DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Campsites in the fall offer unique and beautiful views. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Camping in the fall is just as wonderful as camping in summer, and often with less crowds and more availability. Why else go camping in the off season?
Fall camping offers new opportunities from the summer camping season. Wildlife use this time to prepare for winter and can be seen running through the underbrush. Cooler weather pairs great with campfires and comfortable sleeping. Reduced leaf cover overhead also opens up stargazing opportunities at campsites which may have been further sheltered earlier in the season. Lastly, and most importantly for some, there are fewer active mosquitos.
Here are some tips to get the most out of fall colors from your campsite:
- Make sure the campground will be open during your trip date. Many campgrounds close for the off season and will not accept camping reservations. Find an available campground on the Wisconsin Going To Camp website.
- Look for fall events happening at our state parks, forests and recreation areas near or at your campground on our Events calendar.
- Expect reduced daylight when planning set-up and activities. Prepare with alternative light sources.
- Waterproof your gear and check your tent's rainfly and groundsheet before heading out. Use waterproof containers and bags keep other gear dry, pack waterproof and quick drying clothing and invest in waterproofing boot spray if not already waterproofed.
- Pack layers and insulate your spaces, as daytime temperatures may be mild and pleasant but you could encounter surprisingly cold mornings, evenings and nights. Bring hats and gloves to cover extremities when needed, use thicker or multiple pads conserve your body heat and investigate sleeping bag temperature ratings to find comfort in cooler conditions.
- Plan for hot food and drinks to warm up before bed and in the morning after a cold night.
- Stay hydrated – it's important to even without hot weather.
For those campgrounds that do remain open late into the season, most general water access is shut off at or before the ground freezes in that region. If you have a reservation, call ahead and ask for more information. Properties open for extended winter camping usually have a winter water source.
To explore available campgrounds and reserve a site, head to our Wisconsin Going To Camp website. Find some camping location inspiration from our friends at Travel Wisconsin. To find more parks near you, check out our Find a Park webpage.
Registration Opens For Happy Little 5K
Start planning now for the annual Run for the Trees event, inspired by Bob Ross, the American painter, art instructor and television host of the PBS show "The Joy of Painting," and his love of the outdoors.
Runners, walkers, hikers and rollers can complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 26). Find a place to run your 5K at a Wisconsin state park or forest website. Registration is available now on the Run For The Trees: Happy Little 5K website.
This event is an excellent opportunity to get some exercise and protect our natural resources at the same time. Race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks, such as invasive plant and forest pest management and early detection surveys.
The registration fee includes a keepsake Happy Little t-shirt, commemorative bib number and finisher's medal.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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 Southern Ringle is one of many Ice Age Trail segments across the state. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Southern Ringle State Ice Age Trail Area
For the third installment in our series of Ice Age Trail hikes on State Ice Age Trail Areas (SIATAs), this week we shift north to Marathon County.
SIATAs are lands managed by the DNR Bureau of Parks and Recreation with the Ice Age Trail as the primary use.
Located about 2.75 miles northwest of Hatley in central Wisconsin, this 3-mile portion of the Ringle segment of the Ice Age Trail is located entirely on the 742-acre Southern Ringle State Ice Age Trail Area.
The only parking for this SIATA is at its south end, along Poplar Lane. Please do not park cars along Phoenix Street, Hoot Owl Drive or Mole Brook Road.
This Ice Age Trail segment weaves along a glacial end moraine with ponds, hills, kettles and deep forest. The Ice Age Trail Alliance constructed beautiful stone stairs at key locations.
The Ice Age Trail is marked with yellow blazes. A separate snowmobile trail also crosses the property, which can be used as part of a loop hike when there is no snow.
Public hunting is allowed on parts of the property that are more than 300 feet from the Ice Age Trail. Wear some bright orange clothing when hiking this time of year.
The Ice Age Trail is a partnership project of the National Park Service, Wisconsin DNR and Ice Age Trail Alliance.
Photo Credit: Ice Age Trail Alliance
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Window To The Universe
Friday, Oct. 20, 2023
8 – 11 p.m.
Learn about and view the universe you call home with the Northern Cross Science Foundation. The provided telescopes and educators are sure to excite you and leave you even more curious. Be sure to bring your questions and bug spray. Meet at Pucketts Pond Picnic Area within Harrington Beach State Park; park admission is required. Call 262-338-8614 or 262-375-2239 with questions.
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Fall Pumpkin Hike
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
6 – 8 p.m.
Please join Friends of Hartman Creek State Park for a family friendly evening of hiking illuminated park trails along Hartman Lake. Over 500 luminaries decorated by local grade school students will light up the 1.2-mile trail around Hartman Lake.
After your hike, stop by for apple cider, donut holes and a campfire.
A vehicle admission pass is required, which will be available at the park entrance station during the event.
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Badger Orienteering Club Map And Compass Navigation Event
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join the Badger Orienteering Club at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit for a skill-building map-and-compass navigation event. Learn more about the sport and art of point-to-point navigation in unfamiliar terrain. Using a compass and map, find control points placed along a course. A beginner, intermediate and advanced option is available for all orienteers.
Beginner instruction is available with a clinic offered shortly after the start time.
Bring a compass if you have one, hydration, close-toed shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, whistle and map bag to keep your map dry.
Registration and an exact meeting location will be announced two weeks prior.
More info is available on the Badger Orienteering Club's website.
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Nature Art
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023
10 a.m. – noon
There is beauty all around us.
Join MacKenzie naturalists to discover "nature art." We'll collect our own materials to create art with mostly natural items.
Please dress for the weather and feel free to bring your own bag or basket for nature collection.
Meet naturalists at the Badger Den parking lot of the MacKenzie Center.
Find more information on these and other events on the DNR Events calendar.
Photo Credits: Wisconsin DNR
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