DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 You're invited to take the Mammoth Hike Challenge! Trek 44 miles on the Ice Age Trail and visit three Trail Communities to earn a certificate marking the accomplishment. / Photo Credit: Sara Rigelman
Take The Mammoth Hike Challenge This Fall
Fall color is here and it's only getting more beautiful each passing week! Take this opportunity to explore the colors along the Ice Age Trail.
This October, our friends at the Ice Age Trail Alliance invite you to take the Mammoth Hike Challenge. Trek a total of 44 miles on the Ice Age Trail and visit three Trail Communities to earn a certificate marking the accomplishment. Sign up as a solo, duo, team or family.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is located entirely within Wisconsin. It is one of 42 designated Wisconsin state trails and the only one specifically designated as a State Scenic Trail. From Interstate State Park on the Minnesota border to Potawatomi State Park on Lake Michigan, the Ice Age Trail winds for more than 1,000 miles, following the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin.
Can't get to all 44 miles of hiking in this month? The Ice Age Trail Alliance offers bonus miles through participation in various tasks:
Have you already completed the challenge in previous years? There is still plenty of room to grow. This October, the Ice Age Trail Alliance challenges participants to:
- Explore a new-to-you segment
- Get "lost" in the fall colors
- Visit a portion of Trail that's new since last year
- Make a new Trail friend
- Hike at night, at sunrise or sunset
- Scale an esker, marvel at a kame and saunter through a tunnel channel
The Mammoth Challenge is free. Simply register on the Ice Age Trail's website to get started.
Outdoor News And Announcements
 A state park and forest vehicle admission sticker is required at state parks and recreation areas.
New 12-Month State Park And Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker
Starting in 2025, the new 12-month state park and forest vehicle admission sticker will be valid for a full 12 months from the month of purchase, instead of expiring at the end of the calendar year. Upon purchase, the sticker will be marked to indicate the month in which it will expire.
Vehicle admission stickers let you access more than 60 state park, forest and recreation area properties across Wisconsin. A 12-month vehicle admission sticker or daily vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles entering state parks and recreation areas. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a vehicle admission sticker. Admission revenues fund Wisconsin State Park System operations.
The new 2025 12-month vehicle admission stickers will go on sale Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Vehicle admission stickers are available for purchase online, at state park system properties and at DNR service centers.
Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day
This Saturday, Oct. 5 is the 20th year of Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day! Use this day to promote cycling safety, natural adventure and fitness by enjoying an hour out on the trail with your family.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association provides numberplates for kids to print out and decorate, as well as tips on fun and easy biking activities. Find more information on the International Mountain Bicycling Association's website.
Changes To OutWiGo Newsletter Frequency
To accommodate upcoming special editions of this newsletter, the OutWiGo Newsletter frequency is changing from every Friday to every first and third Friday of each month. Watch for special edition newsletters being released intermittently on the off weeks.
Upcoming Events
Ice Age Center Workday
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
9 a.m. – noon
The June workday was canceled due to heavy rain. It will now be held on Oct. 5. The Friends of Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit are excited to fund some of the invasive species control work around the Ice Age Center this fall and winter.
This is a volunteer day for the removal of some of the invasive shrubs at the Ice Age Center.
We plan to hire a contractor to open up the view from the deck to the outwash plain. Over the years, trees have grown and now block the view. We also plan to manage the prairie that was planted when the building was erected and rid the adjacent trails of buckthorn and honeysuckle. We would like to show visitors what a healthy ecosystem looks like.
Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center parking lot on Hwy 67.
Big Sit Birding Event
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, Kohler-Andrae State Park
9 – 11 a.m.
Bring your camp chair, binoculars, field guides and apps and join the Moraine Shores Audubon for a World Migratory Bird Day Big Sit event. Anyone who likes birds is welcome to help identify the many bird species migrating through the park. A list of birds seen and heard will be created during this event.
Come and go as you wish. Binoculars are available for use. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Vehicle admission is required. The program happens weather permitting.
Meet at Sanderling Nature Center, parking lot P3.
Leaf Stomp
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Join us for a beautiful fall, non-competitive hike along the rugged Ice Age National Scenic Trail through the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit.
Pick one of four routes for this autumn activity: 22-mile, 15-mile, 10-mile or 5-mile. A shuttle will take you from the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area to the starting spot for your route.
Snacks and drinks will be available every 5 to 7 miles, along with other services along the trail. For the 22-mile and 15-mile routes, we recommend that hikers be over 16. An adult must accompany hikers under 16.
No dogs are allowed at the Leaf Stomp. The event will happen sun, wind or rain as it is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Register and learn more about this event on the Race Roster website.
Fall Foliage Painting
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Willow River State Park
1 – 2 p.m.
Shorter days and cooler nights have brought out the beautiful fall colors we’ve all been waiting for. Throw on your cozy fall sweater, grab a cup of warm apple cider and join the naturalists in a self-guided painting class. We will provide canvases, acrylic paint and other painting supplies, but feel free to bring your own along. There are only 20 spots available for this event and registration is required.
This event costs $15 (cash or card) in support of the Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks' mission.
Vehicle admission into the park is required. All outdoor events are weather-dependent.
Meet at the Dam Pavilion at the end of the park road.
Forest Bathing
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy the wonders of nature using all your senses during this family-friendly forest bathing walk. A tea break and snacks will be provided. The walk is led by Anne David, a certified nature and forest therapy guide. All ages are welcome. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes early. The walk will happen rain or shine.
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