DNR Parks And Recreation News

What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas

Off-highway motorcycling is a fast-paced way to enjoy the landscape. / Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR

OutWiGo Off The Road

Looking for some motorized vehicle fun? Wisconsin offers several types of motorized vehicle activities. There are all-terrain vehicles, utility-terrain vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles and off-highway motorcycles. 

An off-highway motorcycle (OHM) is any two-wheeled motor vehicle that is straddled by the operator, that is equipped with handlebars and that is designed for use off a highway, regardless of whether the motor vehicle is also designed for use on a highway.

All OHMs must apply for Wisconsin public use registration if they are operated or intend to operate on designated OHM trails, areas that are specifically open to the public for recreational OHM use, designated and signed OHM road routes and while otherwise operating legally on or adjacent to public highways. 

There are several park properties where you can operate OHMs. The Cattail, Gandy Dancer Northern Segment, Nicolet, Pecatonica and Wolf River state trails, Black River State Forest and the Richard Bong State Natural Area all have OHM trail access.

Additionally, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and many municipalities and counties offer trails and routes for OHM.

Learn more about off-highway motorcycles in Wisconsin here and find the 750 miles of OHM trails here.

Outdoor News & Announcements Heads Up! Ride Across Wisconsin To Cause Traffic On State Trails La Crosse to Milwaukee Aug. 20 - 21 Ride Across Wisconsin is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation that was created to promote the great biking opportunities the state of Wisconsin has to offer. This year, the 235-mile route (one and two-day options) will take riders west to east across the state, from La Crosse to Milwaukee, showcasing five state trails, the La Crosse River, Elroy-Sparta, 400, Glacial Drumlin and Hank Aaron state trails. These same state trails are also part of U.S. Bicycle Route 30. The approximate date and times riders will be on the trails are: La Crosse River State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 20, from 5 to 9 a.m. Elroy-Sparta State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 20, from  6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  As a safety precaution, trail users should avoid the trail from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. when it will be very crowded with riders. 400 State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Glacial Drumlin State Trail (Lake Mills to Waukesha) – Saturday, Aug. 20, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hank Aaron State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 20 from about 4 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 21, from noon to 6 p.m. For everyone’s safety, event planners are encouraging users to avoid using these trails during this time. Find alternate bike trails here. For more information, to volunteer or to sign up for the ride, see the Ride Across Wisconsin website.  Ice Age Trail Alliance Announces Photo Contest Submit your Ice Age Trail photos by Sept. 1, 2022 for a chance to have your photograph(s) selected for use in the 2023-2025 Ice Age Trail Guidebook. If selected, your name will appear in the photo credits, and you will receive a free copy of the Guidebook, a $30.00 value. If your photograph(s) are selected for other publication purposes, such as an Alliance blog post, your name will appear in the photo credits, and you’ll get the thrill of knowing your photo helped express the key point in a story. Learn more here.

DNR Secretary Preston Cole, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and other state and local representatives at the ribbon cutting for the North Mendota Trail that passes through Governor Nelson State Park. The trail is a Dane County multi-use trail maintained by the Town of Westport. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Governor Dodge State Park Governor Dodge State Park, one of Wisconsin's largest parks located outside Dodgeville has over 5,000 acres of steep hills and bluffs, deep valleys, lakes, a waterfall and activities aplenty! This year, Governor Dodge is excited to offer even more to visitors with a newly expanded equestrian campground. The equestrian campground was a project led by the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park - Equestrians to increase the number of campsites available and add modern facilities. Visitors can camp with their horses in one of 20 campsites. Eighteen of those sites have electricity. Each campsite includes a high-line hitching post with cable, and has a picnic table and fire ring. Drinking water, vault toilets, a horse washing station and manure bunkers are provided. Campers can use the shower building located in the Hickory Ridge group camp area. The equestrian campground is open from May 1 through Nov. 15 and is located in the Hickory Ridge area of Governor Dodge State Park. The campground was intended to make access easier. Turning around with large campers and horse trailers is now significantly easier, plus the campground has easy access to the park's 22 miles of equestrian trails - including both the interior horse trail system and the 15-mile Driftless Horse Trail. The Friends of Governor Dodge - Equestrians have more plans to improve the equestrian campground. You can learn more about their efforts here.  Located in Wisconsin's scenic Driftless Area, Governor Dodge also offers camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing and off-road biking. Stephen's Falls waterfall is not to be missed. Rock climbers will find fun at one of multiple rope and bouldering areas and trail runners can train without having to loop around. Rowboats and canoes are available to rent and electric motorboats are allowed on both lakes. In the winter, there are abundant options for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking and biking and winter camping. By foot or bicycle, you can get to Governor Dodge by way of the Military Ridge State Trail. There's a surfaced access trail from the Military Ridge to the park just east of County Highway Z. Visit the Governor Dodge State Park webpage to learn more. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Upcoming Events North Country Trail Races Brule River State Forest 8 a.m. July 23 Join in the sixth annual North Country Trail Races in the Brule River State Forest near Solon Springs. This is a 5k, 13.1 mile and mystery distance race benefitting the Brule-St. Croix Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. More info is found here. Dunes Hike Point Beach State Forest 11 a.m. - Noon July 24 Explore the Point Beach lakeshore dunes and discover what a rare and beautiful gem Point Beach State Forest is. The dunes-and-swales formations like the ones here are now found only in two other places in Wisconsin (Woodland Dunes Preserve/ Manitowoc and The Ridges Sanctuary/Baileys Harbor). You will learn about the unique topology of the area, about the plants, birds, bugs and other animals that live in this harsh yet fragile environment and about why it is really important to stay on the trails. You can find (and identify) fossils of the creatures that lived here millions of years ago. The hike will be about a mile long. Meet outside the Entrance Station. Sensing Gardens: Guided Hike For Blind And Visually Impaired Individuals Lakeshore State Park 6 - 7:30 p.m. July 28 Experience nature through senses other than sight! Listen to Lakeshore’s residents and migratory birds. Smell its many native flowers. Taste its edible herbs. The estimated hike distance out and back is one mile. Sighted friends and family welcome! Head to the DNR Events Calendar to find more nature programs and events. Watch for upcoming public meetings and hearings on our Hearings & Meetings Calendar. Photo 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 #5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Make low impact fires at existing fire rings only and use only downed wood.
• Douse fires thoroughly before breaking camp. Never leave a fire unattended.
• Use a portable stove for cooking instead of a campfire.

Want to learn more about packing out what you brought in at Wisconsin's state parks? Check out the summer issue of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine for more Leave No Trace tips.

Share your Wisconsin State Park System fun! Tag us at #OutWiGo