DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 There are many state parks near tourism hubs, including Mirror Lake and the Wisconsin Dells. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Have Fun Indoors And Outdoors This Spring
With ever-changing weather conditions and temperature swings in Wisconsin, combining outdoor recreation with indoor activities can be nice, especially with this year's colder spring break.
Are you looking to integrate some indoor and outdoor fun for your family close to home? Try doing some at-home naturalist activities.
- Create a nature museum or diorama.
- Build a birdhouse or bird feeder.
- Find a recipe using foraged ingredients, then cook as a family.
- Start a garden and experiment with growing plants indoors and outdoors.
- Explore nearby parks and notice small details. Ask: where might this path go? What natural elements do I recognize on the forest floor?
- Read a book together outside and connect it with the surroundings.
- Exercise and make it a game. Provide challenges and rewards for locating or completing tasks.
- Practice building a campsite inside.
- Experiment with the Wisconsin Explorer Program and collect a new patch every year.
Another activity that may take more travel is to visit indoor waterparks. These are an awesome opportunity for your family to have fun, no matter the weather. Depending on your region of the state and the type of water experience you are looking for, Travel Wisconsin has recommendations on their Top Rides At Wisconsin Indoor Water Parks webpage.
Wisconsin getaway destinations, like Sheboygan, Eau Claire and Lake Geneva have amazing state parks nearby to explore. Use the DNR's Find a Park Page to locate outdoor recreation near you. Here are a few of our favorites near Wisconsin Dells:
Outdoor News And Announcements
 NRF Field Trip participants paddling by the Apostle Islands sea caves. / Photo Credit: Christine Tanzer
Explore Wisconsin On A Field Trip
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a nonprofit that protects our state’s lands, waters and wildlife and connects people with nature.
It's the 31st season of Natural Resources Foundation's Field Trips, and 275 trips are scheduled from April through early November. Field trips are expert-led adventures that explore Wisconsin in various ways, from paddling in Door County to steep, off-trail hiking in Green County. These trips often offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wisconsin’s natural treasures, many of which are not usually open to the public.
Some field trip opportunities this year include:
- Frogs and Toads of Sandhill Wildlife Area
- Introduction to Foraging
- Effigy Mounds at Nitschke Mounds Park
- Birding the Cedarburg Bog: Canoe and Hike
- Namekagon River: Wood turtles and Wildflowers
- Seeds for Pollinators at Dewey Heights State Natural Area
The full list of field trips is available in the Natural Resources Foundation Field Trip Guidebook. Each trip is labeled to indicate the physical demand and if it is family-friendly. The annual tradition is open for all ages and abilities, including 24 trips accessible for standard wheelchairs.
“We just want people to get out and explore Wisconsin,” said Christine Tanzer, NRF Field Trip program director. “Not only is it a joyful thing to do, and good for you - it also starts people thinking about all the conservation work going on around them and how they can help.”
Registration will be available online starting April 4 and is only open to Natural Resources Foundation members. Field trips are expected to fill up quickly, so sign up for the trips you're interested in as soon as possible.
Field trips are non-refundable and expected to run rain or shine. Dogs are not allowed on the field trips.
Learn more about the Natural Resources Foundation.
Upcoming Events
Animal Matching Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Willow River State Park
10 a.m. – noon
Join us at the park for a fun and educational egg hunt where we will see how well you know Wisconsin wildlife! Search for up to 50 hidden eggs containing pictures of baby animals along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail. Snap a picture of the baby animals you find, then return to the home base and match them up correctly with their mothers. Participants will receive a small participation prize.
This event costs $5/person or $10/family in support of our nonprofit's mission. Events are free to Friends members.
Vehicle admission into the park is required. All outdoor events are weather-dependent. Please meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
For more info, email naturecenter@willowkinnifriends.org.
Camp Cooking & Sunset Hike Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Richard Bong State Recreation Area
6 – 8 p.m.
Meet to celebrate the opening of Sunrise Campground with a campfire dessert and a sunset hike.
Meet at the fire pit near Shelter 1.
Nature Storytime: Rad Women
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Havenwoods State Forest
10 – 11 a.m.
Women’s History Month comes to life with this Nature Storytime about fantastic women from history and today. Bring your creative minds and curiosity and hear stories that inspire and empower and enjoy age-appropriate crafts. This event is free to attend and recommended for children ages 2-8. An adult must accompany all children.
Spring Adventure Day
Friday, March 29, 2024 at Havenwoods State Forest
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a day full of fun at Havenwoods State Forest 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 and bring lunch or snacks.
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outdoor Fun.: Yard games (weather permitting) and guided hikes at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (self-guided hiking is available all day)
- 10:30 a.m. Nature Tales: Enjoy a spring nature story with forest staff (ages 2-6)
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Spring Crafts: Create a sun print using items found in nature. Use soil and seeds to start a new plant in a container from home.
- 1 – 3 p.m. Animal Meet and Greet and Campfire with S'mores: Meet some animals inside* and make a s’more outdoors!
* Children under the age of 5 cannot touch animals but can look closely.
Love this newsletter? Forward it to a friend! Help your friends and family stay up-to-date with news, highlights and events from the Wisconsin State Park System with our weekly OutWiGo Newsletter. To sign-up for weekly newsletters, visit the OutWiGo webpage.
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