DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
How are you keeping cabin fever at bay, and who's along for the ride? / Photo credit: Jenna Byom
March can be tough for getting outside in Wisconsin: Will it snow today? Will it rain today? Do I pull my shorts out now? How muddy are the trails? Can I get one last ski in? The ever-changing weather can make it easy to hibernate inside and tricky to get out and explore. We invite you to embrace the challenge and still find your adventure, even if the conditions aren't perfect.
Research shows that being outside in nature is relaxing, reducing our stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rates – all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas offer activities for every condition. Here are some tips and resources for beating those winter blues.
Be Ready For All Conditions
It's great to keep those snowshoes in the car for the just-in-case moments, but don't forget the hiking boots. Gloves, hats, sunglasses and layers are great to have with you just in case, too. Your ready-to-go daypack should also include a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated while you enjoy the outdoors.
Regardless of the weather, it's good to keep a few essentials in your multipurpose daypack, such as navigational tools like a map or compass, food/snacks, plenty of water, poop bags and a water dish for four-legged companions, a first aid kit and a knife or multi-tool. It's never a bad idea to carry or wear layers depending on conditions.
It's good to think ahead and have a backup plan if you need to adapt your trip. If the snow conditions aren't in your favor, can you hike? Maybe there's a paved trail, driveway or boardwalk you can explore. Perhaps this is the time to head up the observation tower or take up birding. The Ice Age Trail is explorable in all seasons.
If you're hoping to do some mountain biking on those nice sunny days, think about trail conditions. When trails are too muddy, it can be ecologically detrimental to put too much use on them. Consider taking your bike, or your feet, to pavement. It might not be as physically demanding to jaunt through campgrounds or roads through parks, but consider it training for the peak season!
Try A New Activity
It's never too late, or too early, to try a new activity. With mild temperatures, maybe you want to try "winter camping." Hey, it counts even if the March daytime temperatures get to the 40s! Learn more about winter camping.
If you're interested in getting off the ground, guided rock climbing tours are available at several state parks. Cooler temperatures make for better rock conditions, anyway. Maybe you try out orienteering or geocaching; both activities are geared towards all-ages outside fun. Or, spend an afternoon doing the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, a 115-mile drive through six counties. Along the drive, you can stop to stretch your legs at any of the Kettle Moraine State Forest units.
Head Indoors
Yeah, we know... indoors?! Several indoor/outdoor spaces, like Havenwoods State Forest, keep you learning, moving and warm and dry. Interpretive centers at Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, Devil's Lake State Park, Interstate Park and Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit show the glacial history of Wisconsin's Ice Age. Use this season to explore other DNR facilities, such as the MacKenzie Center, Horicon Marsh Education Center and Crex Meadows Wildlife Area.
Plan Your Summer Vacation
Now is the time to start thinking about camping reservations; booking today will help prevent headaches later in the summer. Campsites at DNR properties are open for reservation up to 11 months in advance.
Before you visit the campsite, learn more about the properties you're going to visit. Many of our state park property pages offer history, geology and nature-based education so you can learn about the properties before you go. Once you know some of the backstory, the properties become even more interesting!
Take a look at trail maps and find out what's available depending on who is coming with you. Knowing which trails are universal, which are long and steep or which ones are bikeable might make for smoother decision-making when you're at the property.
Check our website or call the property you're planning to visit to find out what equipment is available to rent. If you don't own your own canoe or kayak, don't let that stop you! Likewise, many state park properties offer free tackle loaner equipment for fishing.
Check out what else is available around each park by visiting Travel Wisconsin or other tourism websites. Many local chambers of commerce websites offer resources where you can find restaurants, entertainment, museums and other recreation activities nearby. Scrolling through those restaurant reviews on a hungry stomach is never fun - so don't wait until you're desperate! Scope out places you want to try now.
With time to plan, this might even be the year you do that paddle and portage canoe camp trip!
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OutWiGo Green Comes To Kettle Moraine State Forest On May 13
Join the Wisconsin DNR and friends for a day of adventure, exploring and celebrating in the outdoors. OutWiGo Green is a special event set in our beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit in Eagle. Experience new-to-you recreation activities and learn more about conservation - "green" in all the senses!
