DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Lakeshore State Park is a short walk from the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Recreation Near The City
Many of Wisconsin's 50 state parks, 44 state trails, nine recreation areas and 15 state forests are located in rural parts of the state, but did you know there are also some urban park properties?
In the Madison area, check out Capital Springs Recreation Area, Governor Nelson State Park, the Capital City State Trail or Military Ridge State Trail.
In La Crosse, the La Crosse River State Trail hugs downtown La Crosse through Riverside Park.
In Green Bay, you can visit Heritage Hill State Park for a look back at Wisconsin history or head over to find Lost Dauphin in DePere. You can also pick up the Mountain-Bay or Fox River state trails in Green Bay.
In Stevens Point, check out the Green Circle State Trail, on paved and wooded segments around the perimeter of Stevens Point.
In Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park runs along Lake Michigan near Discovery World and in front of the Henry Maier Festival Park (aka the home of Summerfest). This accessible open space offers excellent views of Lake Michigan and serves as a meeting spot for people from across the city.
Havenwoods State Forest is in the heart of northwest Milwaukee. This 237-acre forest offers a reprieve from the busy city and includes a nature center. No admission fees are required to visit. Also in Milwaukee, the Hank Aaron State Trail connects to several other county and city trails and spans 14 miles through some of Milwaukee's most popular sites, like the Historic Third Ward, the Mitchell Park Domes and State Fair Park.
Recreating in urban areas provides a different experience from recreating in rural locations, like having access to restaurants, amenities and cell phone service, but whether you're in the town or country, there's a state park property near you.
No matter how you OutWiGo, we hope you have fun, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors.
Find more parks, forests, trails and recreation areas on our Find A Park webpage.
Outdoor News And Announcements
New Online Tool For Analyzing Water Quality
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the release of the Wisconsin Water Explorer, a web-based tool that can help Wisconsin residents address concerns about the quality of water in their local lakes or rivers.
Answering water-quality questions requires sophisticated computer software and extensive datasets. The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool makes scientific data analysis accessible to the public by automating the process of finding and analyzing data. The tool provides insights into current conditions and trends through graphs, maps and automated reports.
The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool also consolidates several water quality tools into one platform. For example, Citizen Lake Monitoring Network volunteers can now access and share automated annual reports summarizing data from their respective lakes.
Paul Skawinski, statewide educator for the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network, appreciates the Wisconsin Water Explorer tool's ease of use.
"Both volunteers and staff use Wisconsin Water Explorer to quickly generate and download PDF reports and graphs to understand how a lake's water quality has changed over time. It's very easy to print these files or share them with other interested people around the lake,” Skawinski said.
The Wisconsin Water Explorer includes an updated version of the Wisconsin Lake Modeling Suite to help non-technicians analyze whether a lake adheres to water quality standards, identify likely sources of pollution and determine the necessary level of improvement for restoration.
The new tool is available on the Wisconsin Water Explorer webpage.
Those interested in participating in water quality monitoring in their area are encouraged to join the Wisconsin DNR's Citizen Lake Monitoring Network or Water Action Volunteers or to reach out to their local water quality biologist.
For additional information regarding water quality activities at the DNR, visit the Water Quality Bureau's Surface Water webpage.
Property Highlight: Governor Dodge State Park
 Governor Dodge is a kayaker's paradise. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Governor Dodge State Park is one of the state's largest parks, with over 5,000 acres of steep hills, bluffs and deep valleys plus two lakes and a waterfall. Located in Wisconsin's scenic driftless area, Governor Dodge offers camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing, off-road biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding opportunities.
There are eight designated picnic areas. Picnic shelters are available at Enee Point, the amphitheater, Twin Valley picnic area and Cox Hollow and Twin Valley beaches. Contact the park office for shelter reservation information.
There are accessible shelter buildings at Cox Hollow Beach and Enee Point picnic areas. Accessible toilet facilities and picnic tables are provided at both beaches, Cox Hollow boat landing and Enee Point picnic area. Accessible water fountains are conveniently placed throughout the park.
Governor Dodge State Park has an open amphitheater and several shelters that can be reserved for special events. Reserve a shelter online.
Learn more about the following reservable amphitheater and shelters at Governor Dodge State Park on the Wisconsin State Parks Reservation System.
- Amphitheater
- Cox Hollow beach – west shelter
- Cox Hollow beach – east shelter
- Enee Point shelter
- Trails End shelter
- Twin Valley beach shelter
- Twin Valley picnic shelter
Swimming beaches are located on both lakes. Bathhouses are found near both beaches. The beaches are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. No lifeguards are on duty.
There are launching ramps on both Cox Hollow and Twin Valley Lakes. Electric motors are permitted on both lakes. Boat mooring is permitted May 1 through Oct. 31 at designated areas only.
Upcoming Events
Window To The Universe
Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Harrington Beach State Park
8 – 11 p.m.
Learn about and view the universe you call home with the Northern Cross Science Foundation. The provided telescopes and educators are sure to excite you and leave you even more curious.
Be sure to bring your questions and your bug spray.
Meet at Puckett's Pond Picnic Area, park admission is required.
First Aid For Kids
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Kohler-Andrae State Park
11 a.m. – noon
Bring the kids to the nature center and help them put together a small first aid kit they can take home and use when exploring the great outdoors. With instruction by avid campers Tom and Jocelyn, you’ll learn what to do for minor cuts, scrapes, poison ivy and bug bites.
Meet at the Sanderling Nature Center, parking lot P3.
The Amazing World Of The Bat
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 at Rib Mountain State Park
1 – 2 p.m.
Join us at the Friends Gathering Space (southwest of the Park Office/Ranger Station) at Rib Mountain State Park. North Lakeland Discovery Center's Naturalist, Lucia Kuckkahn Johnson (aka “the bat lady”), discusses the incredible world of bats. Lucia will examine the unique biology and ecology of bats, their benefits and threats. The focus will be on bats of Wisconsin but also includes the benefits of other bats worldwide.
Lucia will have many bat artifacts for all ages to explore along with her live education big brown bat named Edgar.
Forest Bathing
Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at High Cliff State Park
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Join Nature Nate on a meditative hike through the Forest Management Trail and learn about the many hidden health benefits of hiking in the woods.
Meet at the Forest Management parking lot. Class size is limited to 12 people. Please call the High Cliff park office at 920-989-1106 to register.
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