DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Help park staff by cutting down on waste! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Do Your Part To Keep Our Parks Clean
This Holiday Weekend
Labor Day Weekend is here, and thousands of Wisconsinites and visitors are expected to hit our many state parks, forests and recreation areas.
If you're planning a fun outdoor adventure, the DNR would like to remind you that some park and forest picnic areas, shelters, beaches and other day-use areas do not have garbage or recycling bins, so you will need to take your garbage and recyclables home with you.
Why?
The parks belong to all of us, and we need to take care of them and keep them clean. Removal of the garbage and recycling containers eliminates smells and messes and cuts down on insects, skunks and other pests. Less cleanup for DNR staff affords more capacity for other important tasks around the property. Thank you for your help in keeping the land and facilities pristine!
Ideas For Cutting Down On Waste
Wisconsin state law requires us to recycle many materials we used to throw away. We can also make new choices of what to bring with us. The more reusable items we pack, the less garbage we create. It's good for us and the environment.
Reuse
- Bring reusable cups, plates and utensils.
- Bring beverages in reusable containers.
- Use cloth napkins and tablecloths.
Reduce
- Buy durable outdoor equipment that will last a while. Avoid junk purchases that lead to frequent replacement.
- Repair old equipment where possible. Replace the torn webbing on beach chairs. Put patches on leaky air mattresses. Don't throw them away just yet!
Recycle
- Separate recyclables from the rest of your trash.
- Typical recyclables: aluminum cans, steel (tin) cans, bimetal cans, #1 and #2 plastics, glass, paper and cardboard. Bag and dispose of them through your community recycling program.
- Typical non-recyclables: paper or cardboard that has contained food and #3 - #7 plastics. Discard these items in your home garbage.
Outdoor News And Announcements
 The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair was worth the wait! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Thank You For Visiting State Fair
Thank you to everyone who visited the DNR at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair! For 11 days, DNR conservation wardens, park staff, fisheries, wildlife and natural heritage conservation biologists and communications staff had the pleasure of talking in-person with fairgoers at Exploratory Park. As always, we thank you for the conversations and questions, and we hope we inspired your next adventure at Wisconsin parks, trails and forests.
Property Highlight: Point Beach State Forest
 Interested in history? Visit the historic lighthouse at Point Beach State Forest! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Point Beach State Forest features 3,000 acres of land and 6 miles of sandy beach along the shores of Lake Michigan and offers family campsites, two large group cabins and an outdoor group camp.
It also has accessible opportunities and amenities, including accessible campsites, picnic shelters and a universally accessible trail, also known as a universal trail.
In addition, the property has two outdoor wheelchairs, a beach wheelchair and a motorized all-terrain tracked wheelchair. Both chairs are available to check out at no charge. For more information on the outdoor wheelchairs, call 920-794-7480. For more information about accessible recreation opportunities, visit the Accessible Recreation webpage.
There are also 3.6 miles of horse trails at Point Beach. A horse trailer parking lot is off County Highway O, just north of the main entrance. Horse trails are open May through October.
The Lighthouse
A popular feature of Point Beach is Rawley Point and the lighthouse operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The first lighthouse was a brick tower and home that served mariners until 1894, when a new steel tower was installed.
The light is on top of a steel tower that rises 113 feet above the lake's surface and is one of the largest and brightest on the Great Lakes. It is visible up to 19 miles away and operates from a half hour before sunset until a half hour after sunrise.
The old brick light tower was cut down, roofed and became a part of the keeper's house. These structures, framed by evergreens and a blue sky, have become a scenic attraction in Wisconsin.
Before the new lighthouse was built, 26 ships foundered or stranded on the point. The most tragic sinking in the point's unpleasant history occurred in 1887 when the Vernon steamship went down in heavy seas. The cause of the sinking remains a mystery.
Since the lighthouse went into operation, tragedies have ended. The lighthouse can be viewed and photographed from the beach, but tours are not usually available.
Upcoming Events
Raptors
Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 at Wildcat Mountain State Park
7 – 8 p.m.
Join Abbey from River Valley Raptors for an interactive program about raptors. Meet live raptors and learn about the differences between their adaptations and why they are so important to the Coulee Region.
The event will be held outdoors at the amphitheater. The path to the amphitheater is packed dirt and gravel but can accommodate mobility devices of all kinds. Bathrooms and drinking water are available near the campground, about 150 yards away.
No pets, please.
Wilderness Days
Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 at Newport State Park
All Day
This event was started in 1992 as a way for the members of Newport Wilderness Society, the park’s official friends’ group, to showcase their beautiful park. On Labor Day weekend, volunteers lead hikes and programs covering many interests.
No pets, please.
Saturday, Aug. 31
- 8:30 a.m. – Coffee On The Beach
- 10 a.m. – Newport Past And Present Tour; Hotz Trail
- 1 p.m. – Our Pollinators: How To Protect And Plant For Them
- 2:30 p.m. – The “Tick Talk Docs” Talk About Ticks And Tick-Borne Illnesses
Sunday, Sept. 1
- 10 a.m. – Herb Hike
- 1 p.m. – Forest Forensics
- 3 p.m. – History Of Days Gone By: Newport’s Founder Peter Knudsen
- 4 p.m. – Newport State Park 60th Anniversary Potluck And Celebration
- Bring something to pass and celebrate with us. There will be park trivia, and prizes.
K-9 Search & Rescue Demonstration
Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 at Kohler-Andrae State Park
4 – 5 p.m.
Join human and K-9 members of Great Lakes Search & Rescue to learn how their specially trained dogs assist in locating missing persons and recovering evidence. Since 1993, Great Lakes Search & Rescue K-9 Inc. has been providing specially trained dogs to assist in locating missing persons and in evidence recovery.
We will begin in the Sanderling Nature Center auditorium with a 30-minute presentation. Then, weather permitting, we will move outdoors to see the dogs in action. No pets are allowed.
Meet at the Sanderling Nature Center, parking lot P3.
The Mound Builders
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 at Wyalusing State Park
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the mound-building cultures and the history of the mounds within the park. Following the talk, there will be a flat 1/2-mile walking loop around the procession of mounds for those interested.
Meet at the Passenger Pigeon Monument parking lot.
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