DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks certainly don’t shut down in winter, and neither should you. / Photo Credit: Joshua Kowalke
Winter Worthy – 8 Great State Parks For Seasonal Fun
Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks certainly don’t shut down in winter, and neither should you. Here are eight state parks perfect for exploring this season. So bundle up, brave the elements and find your winter adventure.
High Cliff State Park
When the bustle of warmer months subsides, this park on Lake Winnebago becomes a quieter respite, showcasing its unique geology and history. The park draws its name from the Niagara Escarpment’s limestone cliffs, formed millions of years ago and later used for burial mounds by early Native Americans. The interpretive Indian Mound Trail sheds light on the park’s history. The Red Bird Trail travels atop the Niagara Escarpment, looking at the park’s historic limestone quarries plus panoramic views of Lake Winnebago.
Copper Falls State Park
Snow fun is the name of the game at Copper Falls in winter, where annual snowfall totals average nearly 100 inches. Several park trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, multi-use trails are great for winter hiking and snowshoeing, and visitors can find ice-fishing opportunities on Loon Lake.
Mirror Lake State Park
A designated state natural area within the park impresses visitors in every season, but maybe most of all in winter. Fern Dell Gorge State Natural Area’s short and narrow gorge fills with fantastic ice formations once water seeping from the sandstone walls freezes. Pulpit Rock Trail, accessed at the State Natural Area parking lot, features lovely views of the gorge and Mirror Lake narrows.
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL)
Three S’s sum up winter recreation in the NHAL: skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Dozens of miles of trails are tracked for cross-country skiing, with plenty of other areas open for hiking and snowshoeing. For snowmobilers, the NHAL features nearly 400 miles of trails maintained by local snowmobile clubs and connecting to area trails.
Willow River State Park
There’s just something about a frozen waterfall – it’s almost like stopping time itself – and the formations created in winter at Willow River are second to none. Several of the park’s trails take visitors to scenic views of Willow Falls, including the Pioneer Trail, featuring a spectacular overlook.
Blue Mound State Park
With numerous opportunities for winter recreation, Blue Mound State Park is a popular “off-season” destination. More than 10 miles of trails are groomed for skiing while snowshoeing and hiking are allowed anywhere away from ski trails. There’s a sledding hill near the pool parking lot for even more fun.
Kettle Moraine State Forest
Snow-making equipment, a variety of terrain and night lights on some trails make the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Lapham Peak Unit the perfect destination for cross-country skiers. Lapham Peak also features a 45-foot observation tower built on Waukesha County’s highest point (1,233 feet). The Northern and Southern units of the Kettle Moraine offer skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and ice fishing, plus a combined total of nearly 150 miles of snowmobiling trails.
Wyalusing State Park
Bald eagles congregate around open water in winter, and Wyalusing’s location at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers makes it an excellent spot to see these majestic birds. Bluffs rise 500 feet over the Mighty Mississippi, with several trails providing stunning views of both rivers and opportunities for eagle-watching.
A few things to keep in mind about Wisconsin state parks in winter:
- Once winter grooming begins, ski trail conditions can be found on Travel Wisconsin's Cross Country Ski Report.
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Candlelight ski, snowshoe and hiking events are among the most popular park activities in winter, often hosted by Friends Groups as fun outings and fundraisers.
- Nature walks, kids’ activities and more also happen throughout winter. The DNR’s events calendar is your up-to-date source for winter events.
- Cross-country skiing at most state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas requires a state trail pass for ages 16 and older, $25 for an annual pass or $5 daily.
- Snowmobile trail passes (different from the state trail pass) are required and are available through the DNR’s licensing system.
Welcome Winter With The Latest Issue Of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine
Tag along on a black bear den survey and see how the DNR tracks bear populations.
Embrace the cold and find your winter adventure by checking out a list of beautiful snowmobile trails around the state, and make sure you're geared up for winter by reviewing winter driving tips from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Learn about the effects of climate change on Wisconsin’s wine-making industry, plus find a mulled wine recipe for a delicious winter warmer.
As a bonus, the print edition of the Winter issue includes the 2023 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks calendar, featuring winning images from the Friends’ annual state parks photo contest.
The full winter issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources is available online. For the print issue, there’s no better time to subscribe or give as a gift with a special holiday rate: five issues for just $5 through Jan. 2, 2024. Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-9472.
Property Highlight: Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
 Kettle Moraine - Northern Unit provides over 20 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
The first and largest unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest offers year-round recreation among world-famous glacial landforms. Visitors can enjoy groomed ski trails, hike the Ice Age Trail, take in a nature program, or just escape among 30,000 acres of rolling, wooded hills and prairies. The Ice Age Visitor Center is open all year.
Cross-Country Skiing
Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit boasts more than 30 miles of groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails. Over 20 miles of rolling trails are groomed for cross-country skiing at the Greenbush and Zillmer recreation areas.
A state trail pass is required for all skiers age 16 and over. Pets, hiking, snowshoeing and biking are not allowed on the ski trails when they are snow-covered.
Ice Fishing
The lakes freeze over for about three months each winter. The forest does not monitor or measure the thickness of the ice on the lakes. Ice thickness and safety can vary from day to day and from location to location. Use your best judgment about the safety of the ice. Access to Butler and Forest Lakes is not maintained in the winter.
Snowshoeing
Hikers and snowshoers may explore several miles of trails that are not groomed for skiing. Some trails in the forest that are open for snowshoeing include the New Fane Trails, Moraine Nature Trail, Tamarack Nature Trail, Parnell Trail, Butler Lake Trail and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Snowmobiling
The forest has about 60 miles of snowmobile trails. The opening and closing of snowmobile trails are at the discretion of each county. The Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report, local club and county snowmobile webpages and telephone hotlines will provide the most current information.
Upcoming Events
Tracking Hikes - Paradise Springs
Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023
10 a.m. – noon
Tracks are everywhere at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit! On the ground, in the snow and even underwater, tracks show us where wildlife has traveled. Join us for a hike to find and identify tracks! What will you find?
This is an easy, half-mile paved trail. Meet at W374 S8640 County Rd. N, Eagle, WI 53119.
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Winter Fun Day
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a day full of winter fun at Havenwoods while school is out! Outdoor adventures, indoor crafts, and fun activities to engage school-age children will be available all day. Explore and play while making new friends. This event is for children accompanied by a guardian. Please dress for the weather.
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10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outdoor Adventures: Guided hikes at 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m. (self guided hikes all day!)
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10 & 10:30 a.m. Nature Tales: Enjoy a wintry nature story with forest staff (ages 2-6)
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10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Winter Craft: Decorate your own bandana with nature-themed stamps!
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11 a.m. – noon Emily Ford Short Films: Emily Ford is the coolest! Join us for a showing of TWO films about her outdoor winter adventures
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1 – 3 p.m. Animal Meet & Greet and Campfire & S'mores: Meet some animals inside* and make a s’more outdoors!
* Children under five are not able to touch animals but can look up close.
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Wilderness Academy: Winter Tracking & Stories
Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Wilderness Academy is a science and project-based education designed for students aged seven and older. Each session combines educational activities and games with take-home learning extensions to help students do more in-depth exploration of related topics.
What stories do animals leave behind? Children will search for these clues while hiking on the trails and use them as inspiration to create their own stories. Children will also be able to make their own tracks to take home. This program is free, and no registration is required.
Meet at Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, N7725 State Highway 28, Horicon, WI 53032.
Photo Credits: Wisconsin DNR
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