DNR Parks And Recreation News

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

Join us to celebrate 125 years of the Wisconsin State Park System in 2025! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Be Part of History! Help Celebrate 125 Years Of The Wisconsin State Park System

Join the fun next year and help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System! Spend time on public lands, attend commemorative events and learn more about the park system’s history. How did it all start? In 1899, the Wisconsin state legislature approved an act providing funds to acquire land for what is today Interstate Park, established in 1900, with land acquisition beginning in September of that year. Interstate Park also marks the founding of the Wisconsin State Park System, which has since grown to include state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas comprised of over 307,000 acres of public land. Since 1900, Wisconsin has established 50 state parks, 44 state trails, 15 state forests, 9 state recreation areas and 8 river and resource areas. Today, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to invest in programs and initiatives that ensure this statewide system of outdoor recreation properties remains an accessible connection to Wisconsin’s natural resources for visitors. The 125th anniversary will be commemorated with celebrations and special events led by state park system staff and partners throughout the year. Visit the DNR Events Calendar to find details on events happening across the state. Contributions by Friends Groups, volunteers and community partners are vital to the success of event offerings! Learn more about how to get involved on the DNR’s Volunteer Opportunities webpage. Looking to try something new in 2025? Equipment rentals allow you to participate in outdoor recreation activities that require extra gear, such as kayaking, canoeing or bicycling, without needing to buy equipment. These are an excellent option for new recreators or those looking to develop their skills. Maximize your 125th anniversary celebration participation by purchasing a 2025 Wisconsin state park and forest vehicle admission pass early in the year. Both daily and 12-month vehicle admission and trail passes are available for purchase online. Customers who order their 12-month vehicle admission pass online will have it shipped directly to their preferred address. Remember, in 2025, the 12-month state park and forest vehicle admission passes will be valid until the date marked on the pass rather than expiring at the end of the year. See you soon at a property near you!

Outdoor News And Announcements

Holiday Crafts

Need holiday gifts for friends and family? Prefer homemade decorations to generic store-bought items? Look no further! The Wisconsin DNR is offering a wide range of winter craft programs over the next few weeks including winter painting and wreath making using natural materials. Contact the events listed below to register. See the DNR Events Calendar for more information! 

Bulk Admission Pass Sales

Save time when purchasing multiple admission passes with our bulk ordering process. Members of your company or organization will appreciate a Wisconsin State Park 12-month vehicle admission pass gift! Bulk orders are for pass quantities of 20 and above.

If you are interested in purchasing a bulk order of 12-month passes on behalf of yourself or your organization, please contact DNRFWPPRWIParksStore@wisconsin.gov and a Wisconsin State Park System representative will work with you to process your bulk order. You must submit your email with the subject line “Bulk Order Request –Vehicle Admission Passes – (Name of Organization, if any)” and include the following information:

• Contact Info
  • First and last name
  • Organization name (if any)
  • Full shipping address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
• Order Info
  • Vehicle Admission Pass Type(s), such as resident, nonresident, senior etc.
  • Quantity
    • Minimum of 20 passes per bulk order. Need just under 20 passes? Submit an email inquiry
• Payment Info
  • Tell us whether you intend to pay with either a credit card or check.
    • DO NOT provide your credit card details via email
  • Whether you require an invoice or not

Orders take about two weeks to process/ship, therefore bulk orders should not be used if your organization needs the passes immediately. Please remember there is no discount for bulk orders.

Thank you for supporting the Wisconsin State Park System!

Upcoming Events

Winter Greenery Class (Porch Pots)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Richard Bong State Natural Area
9 – 11 a.m.

Holiday Nature Crafts
Saturday, Dec. 7 And Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, Willow River State Park
10 a.m. – noon

Come and get festively crafty and make a holiday ornament or mural from natural items found in nature. Recreate one of our pieces on display or get inspired and make your very own creation.

Wear your ugly Christmas sweater, sip on some hot chocolate and listen to holiday tunes while you work. This is a great family activity to enjoy as we get ready for one of the happiest holidays of the year. We will supply everything you need to get crafty, but if you have a hot glue gun, please bring it along with you!

Meet at the Nature Center. Learn more and register.

**This event costs $5/person or $10/family (cash or card), and vehicle admission into the park is required.

Weekend Winter Painting Class
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Horicon Marsh Education Center
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Winter starts on Dec. 21! Let’s paint an 8 x 10″ snowman using cotton balls. Brrr...time to stay inside with friends and family to paint. We hope you can join us!

There is a limit of 24, and the class must have a minimum of six people. There is a $10 fee for each person painting. Register and pay.

Meet in the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center.

Wreath Making Class
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
10 – 11 a.m., noon - 1 p.m.

Learn to make a festive wreath using natural materials while enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. We will use a metal frame and weave the branches in so the frame can be easily cleaned off at the end of the season and reused in the future.

The class fee is $20 per person and includes the frame, a bow and all natural materials needed. Feel free to bring any embellishments you would like to add. Each session is limited to 10 people.

Hot chocolate and tea will be provided, but feel free to bring your own food and beverage.

Preregistration and payment are required either in person at the forest headquarters or by calling 262-594-6200.

The class will be held at the DJ Mackie picnic area located at S57 W35510 Cty Rd. ZZ, Dousman, WI.

Wreath Making
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Create fun and festive winter décor with forest staff and make a beautiful wreath using natural materials. 

Bring your friends and family, or go solo and enjoy a relaxed and fun atmosphere. All needed materials, including greenery and pinecones, will be provided. Let your creativity bloom while making your own unique wreath. Program space is limited.

Call to register or arrive early to ensure your place.

Please note that these wreaths are made of natural materials that will not last beyond the season and are best for outdoor displays. If you have them, please bring a bag and gloves to carry your finished wreath home since the pine branches can be sticky with sap.

Winter Greenery (Swags And Wreaths)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Richard Bong State Recreation Area
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Create beautiful door decorations with winter greenery collected from the park! There is a $25 class fee. All proceeds benefit the Bong Naturalist Association.

Meet at the Volunteer Shed (North of 142 - down Rhodes Road).

Please call 262-878-1712 or email Emily.Cole@wisconsin.gov to preregister.

Candlelight Hike
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area
3 – 6 p.m.

A candlelight hike around Beckman Lake. The trail surface is mostly grass and level with little slope. Trail conditions may vary with weather.

Hot cocoa and refreshments will be at the shelter area by the beach. A park admission sticker is required.

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