DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 Let the snow enhance your ride. / Photo: Wisconsin DNR
Bike The Snow
Don't put those helmets away! Winter biking has gained traction in Wisconsin in the last few years. Biking in the snow is allowed in all state parks, forests and recreation areas where biking is allowed unless the trail is a groomed cross-country ski trail.
Biking in winter may be trickier than in the summer and fall, but that shouldn't stop anyone from getting out on their bike. The winter scenery, the fresh air and less busy trails make winter worth biking.
Mechanics Of Winter Biking
Preparing your bike for winter biking is key. You can use your mountain bike in the winter, but you'll likely want to swap out your tires for ones with an aggressive tread. A fat tire bike is also an option for winter biking.
Make sure to check the tire pressure, as lower pressure tends to be beneficial for winter trail biking. For winter road bikers, consider studded tires on your road bike.
Some winter riders want a different type of handlebar, brake pads and mudguards. Greasing and preparing your drivetrain and hubs are helpful to withstand the added moisture that comes with the snow.
Dress warmly with multiple breathable layers. You want to be a little chilly when starting out to avoid overheating as you pedal. Hands and toes will likely get cold first. Handlebar mitts, a latex glove under your winter gloves or hand warmers will help keep your fingers toasty.
As you ride, take turns and corners slower and smoother than you would if it was dry. Try not to twist the handlebars too quickly; it can cause you to skid.
After your ride, you'll want to wipe down your bike. Keeping it clean and dry will reduce longer-term maintenance and get you out the door sooner on your next ride.
Where To Go Winter Biking
Wisconsin state trails are generally open to winter biking. However, it is important to check with each trail before heading out. Some state trails are managed by local units of government and not open to biking, such as Marathon County on the Mountain-Bay State Trail and in Portage and Waupaca counties on the Tomorrow River State Trail. With other non-state bicycle trails, winter bicyclists should first check with the landowner or trail manager about access.
Some snowmobile trails on county lands are not open to winter bicycling, and most snowmobile trails on private land (the majority of Wisconsin snowmobile trails are located on private land) are not open to bicycling of any kind.
Check out the bike trails in Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation trails this winter and enjoy the challenges and joys of winter biking.
Photo: Winter biking at Peninsula State Park. / Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Accessible Cabin Reservations Start Soon
Interested in reserving a Wisconsin State Park System accessible cabin in 2023? The first day to make a reservation is coming up! Applications can be postmarked or dropped off at the state park or forest you wish to reserve starting Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The Wisconsin State Park System offers 10 accessible cabins for those unable to use outdoor campsites. Eight larger cabins and two smaller rustic cabins are located throughout the state, from Copper Falls State Park to Richard Bong State Recreation Area. These cabins are available only to people with disabilities and their guests and must be reserved ahead of time. In general, the cabins are available from May to October every year.
Reservations fill up fast so drop off your application to the state park or forest you wish to reserve or mail it in starting no earlier than Tuesday, Jan. 10. Reservations can also be made during the camping season, based on availability, by calling the park property.
Learn more about the accessible cabins and find the reservation form on the DNR's website.
Photo: This accessible cabin is at the Ottawa Lake Campground. / Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Snowmobiling Trail Conditions
January is prime snowmobiling time. Snowmobile trails are now open in several areas across Wisconsin. Be sure to check conditions before heading out. Use the Wisconsin Snow Report for up-to-date trail conditions.
Practice sled safety and awareness when out and about this winter.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Don't Forget To Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library
The pilot program Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library is ongoing until March 2023. Library cardholders can check out a day pass to Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas at participating libraries. Find a list of libraries and a map of nearby state park properties on the DNR's website. After your park visit, don't forget to complete the survey for a chance to win a free 2023 annual vehicle admission sticker!
Northern Highland- American Legion State Forest
With over 236,000 acres and more than 900 lakes within its boundaries, the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest (NHAL) provides wonderfully scenic opportunities for a variety of outdoor uses. The forest spreads across three counties near the towns of Woodruff, Minocqua and Boulder Junction. Some have called this the "heart of the Northwoods."
