DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Evan Strand’s submission depicts a night spent camping under the stars.
DNR Announces 2025 Sticker Design Contest Winner
Rice Lake High School junior Evan Strand is the winner of the 2025 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest. Congratulations, Evan!
This year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received more than 150 entries from Wisconsin high school students for the 2025 State Park Sticker Contest. Many submissions depicted scenes of favorite outdoor recreation activities including camping, hiking, bicycling, paddling and climbing.
Strand’s submission captures the essence of a night spent camping under the stars. His linear design features the warm glow of a campfire as it illuminates an evergreen tree on a clear night. His winning design will be printed on state park and forest vehicle admission stickers and displayed on more than 500,000 vehicles.
The second-place winner is Jehiel Josh De los Santos, also of Rice Lake High School, and the third-place recipient is Joe Bellante of Catholic Central High School.
View the top 2024 contest designs on the DNR website. Thank you to everyone who submitted!
Outdoor News And Announcements
Governor Nelson State Park now has an official Friends Group. The Friends of Governor Nelson State Park have officially become a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Governor Nelson State Park. Their three main focuses are:
- Volunteer services that sustain, restore and improve the natural habitat and cultural, historical and recreational resources of the park.
- Financial and in-kind support to preserve and enhance the park’s resources, raising funds through membership dues, donations and grants.
- Sponsor and support interpretive services and environmental education activities, presentations and special events for the benefit of park visitors and the public.
If you are interested in joining the new Friends Group, you can find more information on their webpage. The group will play a huge part in enhancing the park's resources for years to come.
Property Highlight: Hartman Creek State Park
 Hartman Creek offers a peaceful and quiet experience. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Hartman Creek is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Green Bay and about 2 hours north of Madison. It is west of Waupaca on Hartman Creek Road, south of State Hwy 54 and north of State Hwy 22. The park straddles the Waupaca-Portage county line.
Hartman Lake has a 300-foot sand beach and a large marked-off swimming area. The beach is adjacent to 3 acres of multi-use lawn area containing picnic tables, drinking water and a combination of changing and toilet building.
Paddlers can launch canoes or kayaks from the boat landing off Knight Lane on Manomin Lake and paddle through the east end of Hartman Creek State Park and the Pope Lake Natural Area to Marl Lake, where they can take time to ponder the depths of the lake's crystal-clear waters. From the floating dock at Marl Lake, a stone staircase leads to the Whispering Pines picnic area where paddlers can break for lunch. The picnic area has tables, grills, bathrooms, drinking water and a vehicle access point and parking lot off Whispering Pines Road.
The campsites are in either a red pine forest or an old apple orchard/hardwood mix of trees. The campgrounds have spacious sites, and the family campground has two shower and flush toilet buildings. From Dec. 1 through April 1 both the family and group campgrounds are closed.
There are four picnic areas with tables, benches, grills, drinking water and parking:
- On the south side of Allen Lake, with an open-sided shelter, playground and vault toilets.
- On the south side of Hartman Lake, with a fully enclosed shelter and vault toilets.
- At the beach near the east end of Hartman Lake, with an open-sided shelter attached to a concession stand, a playground and vault toilets.
- Whispering Pines, on the north side of Marl Lake, with flush toilets.
- The Allen Lake Shelter sits at a scenic spot along the south shore of Allen Lake. Picnic tables can accommodate up to 40 people. The shelter is ideal for small gatherings. Water and electricity are available either at the shelter or nearby.
- The beach shelter, located on the east end of Hartman Lake, is the largest of the park’s three shelters and is connected to the park’s concession stand. The shelter can accommodate up to 50 people, providing a nice reprieve from the hot summer sun and a great view of Hartman Beach and Hartman Lake.
- The Hartman Lake enclosed shelter is one of the more popular shelters at the park and is located at the west end of Hartman Lake. Accommodating up to 50 people, the shelter provides a wonderful gathering spot throughout the year. The shelter features a wood-burning stove with burning materials, chairs and tables and power for electrical appliances. Reservations are encouraged.
Upcoming Events
Guided Kayak Tour
Friday, Aug. 2, 2024 at Devil's Lake State Park
7 – 9 p.m.
Go on a kayaking adventure at Devil’s Lake. The naturalist will take you on a 2-hour tour of the lake, exploring the lake’s geology, history and wildlife.
Space is limited, so please register by contacting the Nature Center at 608-356-8301 ext. 140 and let us know if you need to rent a kayak. The rental fee is $25 for a single kayak and $45 for a double. This program is best for adults and children over 10 years old.
Meet outside the Chateau at the North Shore Concessions.
Meet The Ranger
Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024 at High Cliff State Park
2:30 – 4 p.m.
Visit with a park ranger and discover what their job is like and what kind of equipment they use. Presented by park staff. Meet at the Campground Amphitheater.
Stargazing At The Dark Sky Park
Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 at Newport State Park
9 – 10 p.m.
This event takes place on Aug. 4 or 5, whichever night has the best viewing conditions.
Join us at Wisconsin’s only designated dark sky park for a night of stargazing. There will be telescopes and other equipment set up with some of Door County’s best amateur astronomers on hand to point out some highlights of the night sky. All are welcome to bring their own telescopes or binoculars. Flashlights or headlamps with a red lens cover are recommended.
It is always a good idea to come during daytime hours to familiarize yourself with the area first. As conditions are unpredictable, the date for this program will be decided as weather conditions are assessed. Check with the park office or the Facebook page for updates.
This program will be canceled if viewing conditions are poor. There is no seating available, so bring your chair or a blanket. Park at Lot 3 and follow the marked path.
Summer Blooms
Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 at Horicon Marsh Education Center
10 – 11 a.m.
Join the park naturalist on this weekly hike. All are welcome to participate, enjoying the health benefits of hiking, and you’re encouraged to hike at your own pace. This week’s hike will be Newport/Ridge Trail (east), a moderate 3-mile loop. Meet at Lot 3.
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