DNR Parks And Recreation News

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

Gov. Tony Evers announced “125 Years of Wisconsin’s State Parks” as the theme for the 2024 State Capitol Holiday Tree, celebrating the Wisconsin State Park System's 125th anniversary next year. / Photo Credit: iStock/Irina Starikova

 2024 State Capitol Holiday Tree Will Celebrate 125 Years Of Wisconsin's State Parks

Are you looking for a way to spread holiday cheer and your love for Wisconsin's state parks?

Gov. Tony Evers announced “125 Years of Wisconsin’s State Parks” as the theme for the 2024 State Capitol Holiday Tree in celebration of the Wisconsin State Park System's 125th anniversary next year. Kids, students and families are invited to make handmade ornaments for the tree.

Each year, the Capitol Holiday Tree is decorated with handmade ornaments. This year, students are encouraged to explore Wisconsin’s state parks for inspiration.

All students and families are welcome to submit ornaments celebrating “125 Years of Wisconsin’s State Parks” and should mail ornaments by Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 to:

Emily Gorman  
Wisconsin Department of Administration  
Division of Facilities and Transportation Services 
17 West Main Street, Suite 119  
Madison, WI 53703

Students are asked to make ornaments from non-breakable material. They must be strong enough to hold up during shipping and to be handled while the tree is being decorated. Please attach a 10-inch loop of ribbon or string to hang the ornament.

Learn more about this year's Capitol Holiday Tree and the anniversary of Wisconsin's state parks.

Opt Outside On Black Friday

Have you heard of REI's Opt Outside campaign? This idea encourages choosing the outdoors and skipping the shopping lines on Black Friday. As #OptOutside continues to grow each November, more and more people are choosing to spend the day recreating in new ways.

Similar to #OptOutside, #OutWiGo encourages mental, physical and communal wellbeing by inspiring adventure in natural settings across the state. We at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are committed to providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities so everyone can feel good in the great outdoors. Wisconsin DNR properties offer a wide variety of terrains, facilities and amenities to fit the needs of new and repeat visitors.

Consider how you might Opt Outside at Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas this month. Here are options to consider, just be sure to bundle up with layers!

• Attend a DNR Event
• Join a Friends Group
• Give volunteering a try
• Hike to a scenic overview
• Hit the mountain bike trails
• Make a leaf collage
• Observe the night sky on a clear night
• Lunch cookout at a designated picnic area
• Visit two or more properties this November

To learn more about parks nearby, visit the DNR's Find a Park webpage and find cycling routes at the DNR's Bicycle Trails webpage.

Celebrate #OutWiGo everyday, not just on Black Friday! Save time by purchasing your vehicle admission pass online. 

Outdoor News And Announcements

Harrington Beach received its first phase of road repaving. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Harrington Beach State Park Construction Update

The first phase of the road paving project at Harrington Beach State Park is close to completion. What once was a rough park road segment between the park office and campground is now much improved, with the potholes, bumps and cracks addressed. We’re excited about the improved visitor safety and access this park road now provides. Final walkthroughs are set for early next week.

Additional road repaving is still needed at the property going forward. Phase one of this road project used funding from the DNR's capital budget, for a total project cost of $448,850. Phase two of the road repaving is requested in the 2025-2027 DNR Capital Budget as part of an $8 million road infrastructure project for Harrington Beach State Park and Kohler-Andrae State Park. 

Harrington Beach State Park is located in the village of Belgium in Ozaukee County. The 715-acre park has more than a mile of beach along Lake Michigan and also features a white cedar and hardwood swamp, old field grasslands with restored wetland ponds and a scenic limestone quarry lake. The park has a 69-unit family campground, group campsites and an accessible cabin. 

Upcoming Events

Corn Husk People
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Richard Bong State Recreation Area
10 a.m. – noon

Letterboxing Adventure
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Devil's Lake State Park
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Letterboxing combines elements of hiking and treasure hunting into an activity that the whole family can enjoy. 

Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by following clues and recording their discovery in their personal journal. Drop-in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to go on a letterboxing adventure! We’ll have journals for you to take with you or you can bring your own.

Stop at the nature center to pick up the clues you need for this adventure.

Turkey Trot Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Willow River State Park
1 – 3 p.m.

Join us at the nature center for a turk-tacular scavenger hunt in honor of Wisconsin's famous Thanksgiving bird. Search for items, solve riddles and learn fun facts about turkeys along the half-mile Hidden Ponds Trail and receive a participation prize.

This event is free, but vehicle admission into the park is required. All outdoor events are weather-dependent.

Stargazing And Photography
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
9 – 10 p.m.

Stars and planets are swirling above; can you name the constellations? Bring your cameras and smartphones. With a few adjustments to your settings, you too can capture the cosmos in our forest.

Meet at Ottawa Lake Campground Shelter A- Southern Pk Rd, Dousman, WI 53118.

Poetry Walk
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit
2 – 3 p.m.

Join the naturalist on a leisurely hike through the forest, listening to the words of Aldo Leopold and others to find a new appreciation of this season.

Meet at the Nature Trail Lot (450 Powder Hill Rd).

Love this newsletter? Forward it to a friend! Help your friends and family stay up-to-date with news, highlights and events from the Wisconsin State Park System with our OutWiGo newsletter. To sign up for the newsletters, visit the OutWiGo webpage.