OutWiGo Green Wrap Up

We want to extend a giant "Thank you!" to everyone who braved the morning rain for OutWiGo Green on Saturday, May 13.

Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit was full of people enjoying a day of recreation and conservation learning, exploring and fun. The sun cleared up in the afternoon, making for a great day of activities.

Thank you to the 70+ organizations, businesses and DNR programs who participated, local food vendors and DNR staff who made this day possible! If you attended the event, please leave us your feedback on this post-event survey. If you missed out, we can't wait to see you there next year.

Be sure to share your photos from OutWiGo Green. On social media, use #OutWiGoGreen to share your favorite activities and memorable moments.

_{Photo Credits: Wisconsin DNR}

Ride Across Wisconsin (RAW)
This summer, Aug. 19 – 20, the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation is once again hosting the Ride Across Wisconsin (RAW) on several iconic state trails in its route across the state from La Crosse to Milwaukee. The annual Ride Across Wisconsin was created to promote the great riding opportunities across the state while raising funds for the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation. 

New this year, both mixed-surface and all-paved route options will be offered. The mixed-surface route will include sections of the La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, 400 State Trail, Glacial Drumlin State Trail and Hank Aaron State Trail. 

Volunteers are needed to help support RAW participants with food, water and encouragement at rest stops along the 235-mile course. See the Ride Across Wisconsin volunteer registration page for more information.

Sign up today! There are several route options to provide riders of many abilities to join in on the fun. A state trail pass is required for all riders age 16 or older. 

For more information, visit the RAW event page or DNR Event Calendar.

_{Photo Credit: Wisconsin Bike Federation}

Memorial Day Is Around The Corner
Before you know it, the three-day weekend that is the unofficial kick-off to summer will be here. To help plan your long weekend adventure, we encourage you to check out our hidden gems map and our summer exploration maps (scroll halfway down the page) to discover the lesser-traveled places across Wisconsin's state properties.

To help make visits stress-free for everyone, consider buying your vehicle admission sticker and state trail passes before you get to the state park, forest, trail or recreation area of choice.

Take a minute to review park, forest and recreation area maps so you can learn about different trails that are available. Checking out the maps can help you find trails that are truly "off the beaten path": see the parts of wild Wisconsin that aren't the most visited trails in your favorite park.

_{Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR}

Be Tick Aware
Fight the bite and protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease and other diseases caused by tick bites when you’re outdoors.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks, which can be as small as a poppy seed. Deer ticks are common in Wisconsin and live in wooded areas and brushy or grassy areas adjacent to woods. Because of their small size, deer tick bites can often go unnoticed. 

You can limit your chance of contracting Lyme disease and other illnesses spread by ticks by following these tips to avoid tick bites:

• Cover as much of your body as possible; ideally, wear long sleeves and pants and tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks.
• Walk in the center of trails where grass and vegetation are mowed.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot and remove quickly.
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors. You can also treat your clothes in advance with permethrin.
• Throw your clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high heat when you arrive home after recreating.
• Always check yourself, children and pets for ticks, especially behind the knees, under armpits, around the hairline and ears and at the waist.

If you do find a tick embedded in your body, remain calm and remove it as soon as you find it.

More information about ticks and Lyme disease is available on this website.

Seasonal Work At Wisconsin State Parks
Hurry! Applications are still being accepted for summer seasonal positions. Several areas of the state have openings for summer seasonal employees. 

Read more about open positions and the pay, hours and more information online. Applications are only accepted via the Wisc.Jobs website. To find all openings, search by agency and select Dept. of Natural Resources.

_{Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR}