DNR Parks And Recreation News

What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas

Leaf-covered hiking trails add extra color and crunch to late-fall hikes.

Crunchy, Leaf-Cover Trails Provide
Perfect Hiking Opportunities

Are you looking to pick an outdoor adventure this season? Take a hike! While fall colors may be fading, this presents an opportunity to crunch over leaf-lined trails. If there was ever a time to look down, it's now!

Things to consider for hiking this time of year:

• Know local hunting seasons and locations
• Wear blaze orange
• Make some noise
• Dress in layers
• Consider gloves, a hat or even a scarf for cooler days
• Be aware of sunrise and sunset times
• Double-check the weather

There are tons of options for a variety of wants, needs and skill levels. Try some of the featured routes below, or find your own on our Find A Park webpage.

Family-friendly and accessible trails:

• Plantation Path Trail (1.8 miles) at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak: This trail begins at the Homestead Hollow area and is an interpretive trail through a prairie and wooded area.
• Echo Rock Trail (0.6 miles) at Mirror Lake State Park: This trail begins near the Cliffwood campground or boat landing parking areas. This trail offers a scenic vista of Mirror Lake and a connection to the Ishnala trail across a 150-foot clear-span bridge over the Mirror Lake Gorge.

Trails with distance and flat topography:

• Parnell Tower Trail (3.5 miles) at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit: The trail begins its loop with a series of steps leading to the highest point of elevation in the forest. A 60-foot observation tower rises above the treetops for a birds-eye view of the glacial landscape. The trail follows the Ice Age Trail near a rustic backpack shelter reservable for camping. Picnic tables, grills, drinking water and vault toilets are adjacent to the trailhead. 
• Forest View Trail (3.5 miles) at Governor Thompson State Park: This beautiful trail loops through the forest's center, beginning near Woods Lake.

More challenging trails with grade and topography changes:

• Eagle Bluff Trail (2 miles) at Peninsula State Park: This trail features remarkable 150-foot cliffs, springs and forested terraces. Several steep, rocky sections offset a level segment that parallels Eagle Harbor. Trilliums and thimbleberry brighten the trailside, as does less common cranberry viburnum. Access the trail at Eagle Terrace, Eagle Panorama or Tower.
• Sentinel Ridge Trail (1.6 miles and 500-feet of elevation gain) at Wyalusing State Park: Running from Point Lookout to the boat landing, this trail turns the corner from the Wisconsin River to the Mississippi River. Midway along the trail is the Passenger Pigeon Monument. A series of nature labels describing park history and Indian Mounds are found along the "loop" of Sentinel Ridge. This section of the trail is wide and level, providing access to the mobility impaired. The trail takes a steep drop down to the Mississippi River.
• Nelson Farm Trail (3.7 miles) at Willow River State Park: This new scenic trail extends from the bridge on the Trout Brook trail through much of the north half of the park, ending near Willow Falls. The trail passes through a wide variety of habitats, including river bottom, wetlands, prairie areas, mature oak forest and old-growth white pines. It leads to a breathtaking vista on the north side of the lake. The terrain varies and includes some very steep hills.

Outdoor News And Announcements

Volunteers along the Greenbush trail segment. / Photo Credit: Patrick Gleissner

Ice Age Trail Improvements In Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit

Recently, the 60-plus-year-old Greenbush Trail segment of the Ice Age Trail was partially rerouted to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for hikers. This segment passes through the beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit.

The operation, led by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, created 4,800 feet of new high-quality, sustainable trail. Better yet, this reroute aligned the trail to easily access a new pedestrian underpass put in place by the Department of Transportation. 

Thanks to 122 volunteers donating 2,687 collective service hours to the project, the trail now provides enhanced scenic views with a wider, less-steep route, elegantly winding along several kettles. 

Learn more about volunteering with the Ice Age Trail Alliance on their website.

Badger Orienteering

Consider attending Badger Orienteering events this fall. On Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an orienteering event will be held at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit. The event starts at the Trecker Lodge near the Homestead Hollow parking area. More details and a registration link will be found on the Badger Orienteering website two to three weeks before the event.

Preregistration for participants is strongly encouraged, and volunteers are needed as well!

What should you bring for orienteering? We've made a list:

• A compass, if you have one. Some loaner compasses are available. 
• A watch or other time-keeping device.
• Weather-appropriate clothes suitable for walking/running outdoors. Closed-toe shoes are a must! Long pants and long-sleeved shirts may also help prevent touching poison ivy, ticks and the like.
• Participants must carry a whistle in case of emergency. Carrying a cell phone can't hurt, but cell reception isn't always reliable in our parks.
• A water bottle or hydration pack.
• Map bag to keep your map dry (available at the event, but please save and re-use when possible).

Upcoming Events

Three-Mile Fall Color Hike At Kinnickinnic State Park
Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, Kinnickinnic State Park
10 – 11 a.m.

A Geological Tour Of Willow River State Park
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, Willow River State Park
10 – 11 a.m.

Lace up your hiking boots and join the naturalist on a 4-mile hike. You’ll learn about several geological landforms within the park, some dating back over 500 million years.

We’ll start by gaining background on geology and Wisconsin's geological past, and you'll have a chance to look at some amazing fossils, rocks and minerals. Then we’ll head out on a 4-mile hike (round trip), which will include some unlevel terrain. The presentation is roughly 1 hour long, and the hike will take around 1.5 hours to complete afterward, depending on the pace of the group. 

Please come dressed for the weather and bring along water, a snack, binoculars and a camera if you wish. Please note: people are more than welcome to come for the presentation portion of the program and opt out of the hike.

Fall Night Hike
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
6:30 – 8 p.m.

Join us out in the crisp fall air as we hit the trails with the bats and owls! Flashlights are highly recommended on this hike.

This hike will start at the Ice Age Trail at Headquarters. 

Meet at S91 W39091 Hwy 59, Eagle WI.

This hike has moderate hills and runs 1.5 miles. 

Knee High Naturalist
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, Richard Bong State Recreation Area
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Meet at Shelter 1 with your 3 to 5-year-old and enjoy learning all about bats! Enjoy a story, craft and hike with your Knee High Naturalist!

If you have a large group or need special accommodations, please call 262-878-5602.

Bat Fact!
Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, Lakeshore State Park
6 – 7 p.m.

Bats are a vital part of many ecosystems but are often misunderstood animals. Join Lakeshore’s naturalist for a hike around the park to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Together, we’ll discuss bats native to Wisconsin, threats to bat populations and how we can all help.

Dress for cool weather. The hike will begin at the park’s South Entrance (approximate coordinates: 43.029163, -87.895880). All ages and abilities welcome!

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