The State Legislature established the Northern Highland State Forest in 1925 and the American Legion State Forest in 1929 from forest reserves set aside earlier in Iron, Oneida and Vilas counties. The two forests were managed separately until 1968, when they were combined into one administrative unit. Today, the NHAL State Forest is Wisconsin's largest state-owned property.
The NHAL is essential to providing and sustaining ecological, economic and social benefits and is particularly important to local and state economies. The forest supports thousands of acres in wetlands and lakes—all part of the complex ecosystem that provides habitat to diverse fish, birds, insects and plants, as well as many rare species.
The NHAL remains extremely important to the region’s Ojibwe Tribes (known to themselves as Anishinaabe or to others as Chippewa). It is located in ancestral Ojibwe homelands where the Tribes may exercise their rights to hunt, fish and gather. These rights—reserved in 1837 and 1842 land cession treaties with the United States—help provide for the subsistence, cultural, medicinal and spiritual needs of tribal communities.
Recreation opportunities are plentiful at the NHAL. In the summer, camping is a must-do. Off-road biking, hiking and water recreation are all abundant. In the winter, experience the forest by ski, sled, bike or foot.
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Cross-country Skiing
The NHAL has four beautifully tracked and wonderfully scenic cross-country ski trails: Escanaba, Madeline, McNaughton and Raven. Because they are tracked, snowshoes, hiking and pets are not allowed on these trails in winter.
The Lumberjack and Powell trails are great for skiing. These trails are not groomed, but because they are popular, many times a trail may have already been broken.
Snowmobiling
The NHAL has nearly 400 miles of marked snowmobile trails that connect with an extensive network of county and local snowmobile club trails. These trails are all maintained and groomed by the local snowmobile clubs.
Biking
Except for the nature trails, biking is allowed on all roads and trails. This amounts to hundreds of miles of biking opportunities.
There are two trails on or near the forest that have suitable surfaces for all bikes. The Bearskin State Trail has trailheads in Minocqua and on Highway K near Highway 51. Also, the surrounding area towns maintain a paved bike trail that runs from the Boulder Junction campground through Crystal, Firefly, Muskie, North Trout and South Trout campgrounds and on to St. Germain.
Snowshoeing/Hiking
In addition to Lumberjack and Powell trails, the parking lots at Fallison, North Trout and Star Lake nature trails are kept plowed to provide ample opportunities. For those who don't want to stick to a trail, the possibilities are endless. But please remember, no snowshoeing on groomed and tracked ski trails.
The Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest is located in Iron, Vilas and Oneida counties. There are two main Visitor Contact Stations in the forest at Clear and Crystal lakes. Learn more about it.
Photos:
Top, snowshoeing on the Fallison Trail in the NHAL. Bottom, snowmobiling in the NHAL.
Credit: J. Fieweger, Wisconsin DNR
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Candlelight Events
Various properties
Starting Jan. 7
Candlelight events across the Wisconsin State Park System start this Saturday, Jan. 7! Hike, ski, snowshoe or take an all-terrain wheelchair out for a special evening in Wisconsin state park properties.
At several participating parks, you can borrow a pair of snowshoes for free, warm up post-trek with hot beverages or a bonfire and stay warm with fellow evening adventurers. See your favorite park properties by candlelight this winter!
These events provide excellent opportunities to connect with fellow hikers of all abilities. Be sure to dress warmly and in layers, and consider adding a headlamp or flashlight to your supply pack.
Events are ongoing through February. Kick off the candlelight series at one of these properties this Saturday:
- Devil’s Lake State Park
- Mirror Lake State Park
- Rib Mountain State Park
- Wildcat Mountain State Park
Find event details and a full list of candlelight events here.
Find more nature programs and DNR events.
Photo: Warm up around a campfire post-candlelit hike, like the one at Wildcat Mountain. / Photo credit: J. Ringdahl, Wisconsin DNR
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What's your favorite winter evening hike?
Share your photos on Instagram and Facebook and use #OutWiGo!
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