Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 09/09/2022 12:00 PM CDT
DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
Hiking trails at Perrot State Park in autumn lead to amazing views of the Mississippi River. / Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Experience Fall Colors With A Hike
Fall is a wonderful time in Wisconsin: temperatures taper off, and summer crowds simmer down as fall colors repaint the landscape.
Whether hiking for a short distance or multi-day excursion, hikers can enjoy more than 2,700 miles of trail at Wisconsin state park properties. Hiking is allowed at all properties. As you venture out to explore Wisconsin on foot, here are a few reminders.
Read The Signs Check the trailhead and signs before heading out. Signs will help you determine what trail you are on and may indicate mileage, boundaries or difficulty. Anything marked as "Nature Trail" will likely be the most accessible option.
Trailheads provide valuable resources to hikers of all abilities including property maps, topography notices, pet rules, parking information and more.
Pet Hikers Pets are welcome on most trails, but please be responsible. All pets must be kept on leashes no more than 8 feet long. Pets must be under control at all times and pet owners must dispose of waste properly. Do not leave poop bags on the trail as park staff are unable to collect trash from trails. There are some areas where pets are not allowed, so be sure to check the rules.
Pack Accordingly Before embarking on a hike, make sure you're prepared. Bring along essential items like sunscreen, a hat, extra layers and water for each hiker. Applying insect repellent or adding it to your pack is always a good idea to keep ticks, mosquitoes and other pests at bay.
Signs like this at Wildcat Mountain State Park can prepare you for your hike. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Share The Trail On popular trails or during high-traffic times of day, hikers of all speeds and abilities may be exploring the same area. Let faster hikers or trail runners pass. If you're passing a group, announce yourself from behind so the group in front can move to the side.
If you're hiking with headphones, be sure you can still hear what's happening around you if others need to pass or get your attention. Pick up any trash you find and remember to pack out anything that you bring into the park properties including dog poop bags.
On multi-use trails, hikers should yield to bikers and bikers should yield to horses. Stay on the trail, as creating new "spur" trails can be damaging to the environment.
Be Aware Some trails live on steep ledges and muddy paths or have hazards like rocks, tree roots and other debris hidden by leaves. Be careful when looking over that cliff ledge or when free climbing rocks or rock formations, as they can easily shift. Please respect local wildlife by staying on designated trails, keeping the music low and cleaning up after yourself.
Have fun Trails in state park properties are here for the public's enjoyment and park staff and volunteers put significant time, resources and energy into maintaining them. Have fun, be safe and discover something new on Wisconsin's trails this fall. Visit some of Wisconsin's hidden gems and check out the abundant fall colors at Governor Thompson State Forest, trails around Interfalls Lake at Pattison State Park or explore the primitive, multi-loop hiking trails and scenic vistas with benches for relaxing at the Willow Flowage. Find more hidden gems here.
Outdoor News & Announcements
Ice Age Trail Mammoth Hike Challenge Starts Soon Hike, walk, run or backpack 42-miles on the Ice Age Trail during the month of October 2022 and visit 3 Ice Age Trail Communities to earn a hiking certificate and a limited-edition patch.
Log your miles over days, weekends, weeks, or one big adventure. You have the entire month of October to do it! Learn more or sign-up here.
Point Beach - Rawley Point Trail Closure Starts Sept. 12 Construction will begin on Sept. 12 to repair the Rawley Point Bicycle Trail at Point Beach State Forest. Staff expects the trail to reopen in mid-October.
During construction, visitors are encouraged to take County Highway O as an alternative for this connection. Cyclists may ride on the Red Pine and Ridges bike trails at Point Beach State Forest for alternate biking opportunities.
The Rawley Point trail, initially constructed in 1999, requires resurfacing due to the erosional effects of time and heavy use that has exposed rocks, tree roots and other hazards. This five-mile trail is an important connection for cyclists and pedestrians between the state forest and the cities of Two Rivers and Manitowoc.
A 0.4-mile segment of the Ice Age Trail will also be closed during resurfacing, where the Ice Age Trail shares the same corridor with the Rawley Point Bike Trail. A temporary reroute of an approximately 0.8-mile segment of this trail will take place along Lake Michigan near the Indoor Group Camp Coenen and Ketchbaw Cabins for both day-use and through-hikers to detour around the closed trail.
New Land Managers At Brule River State Forest To treat places in the Brule River State Forest overrun with buckthorn, an invasive plant, the DNR is partnering with Regenerative Ruminants to use goats as part of the department’s integrated pest management plan.
