DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Unwind near Point Beach State Forest's calm waters. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Take A Trip To The Coast
Unwind, relax and have a wellness weekend at Wisconsin state parks! This week we're highlighting fun getaway activities paired with beautiful state parks and beaches on expansive Lake Michigan.
Luckily, our geographic layout lends itself to beach opportunities from Wisconsin's southern to northern tips. Below are six properties with excellent access to Lake Michigan waters. Try to mix and match getaway activities with visits to these wonderful beach properties.
Lake Michigan Beach Properties (south to north)
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Lakeshore State Park
- In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park is an urban oasis offering a small beach and accessible paved trails that link to Milwaukee's other lakefront parks and the Hank Aaron State Trail. The park offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan and has a reservable overnight boat slip.
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Harrington Beach State Park
- Harrington Beach State Park has more than a mile of beach along Lake Michigan. Camp, sunbathe, picnic, hike, bird watch, fish or practice astronomy at one of the observatory's monthly public viewings.
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Kohler-Andrae State Park
- Named for John Michael Kohler and Terry Andrae state parks, Kohler-Andrae is the home of majestic sand dunes, miles of golden beach, shimmering blue Lake Michigan water, whispering pines, an abundance of wildlife and recreational activities.
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Point Beach State Forest
- Point Beach State Forest features 3,000 acres of land and 6 miles of sandy beach along the shores of Lake Michigan. Point Beach offers family campsites, two large group cabins and an outdoor group camp. A popular feature within the property is the Rawley Point Lighthouse, operated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard since 1853.
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Whitefish Dunes State Park
- Whitefish Dunes State Park protects the fragile dune environment on the eastern Door County Peninsula. Stroll along Lake Michigan or on one of the many trails throughout the huge sand dunes and forest at this day-use park. The park's reservable picnic shelter overlooks Lake Michigan and is adjacent to the nature center, beach and hiking trails.
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Newport State Park
- Newport's wilderness experience offers over 2,300 acres of forest on 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 30 miles of hiking trails and backpack camping as a quiet alternative to bustling Door County.
Getaway Activities
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Winery tour and tasting: Explore the wineries and vineyards near you! Enjoy wine paired with local cheeses and chocolates. Travel Wisconsin has some great regional recommendations in their Local Wisconsin Wine Tasting article.
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Yoga by the lake: Join a yoga class or practice on your own by the blue waters.
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Take a culinary tour: Explore the local food scene and visit farmers markets, artisanal food shops and restaurants specializing in farm-to-table cuisine.
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Rent a bike and ride the coast: Rent bicycles for a leisurely ride along coastal roads and trails. Enjoy the water and stop at charming towns along the way. Find more information on trails on the Bicycle Trails webpage.
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Local shopping: Explore shops and boutiques in downtown areas. Shop for crafts, jewelry and other souvenirs to remember your stay. Travel Wisconsin's 5 Wisconsin Coastal Towns To Visit With Your Family article has must-see locations to inspire future trips.
Outdoor News And Announcements
 The Bobolink is the Great Wisconsin Birdathon's Bird of the Year. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Join The Great Wisconsin Birdathon
Birds have been declining across North America, and Wisconsin is no exception. To try to reverse this trend (and have some fun along the way), birders are “gathering their flocks” for Natural Resources Foundation’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon, the state’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation.
The Birdathon is like a walk-a-thon-style fundraiser, but teams log bird sightings instead of miles. Teams choose their birding adventure and participate in a wide variety of ways. Some go birding for a couple of hours in their backyard, while others travel to a birding hotspot and count as many species as they can for 24 hours.
The Birdathon is for everybody – people of all birding skill levels are encouraged to participate. Teams can register starting now and go birding anytime between April 15 and June 15 anywhere in Wisconsin!
This year’s Bird of the Year is the Bobolink, a species of special concern in Wisconsin. Past Birdathon proceeds have supported this bird through funding restoration and management initiatives of their grassland habitat. This year’s Bobolink Birdathon t-shirt design was created by a Wisconsin-based graphic designer (and Birdathon-er), Brooke Weiland. Learn more and buy your gear.
Upcoming Events
Work Play Earth Day
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Interstate Park
9 a.m. – noon
Help park staff get the South Campground ready for the upcoming season. Volunteers can help by picking up garbage, cleaning fire rings, cutting brush and helping remove debris from hazard trees.
Volunteers should meet at the gate to the south campground at 9 a.m. Tools and supplies will be provided by park staff. Volunteers should wear outdoor work clothes, boots, gloves and have a water bottle.
Friends of Mackenzie Maple Festival
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at MacKenzie Center
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ever wonder how maple syrup goes from being in a maple tree to on your pancakes and waffles? Join us at the Friends of MacKenzie Maple Fest to learn about the past and present of maple sugaring practices!
This "sweet" event will offer all things maple syrup related, from a variety of drop-in activities to guided tours of our sugarbush, demonstrations on how to tap a tree and interpretive talks about the historical methods and cultural importance of maple sugaring in Wisconsin.
Concessions and local Wisconsin maple syrup will also be available. This event is free and open to the public, and you will not need a state park sticker to attend.
For any questions, please reach out to our education team at 608-635-8112 or email AbigailR.Janey@wisconsin.gov.
Note: There will not be a pancake breakfast this year.
Solar Eclipse Viewing
Monday, April 8, 2024 at Newport State Park
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for this daytime celestial event as we enjoy a partial view of the solar eclipse. There will be some special viewing glasses available to safely view the eclipse.
Schedule
- 12:30: Learn about the eclipse
- 12:57: Eclipse begins
- 2:10: Maximum (86% totality)
- 3:33: Eclipse ends
Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather. Please meet at Lot 3.
Eclipse Viewing Event
Monday, April 8, 2024 at Lakeshore State Park
1 – 3 p.m.
Join the Friends of Lakeshore State Park and a park naturalist to view North America's last total solar eclipse for the next 20 years!
While we are not on the "path of totality," we will see 70-80% of the sun eclipsed by the moon. Bring ISO-certified eclipse glasses or a pinhole viewer or buy a pair to support the Friends of Lakeshore State Park (supply limited). Remember to never look at an eclipse without special eye protection.
Meet at the benches across from Pebble Beach, about midway through the park. Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. The eclipse will be at its fullest a little after 2 p.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
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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