Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 09/23/2022 12:00 PM CDT
DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
Fall hiking can be fun for the whole family. / Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Find Hiking Fun For The Whole Family
Taking the kiddos outside for a hike can be rewarding, fun and challenging. But getting out with the whole family doesn’t have to be a lot of work. With the right gear and the right hike, your family can hit the trails.
Bring The Right Gear Find a carrier, pack or stroller that fits right, stores easily and works for the type of hiking you plan to do. Remember that some trails in state parks are accessible for wheelchairs, making them accessible for strollers, too.
Before heading out, make sure you have all the necessities for all ages. For the youngest kids, a condensed diaper bag will do the trick, with plastic bags so you can take any trash out with you. An extra pair of clothes, a swimsuit, snacks, water, a hat and insect repellant are necessities for adults and kids, depending on the weather. Think about extra layers, mittens or hand warmers for colder weather hikes.
Find The Right Hike Consider a trail that is appropriate for your crew's abilities, endurance and attention spans. Use this DNR map to find family-friendly hikes at our state parks. Travel Wisconsin has a list of six recommended treks. Use our find a park feature to check out trail maps before heading out on your adventure.
Stay Focused Sometimes just walking around outside isn’t quite enough to keep everyone happy and engaged. The National Park Service offers some ideas to keep you on track in case young hikers get tired, hungry or grumpy:
Listen. Natural areas host many wonderful sounds. Try to identify bird calls or simply count different natural noises, from water flowing to leaves rustling to bees buzzing. Or if the kids are a little older, they can try to record cool sounds and make new ringtones for their phones.
Observe and record. This can be in many formats. Keep a list of animals or plants you see, or sketch plants or take photos. Keep a journal where kids record hikes they take and write down memories, descriptions or stories. Be creative and play to your strengths. If you work on it together, it could end up being a family keepsake.
Teach life skills. Learn important life skills while you’re on the trail. Show kids how to read a map, predict a storm or use a compass. Use a scraped knee, bug bite or blister as an opportunity to teach basic first aid.
Park Resources Many state park properties have interactive nature centers, playgrounds, interpretive trails, geo- or earthcaching and Wisconsin Explorer Program materials. Take advantage of these resources to take a break from hiking or to gear up, or cool down, from your adventuring.
New Accessible Playground At Peninsula State Park The Friends of Peninsula State Park funded a new accessible playground at Peninsula State Park in Door County.
The new playground features an accessible surface, along with accessible playground equipment like a flush-mounted merry-go-round for users of all abilities and a universal swing. The playground also features universal interactive ground elements, like a rain wheel and music elements.
The Friends of Peninsula State Park raised more than $130,000 in only a few months to ensure there was a playground for kids of all abilities to enjoy. In just over a year after closing, the playground at this popular beach is available again.
Photo Credit: Eric Hyde, Wisconsin DNR
Healthy Communities Summit Comes To Madison The Wisconsin Bike Fed and the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation are sponsoring their 2022 Healthy Communities Summit on Sept. 29 and 30. Be ready to talk all things outdoor recreation and biking, including the positive health, wellness and economic benefits for people and communities and how we can collectively uplift Wisconsin’s outdoor industry to make Wisconsin a better place to ride a bike and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re a business owner, trail enthusiast, an active transportation commuter, an all-around health nut or anywhere in between, this summit is for you. Learn more here.
Today's NCT was inspired by the original 60-mile Northern Country Trail in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. The trail spans from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to the Appalachian Trail in Vermont.
The DNR holds an agreement with the National Park Service and North Country Trail Association “in the completion and long-term management” of the trail. The agreement covers responsibilities ranging from trail construction to promotion.
Although the trail is not yet complete, the NCT travels for 220 miles through Wisconsin, with more than 140 miles complete. The completed sections of the trail are connected by roadways and other temporary routes in Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and Iron counties. Distances between trailheads and access points can vary greatly so hikers should review a map before setting out.
Hiking in northern Wisconsin during fall provides an array of colors as green foliage turns its bright shades of red, yellow and orange. Segments of the trail are available for day hiking or backpacking, with backpack campsites available throughout the route. Along the Wisconsin section of the trail, you'll pass numerous waterfalls, long vistas, deep valleys, wildlife and the ancient Penokee Mountain Range.
Since the NCT goes through some state and federal lands in northwest Wisconsin, you may have been on the North Country Trail and not even realized it. In addition to the parks and forests listed below, the NCT travels many miles through county and private lands, the Bad River, Rainbow Lake Wilderness and Porcupine Lake Wilderness.
Check out these recommended routes from the North Country Trail Association to get you started on your journey on the trail.
The North Country Trail crosses Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and Iron counties in Wisconsin. Learn more about it here.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Upcoming Events
Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24 at a park property near you. Here are some events happening around the state:
22nd Annual Wolf Lake Trail Run/Hike Richard Bong State Recreation Area Saturday, Sept. 24 9 a.m. - Noon
A 1-mile course and a 5k begin and end near the beach. Traverse hills, grasslands and woodlands. Prizes, raffles, refreshments, music and more! Packet pick-up is from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Dogs are not allowed at the race.
Fall Fest Roche-A-Cri State Park Saturday, Sept. 24 -
Join the Friends of Roche-A-Cri to celebrate fall and the end of the main season at the park with a free admission day at Roche-A-Cri. Enjoy making s'mores by the campfire, naturalist programs, scavenger hunts and more.
Food will be available for purchase. Please note that the park road will be closed during the horse-drawn hayrides.
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Join Tim James, Wisconsin DNR Forester, to learn about Wisconsin trees, their forms, bark, leaves and fruit, along with basic forestry practice. All ages welcome. Dress for the weather. Meet at the Observation Tower.
The Great Nature Race Devil's Lake State Park Saturday, Sept. 24 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
What better way to spend the day than outside on the Great Nature Race!
Drop in the Nature Center anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for an adventure across the property. You’ll need your car for this one.
This is a combination of geocaching, orienteering and scavenger hunt, so bring your GPS or check one out from the Nature Center. Work at your own pace to find new places on the property as you conquer this challenge. This activity is best for kids ages 10 and up as well as a great adventure for adults.
Meet at the Nature Center.
Fall Fest Copper Falls State Park Saturday, Sept. 24 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy the park’s waterfalls, fall colors and family fun like pumpkin painting, craft vendors, a brat fry, a raffle, natural resource booths, cider press, T-shirt printing and live music. No pets, please. A park sticker or day pass is required for vehicles.