Experience dozens of different activities and conservation and recreation topics. Hands-on learning activities include: ATV riding, archery, astronomy, backpacking, bicycling, birding, camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, insect collecting, kayaking, nature photography, orienteering, rock climbing, trail running and wilderness first aid - and more!
This day of fun is fit for OutWiGo-Getters of all ages, experience levels and abilities. Bring friends and family or fly solo.
Admission is $5 for adults 18+, participants under 18 are admitted at no cost. A 2023 Wisconsin State Parks vehicle admission sticker or day pass is required.
Local food vendors will have food available for purchase. A free, accessible shuttle will run on a continuous loop for participants to go between event locations.
The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. More information is available online, and a full schedule of events is coming soon!
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Seasonal Work At Wisconsin State Parks
You can join the team working seasonally at Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas this summer. Positions are now open across the state. Interviews for some positions are starting soon - apply today!
We are now hiring for:
Seasonal/ Limited-term Park Rangers: primarily responsible for providing recreation management, assisting with resource protection, managing public safety through maintenance, facility management, and administrative activities within the assigned area; maintaining internal and external partnerships to include local government, local interests, and other key stakeholders to establish and promote management, public safety and contribute to protection goals; assisting with outreach, promotion, and public relations for the property.
Seasonal/ Limited-term Visitor Services Associates: responsible for greeting park visitors, selling vehicle admission stickers, registering campers, fielding questions about the park or property and recreation opportunities, along with a variety of other administrative and financial duties.
Seasonal/ Limited-term Parks and Recreation Specialists: responsible for a combination of outdoor maintenance and/or groundskeeping work in addition to providing customer service for property visitors and/or campers; may operate machinery such as UTV's, ATV's, chainsaws, snowmobiles, hand tools, power tools, mowers, tractors and other motorized vehicles.
Pay, hours and more information is available online. Applications are only accepted online at wisc.jobs. Search by entering the keyword "parks" or by agency, Dept. of Natural Resources.
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 Last week, former Governor Tony Earl passed away at age 86. Gov. Earl served as Wisconsin's 41st governor. Prior to that, Gov. Earl served as secretary of the DNR from 1975 to 1980.
Former Gov. Earl’s lasting legacy is marked by his devout support of stewardship and conservation during his time both as governor and as secretary of the DNR. In 2019, Gov. Earl was honored with the renaming of the Peshtigo River State Forest as the “Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest.”
Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest is located in northeastern Wisconsin in Marinette and Oconto counties. The forest headquarters is about 16 miles northwest of the village of Crivitz within Governor Thompson State Park.
Twenty-five miles of river, 3,200 acres of water and 9,200 acres of forest await you on the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, the natural gem of Marinette County. This long, linear state forest borders some of the most beautiful and exciting sections of the Peshtigo River.
Take in year-round fun at this state forest, along with opportunities to connect with wildlife, forest, fresh air and water. Activities include ATVing, boating and canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, swimming, wildlife viewing and winter activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Anglers know the river's free-flowing portion for its excellent fly-fishing, while paddlers brave the Midwest's longest continuous whitewater rapids here.
We encourage you to visit the forest named in honor of former Gov. Earl, where you can witness the natural beauty and stewardship of our resources that were so important to him. Visit now or plan your summer trip. The forest offers a family campground and several remote boat-in campsites along the river.
Gov. Earl Peshtigo River State Forest is located in Crivitz. Learn more about it here.
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
Math In Nature/Discovery World's Girls and STEM Day
Discovery World
Sunday, Mar. 5
9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Italian mathematician Leonardo Bonacci discovered the Fibonacci sequence in 1202. This fascinating pattern is often found in nature and plants we see every day.
Join Lakeshore State Park staff at the neighboring Discovery World in observing this “golden rule” and see if you can spot the logarithmic spirals for yourself!
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Where do you OutWiGo during this mud season?
Share your photos on Instagram and Facebook and use #OutWiGo!
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