DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Visit Mirror Lake with your new 12-month vehicle admission pass. These passes will be available starting Dec. 2. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Mark Your Calendar: New 12-Month State Park Admission Passes Go On Sale Dec. 2
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)'s State Park System is moving to a 12-month vehicle admission pass model! This year’s winning design will also reflect and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System.
The new pass will be available for purchase beginning Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Save time by buying your passes online.
How does the 12-month vehicle admission pass work? The admission pass will be valid for 12 months from the time of purchase and will be marked to indicate the month/year it will expire. The pass remains valid until the final day of the 12th month following the month in which it is issued. For example, a pass that is marked to expire in March 2026 will be valid through March 31, 2026.
As a bonus for those still needing vehicle admission passes this year, 12-month vehicle admission passes purchased in December 2024 will be valid through January 2026.
Reduced-rate vehicle admission passes will still be available for additional vehicles registered to the same address. Reduced-rate passes must be purchased at the same time as the full-price pass or at a later date with proof of purchase of the full-price vehicle admission pass. Passes for additional vehicles will expire in the same month and year as the household’s full-price pass.
Online orders will receive an email receipt with a confirmation number that can be used immediately for park entry. Online purchases of 12-month vehicle admission passes will be delivered pre-marked with the expiration month and year according to the date of purchase.
Many companies and organizations also purchase vehicle admission passes for their members each year. Customers interested in bulk orders of 12-month passes on behalf of themselves or their organization should contact DNRFWPPRWIParksStore@wisconsin.gov.
Watch for more information on this new admission option in upcoming editions of the OutWiGo newsletter.
2025 Vehicle Admission Pass Fees
A vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas. Admission passes can be purchased online or at most individual properties via drive-up window service or electronic sales kiosks.
Vehicle admission fees include daily and 12-month rates. A 12-month admission pass costs $28 for vehicles with Wisconsin license plates or $38 for vehicles with out-of-state plates.
If there is more than one vehicle registered to the same household, additional vehicle passes are available for $15.50 for in-state plates and $20.50 for out-of-state plates. A senior citizen 12-month sticker is available for $13 to Wisconsin residents 65 years of age and older. Daily passes are $13 for vehicles with Wisconsin licenses plates and $16 for vehicles with out-of-state plates for all properties in 2025.
Outdoor News And Announcements
Havenwoods Is Hiring!
Do you have a passion for working with youth? Havenwoods State Forest is hiring for a part-time natural resources educator to begin in mid-January to assist with the large number of field trips bringing urban youth (mainly elementary school) to the outdoors! This position will typically work Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and pays $15.30/hr. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Opt Outside Hike
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit
10 a.m. – noon
Join the Ice Age Trail members to enjoy the great outdoors instead of fighting the crowds on Black Friday. The Pike Lake Segment has a variety of interesting glacial features that are sure to impress, no matter the season.
Meet at the beach (3250 Kettle Moraine Road).
Opt Outside Hike
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, Lakeshore State Park
11 a.m. – noon
The #OptOutside movement was started by the outdoor retail company REI in 2015.
#OptOutside provides an outdoors alternative to Black Friday shopping. Join our naturalist at the south entrance to Lakeshore State Park and promote the #OptOutside hashtag on social media when sharing photos and videos of our walk through the park. Opt out of shopping for this one day and opt in to having some fun outdoors!
Dress for the weather! Hike will begin at the park's south entrance sign, all ages and abilities welcome.
Opt Outside Hike With Friends Of Devil's Lake
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, Devil's Lake State Park
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Choose to opt outside this Black Friday with the Friends of Devil's Lake State Park. Join us for a post-Thanksgiving hike, meandering the East Bluff Trail to Devil's Doorway and returning to the trailhead via East Bluff Woods. Gather at the Rock Elm Shelter.
All are welcome. Volunteers will be on-hand to hike. No experience is necessary and a group pace is anticipated. Choose to enjoy the day outside. Refreshments and a fire will be available afterward.
Opt Outside Hike
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars for Friday, Nov. 29 and join Havenwoods State Forest as we work to green up Black Friday.
We will venture outdoors and head out on the trail to explore. Change your Black Friday routine this year and #OptOutside!
Please dress for the weather and wear shoes you feel comfortable hiking in. This hike will be 1.5 miles over mostly even grassy and gravel terrain.
Stewardship Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
9 – 11 a.m.
Join our staff to help remove invasive plants and keep the property beautiful for all to enjoy. Stewardship Saturday is the last Saturday of each month. We appreciate our volunteers!
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sunscreen/insect repellant and dress for the weather. If you have a pair of work gloves to use, please bring them. If not, we’ll have some to borrow for the day, as well as knee pads, shovels and other tools. Please bring your own water bottle (water bottle filling stations are available in the nature center). No experience necessary.
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.
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