DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Swimming with your pet can be a great bonding experience while enjoying Wisconsin State Parks. / Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Take A Swim With Your Pet
No matter your swimming experience, these tips will help you plan a memorable and safe aquatic outing with your animal companion. Before heading out, be sure to research our pet swimming areas. Not all of our state parks allow pets, including Copper Culture State Park, Heritage Hill State Park and Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area.
- Before the trip, make sure your pet is healthy and ready to be around other animals.
- Consider packing a dog life jacket, bowl, fresh water and a towel.
- First time swimming? Start with shallow water. Let them get comfortable walking in the water.
- Never leave your pet unattended. Supervision keeps your pet and others safe.
- Choose calm waters over areas with strong currents or high flow.
- After swimming, rinse your pet with fresh water to remove irritants and mud and keep your car clean.
- Make sure your pet drinks water and has a restful spot to relax after swimming.
Swimming with your pet can be a great bonding experience while enjoying Wisconsin State Parks. By planning ahead, you ensure a fun-filled adventure for you and your furry, four-legged friends.
Outdoor News And Announcements
 This project will pulverize, reshape and repave the main park road at the southern entrance of the property. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Pardon Our Dust At Perrot State Park
The main road (south entrance) to Perrot State Park will remain closed for road construction until approximately May 24, 2024. The park will remain open during this time, and visitors should use the north entrance (Park Road) to access the park.
This project will pulverize, reshape and repave the main park road at the southern entrance of the property. This road is approximately 20 feet wide and 13,000 feet long, with several areas as narrow as 16 feet. This project seeks to widen the road to 22 feet or 24 feet. Several areas have ponding issues, which will require grading and drainage corrections. The road will be repaved with hot-mix asphalt pavement.
This project was approved for construction at the State Building Commission in August 2023. It is funded with a Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON) grant through the National Park Service and funds from the DNR's capital budget.
Property Highlight: Harrington Beach State Park
 Beautiful views of Lake Michigan are a feature of the Point and South picnic areas. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
On hot summer days, the prime attraction of Harrington Beach State Park is the mile of Lake Michigan shoreline. Visitors enjoy the refreshing lake breezes while picnicking on the groves of trees overlooking the lake.
Beautiful views of Lake Michigan are a feature of the Point and South picnic areas. Point picnic area and Puckett’s Pond picnic area by the upper parking lot have reservable shelters. There are also sand volleyball courts in the park that can be found at both the North and South picnic areas.
On display in the Point picnic area overlooking Lake Michigan is the anchor of the freighter Niagara, which was consumed by fire just off the shore in 1856, killing as many as 169 people (the purser did not have records of the number of passengers). Scuba divers will want to explore the remains of this wooden steamship, located a few hundred yards offshore in about 80 feet of water.
Swimming in Lake Michigan is a sure way to cool off during a hot day. Please use caution, as the lake can be dangerously cold. Use good judgment when deciding whether to swim and, if you do, how long to stay in the water. No lifeguards are present.
There is not a boat launch at the park. Users of small watercraft or floatation devices should be aware of the wind conditions on Lake Michigan. Strong west winds can blow watercraft away from the shoreline. Parents, watch your children at all times. Rubber rafts and other boats require personal floatation devices.
Harrington Beach State Park offers several accessible opportunities, including a universally accessible trail, an accessible cabin and campsite, accessible picnic shelters, a universal playground and a paved path to the beach. Additionally, the park has a beach wheelchair that can be checked out at no charge. Call the property for more information on the beach wheelchair. For more information, visit the DNR's Accessible Recreation Page.
Harrington Beach State Park also has seven miles of hiking trails and one mile of Lake Michigan shoreline to explore. Walking the beach along Lake Michigan, hikers can see the remains of a 700-foot pier that was used in the early 1900s for shipping limestone quarried and processed at the park. The old pier is on the point, which is the dividing point between the north and south beaches.
Upcoming Events
Take A Hike!
Friday, May 17, 2024 at Interstate Park
1 – 3 p.m.
Walk down the Summit Rock Trail and enjoy the view of the Dalles of the St. Croix River.
The park naturalist will be roaming the trail to answer any questions or discuss Interstate’s unique biology and history.
Night Sounds Hike
Friday, May 17, 2024 at Horicon Marsh Education Center
8 – 9 p.m.
Some of the tastiest mushrooms can be found in St. Croix County if you know where to look!
Join us for a presentation where you’ll learn when, where and how to pick them yourself. Then, join the naturalist on a short optional hike afterward (weather permitting) to see how many we can find in the park. Be sure to wear closed-toe hiking shoes and long pants if you plan to join the hike afterward.
This event costs $5 per person. Vehicle admission into the park is required.
Seats are limited for this event, so please register to attend.
Plants That Attack!
Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Wyalusing State Park
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
There are a number of plants that anyone who spends time outdoors in our area should be aware of. In our presentation, you’ll learn to identify those that can burn, sting and make you sick. We’ll also give you some tips on what to do if you have a close encounter with one of them.
Meet at the Peterson Interpretive Center (inside the Peterson Shelter).
*Sorry, pets are not allowed inside state park buildings and shelters.*
Adopt-A-Highway
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Richard Bong State Recreation Area
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Join our volunteers in the important task of roadside clean-up along the highway! Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot. Please dress for the weather.
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