DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 West Observation Tower at Blue Mound State Park provides a very different view in winter. Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
Winter is on full blast across Wisconsin, but that doesn't mean you need to stay inside or stop being active. There are a lot of ways to get outside and play, no matter what age you are. For all-abilities recreation, read more about the DNR's efforts to Open the Outdoors here.
Classic outdoor activities such as sledding, skiing, snowshoeing/hiking and winter or fat tire biking are abundant around Wisconsin. These standbys are always in fashion and never get old. If you're someone who does a state park visit challenge, double it and aim to visit all state park properties in winter and summer.
Many observation towers are not maintained during winter but are open - we suggest yak tracks or other footwear to help prevent slipping, and a slow climb up and down towers during winter. The views in winter can be extremely different, but worth it with a little extra effort.
 The same view from the West Observation Tower at Blue Mound State Park, taken during the fall. Photo credit: Chris Tall, Wisconsin DNR
If it's been a while since you've been ice fishing, give it a try for a classic Wisconsin pasttime. To shake things up a bit, consider going tubing or ice skating. The more people, the merrier!
If you're looking for a new adventure, check out some of these lesser-known activities:
Skijoring
An activity for the dog and dog's best friend who operate with one mind! Part coordination, part communication, skijoring is skiing with a dog. The skier wears a harness around their waist, and the dog wears a vest with a tether attached to the person. They move in unison or pull each other along.
Note: On the Wisconsin state properties, skijoring and dog sledding are allowed on non-designated cross-country ski trails and anywhere off-trail as long as the property allows dogs. Dogs must be on a line/leash no more than 8 feet long. Contact the park or forest office if you have questions about where you want to recreate with your dogs.
Ice Climbing
To make climbing a year-round sport, there is ice climbing. Using special boots, crampons, ropes and an axe, and wearing a harness and helmet, ice climbing is similar to rock climbing where the climber works their way up a wall of ice. However, ice climbers create their own footholds using the toe of their crampons (spikes that go over your boots) and their own handholds using their axes.
Though limited in Wisconsin, Wyalusing and Governor Dodge state parks are two park properties that may have enough ice for climbers. This is a less predictable sport given that it depends on the prevalence of frozen water. Ice climbing has its own grading system (difficulty level) and requires specific gear. Reach out to outfitters or a climbing group for more information.
Kite skiing/ Kiteboarding
Kites can be used in a variety of physical activities. Kite skiing is the combination of, you guessed it, kiting and skiing. In some places, it's called kiteboarding – combining snowboarding and kiting. With your feet strapped into skis or a board and a harness attached to a parachute-like kite, the wind propels you forward with your feet elevating above ground and your arms steering the kite. This allows you to “ski” or “board” off peaks or hills. You can also do this activity on flat surfaces; kiteskiers can be seen making their way around Madison lakes on a windy day.
What are you waiting for? Get out and explore something new!
Photo credit: Matthias Buehler
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Sign Up For The Bob Ross Inspired Race
“Maybe in our world, there lives a happy little tree over there,” said painter Bob Ross. Help make sure Wisconsin state parks have more happy little trees when you participate in the Happy Little 5k race for the trees!
Sign up is now open for the Happy Little 5k, a Bob Ross-inspired virtual race. Runners, walkers and rollers can complete their 5K anywhere outdoors, anytime between Earth Day and Arbor Day (April 22-28). You set the pace and the place. Participants receive a Happy Little Trees shirt, commemorative bib and a finisher's medal.
Proceeds from the race benefit tree plantings and forest protection efforts in Wisconsin state parks. Be sure to select Wisconsin when registering. If you're interested in signing up a group of 10 or more, contact us for bulk registration.
Check the DNR's OutWiGo webpage in the coming weeks for suggested race loops in Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas.
Elroy-Sparta State Trail Named One Of 15 Best Rail Trails
Travel and Leisure magazine named Wisconsin's Elroy-Sparta State Trail one of the 15 best rail trails in the United States. Rail trails are multi-use trails that convert abandoned railroad infrastructure. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail was the first rails-to-trail project in the country, and its splendor - and joy - is part of its staying power!
Photo credit: Michigan DNR
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Newton Blackmour State Trail
Named for the towns it passes through – New London, Shiocton, Black Creek and Seymour in Outagamie County – the Newton Blackmour State Trail is open year-round. However, there may be times when certain activities are restricted.
The trail is a former railroad grade spanning 24 miles between New London and Seymour, running almost parallel to Hwy 54. It opened in 2015.
Parking and trailheads can be found in all four communities. At the east end of the trail after Seymour, visitors can take local roads through the Oneida Nation and then into Green Bay. Between New London and Shiocton, a bike path on County Rd. M takes bicyclists over to the Wiouwash State Trail in Hortonville.
The Newton Blackmour State Trail is open to hikers, bikers and snowmobiles during the winter months (and horses during equestrian seasons). The trail is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; however, the trail is not groomed, and users must share the trail with snowmobiles. A state trail pass is not required for this trail.
No ATVs or unauthorized motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail. This is strictly enforced. Snowmobiles must end their journey at the end of the Newton Blackmour State Trail outside of Seymour as they are not allowed on the Duck Creek Trail, which continues north into Brown County.
This trail is a community effort for these rural towns. As you cross into each community, look for signs that were installed as part of a School of Enterprise Marketing project by two New London High School students and benches made by an Eagle Scout.
Fun fact: Seymour lays claim to being the home where the hamburger was invented in 1885 by "Hamburger Charlie" Nagreen. You can see a 12-foot-tall statue of him in Seymour. Across the street and along the Newton Blackmour Trail, check out the 5000-pound grill that cooked the World's Largest Hamburger in 2001, now decorated with a larger-than-life cheeseburger.
The Newton Blackmour State Trail is located in Outagamie County. Learn more about it here.
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Learn To Snowshoe At Willow River State Park
Willow River State Park
Saturday, Jan. 28
1 - 3 p.m.
Join the Friends group at Willow River State Park and learn to snowshoe! We will provide basic instruction on how to snowshoe and then send you off to explore the park's snowshoe trails! This event costs $5 (cash or credit accepted), and vehicle admission into the park is required.
The program will be run on a first-come, first-served basis. We will supply snowshoes, or you can bring your own, and we will help you get them properly fitted to your boots. Please dress for the weather and bring along water, and good waterproof boots and pants. Meet at the Nature Center.
Lapham Peak Candlelight Hike/Ski
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak
Saturday, Jan. 28
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Join us for a Candlelight Hike/Ski at Lapham Peak! Participants should meet at the Homestead Hollow Parking Lot. This event requires a voucher. Please pick up your voucher from the office before the ski/hike. Contact colton.kelly@wisconsin.gov for more info.
Photo credit: Travel Wisconsin
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We're Hiring
Seasonal positions are available with the Wisconsin DNR. Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas are hiring for positions starting this spring and lasting through Labor Day or later. A wide variety of positions is available. Visit the DNR page of wisc.jobs and search 'parks' to see openings!
Photo credit: Beth Fiend, Wisconsin DNR
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What state park property are you most looking forward to visiting in 2023?
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