DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Smokey Bear will be stopping at DNR-managed properties around the state to celebrate his birthday with all of you!
Smokey Bear Is Turning 80!
This year is Smokey's 80th Birthday! Come celebrate everyone's favorite bear with us at any of the many birthday events happening throughout the state.
Smokey's message of personal responsibility has been a constant reminder of the importance of fire safety in our parks, especially with campfires.
State regulations allow fires for cooking, ceremonies or recreation, except when emergency burning restrictions are in effect. A DNR wildfire prevention burning permit is not needed for these types of fires. Some local ordinances may be more restrictive, so always check with your local officials before burning.
Check the daily fire danger before you start a fire, and never leave a fire unattended. You may be held responsible for fire suppression costs and any damages associated with an improperly controlled fire.
Campfire setup:
- Using existing fire rings if possible.
- Clear away vegetation and flammable materials.
- Check for overhead debris.
- Keep the fire small.
- Have plenty of water nearby for extinguishing.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
Steps to putting out your campfire:
- 1. Drown it!
- 2. Stir it!
- 3. Feel it!
More in-depth fire safety guidance can be found on the DNR's Open Burning page.
Outdoor News And Announcements
Accessible Outdoor Recreation in Wisconsin
Recently, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin highlighted accessibility at state parks and interviewed Nick Zouski, DNR accessibility coordinator.
Shelly Torkelson dives into the universal infrastructure, equipment and other recreational opportunities newly featured at many parks across the state.
Read the article.
Property Highlight: High Cliff State Park
 Check out the beautiful Butterfly Trail at High Cliff State Park.
High Cliff State Park is on the northeast corner of Lake Winnebago in Sherwood, Wisconsin.
This park offers several accessible opportunities, including a cabin, campsites, a fishing platform, a universal playground, picnic shelters, a boat launch with an accessible boarding pier and universally accessible trails. The accessible cabin can accommodate up to six people for up to four nights. The cabin is available from May through mid-October. For more information on state park accommodations, visit the DNR's Accessible Recreation page.
High Cliff State Park offers several camping opportunities for visitors, with a family campground, an outdoor group camp and an accessible cabin for people with disabilities.
The family campground has 112 campsites (32 with electric hook-ups and two accessible sites) and eight group campsites. Campground hosts stay on site 58 from April through October. Pets are permitted in the family and group campgrounds.
The family campground has a flush toilet/shower building for overnight guests and several vault toilets throughout. The shower building is open seasonally, from May to mid-October.
A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are available and free to use by all registered campers. There is a $10 fee for others to use the dump station.
High Cliff State Park has four picnic areas with tables, grills, water and restrooms. Two picnic areas have playgrounds and swings, one of which is accessible to people with disabilities. A wooden playground is also available in the campground. Shelters include the Gathering Space (enclosed and open shelter), the Lower Shelter (open shelter) and the Pines Shelter (open shelter).
A universal playground is located in the upper day-use area; shelters have routes of travel and are accessible.
Upcoming Events
Flintknapping Demonstration
Friday, July 26, 2024 at Mirror Lake State Park
5 – 6 p.m.
Meet the naturalist and members of the Driftless Pathways organization down at the Bluewater Bay Shelter near the shower buildings to get a hands-on demonstration of flintknapping, which is the process of making stone tools.
Near the end, visitors will have an opportunity to make some stone tools if they like.
South Trail Hike At Kinnickinnic State Park
Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Kinnickinnic State Park
10 – 11 a.m.
Join the Naturalist at Kinnickinnic State Park and discover her favorite hiking trail. This 3-mile hike takes you through several different habitats and offers beautiful views of the River. Along the way, we can identify different species of flowers, trees, fungi and, if we’re lucky, wildlife. Please dress for the weather and bring water, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, a camera and a snack.
This event is free, but vehicle admission into the park is required. Donations are welcome. All outdoor events are weather-dependent. For more info, email NatureCenter@willowkinnifriends.org.
Explorer Book Workship Drop-In
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Mirror Lake State Park
1 – 3 p.m.
Meet the naturalist at the beach anytime from 1 - 3 p.m. to grab an explorer book and work together to complete some of its activities.
If the book is completed, a patch will be awarded.
Fire Building 101
Monday, July 29, 2024 at Horicon Marsh Education Center
10 – 11 a.m.
Did someone say fire? What if you get lost in the woods and it is cold outside? Would you be able to start a fire to keep warm? Join us to learn how to start a fire using bow drills and flint and steel to survive the great outdoors.
This free event will be held at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, located at N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI. Registration is not required. For more information, contact Liz Herzmann at Elizabeth.Herzmann@wisconsin.gov or 920-387-7893.
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.
|