The DNR is working with the public and other partners to slow the spread of invasive species across the state through educational outreach, strategic planning and active management – including the use of goats.
The goats eat woody invasive plants, including buckthorn, that outcompete native vegetation and are detrimental to ecosystem health. Clearing out these harmful plants will allow the forest to regenerate. Goat grazing is often an effective method for reducing herbicide use.
Like other management methods, goat grazing is a long-term treatment. The goats have rotated throughout this site at the Brule River State Forest several times since May 2022 and are now back for another round of grazing. Since the seeds of the invasive plants remain in the soil for several years, the department will evaluate the area in upcoming seasons to determine if the goats or other treatment methods are needed.
When visiting parks and forests, be sure to wipe your shoes and clean your equipment before arrival and when you depart to help avoid spreading harmful invasive species like buckthorn.
More information about invasive species in Wisconsin is available on the DNR website here.
Old Abe State Trail
Connecting Brunet Island State Park and Lake Wissota State Park is the Old Abe State Trail, a 20-mile, multi-use, year-round trail. With trailheads in Chippewa Falls and Cornell, this asphalt trail uses an abandoned railroad line and follows the Chippewa River.
The story goes that this trail was named for the bald eagle Old Abe, who was captured and then sold, later becoming the mascot for the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. You can visit Old Abe Lake and a 10-foot statue of Old Abe outside Chippewa Falls.
The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible to a wide variety of users. In the warmer months, this trail is used by bicyclists, in-line skaters, hikers and dog-walkers (with dogs on leashes no more than 8-feet long). In the winter, the ungroomed trail is used by snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. There is a parallel equestrian trail from Chippewa Falls to Jim Falls.
Along the trail, you'll pass several historic sites, agricultural land and forests, plus picnic and rest areas. This time of year, check out the array of western Wisconsin fall colors along the trail, enjoy the mild temperatures and look for wildlife that call the river home.
Discovery Bird Walk Kohler-Andrae State Park Tuesday, Sept. 13 8 - 9 a.m.
Meet Master Naturalists Janet & Andy Raddatz to observe birds and nature in the park. Walks may take 2-3 hours depending on what is seen. Participants can leave at any time. Wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Bring insect repellant, sunscreen, and binoculars. The walk is best for ages 12 and older; children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets, please. Bird walks meet weekly.
Meet at the Black River Trail parking lot P1.
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Celebrate the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month with a hike through Lakeshore State Park. While observing our late-blooming flowers and migratory birds, we’ll also talk about the history of Spanish-speaking peoples in the Milwaukee area and the history of Mexico’s Grito de Dolores, a cry for independence now annually celebrated at 11 p.m. every Sept. 15. We’ll end the night with our own Grito. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at the North Entrance, just in front of Discovery World.
Full Gandy Relay Gandy Dancer State Trail - Southern Segment Saturday, Sept. 17 8 a.m.
Celebrate the end of summer by tackling 49.2 miles in one day. Travel via foot and bike from St. Croix Falls to Danbury in a four-person relay-style race. You’ll explore the entire length of the Gandy Dancer State Trail’s southern segment. If you really want a challenge, take on this adventure with a three or two-person team, or tackle it solo!
This event will happen rain or shine. Starting point is the Polk County Information Center in St. Croix Falls at 7:30 a.m. Relay starts at 8 a.m.
For the virtual option, your team will have until Sept. 30 to complete all 7 segments. Learn more and sign-up here.
S'More Fun Trail Run Mirror Lake State Park Saturday, Oct. 1
This fun trail run sponsored by the Friends of Mirror Lake State Park includes a Mini Marshmallow 1-mile kids run age 11 & under, 5K run & walk and 10K trail and half marathon run along the park's scenic trails.
The goal of this event is to introduce people to Mirror Lake State Park and to raise funds to support ongoing and future Friends' projects at the park. Participants will run along scenic Mirror Lake, near sandstone cliffs, up and down steep hills and to the finish line to enjoy post race food and beverages including s'mores around a campfire, making for a truly unique running experience. The family friendly 1-mile hike will take you on a loop through the woods ending at the post-race area where you can even enjoy s'mores.
Where did you #OutWiGo this summer? What was your favorite #OutWiGo memory from this summer? Did you do any new activities this summer? Share with us at #OutWiGo on social media!
