.
Upcoming Events
Women's Twilight Hike
Devil's Lake State Park
June 28, 8 - 9:30 pm
Meet at the Steinke Basin parking lot to hike along the Steinke Basin trail at dusk as the sky is changing colors and the natural world is settling into evening.
This time of day is beautiful and serene and can also be alive with wildlife. Mammals like deer and coyote can be active at this time in the evening, as well as birds that love dusk. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight with a red light on it.
Save the Date!
North Mendota Trail Ribbon Cutting
Governor Nelson State Park
July 14
Trailtessa Be Bright Hike and Bonfire
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake
July 16
Girl Scouts Love State Parks
September 10 & 11
S'more Fun Trail Run
Friends group fundraiser for Mirror Lake State Park
October 1
Find more Nature Programs and DNR events here.
Photo: the North Mendota Trail section in Governor Nelson State Park / Credit: Wisconsin DNR
|
Be an OutWiGo-Getter!
OutWiGo-Getters are people who love to get outdoors and
active in Wisconsin state parks.
Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and show us how you OutWiGo by tagging your outdoor adventures with #OutWiGo.
|
