DNR Parks And Recreation News

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

Start 2025 strong with a First Day Hike! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Welcome The New Year With A First Day Hike

Make your plans now to jump-start the Wisconsin State Parks System's 125th anniversary year! 

Mirror Lake State Park's First Day Hike marks the official kick-off event for the 125th anniversary celebration. The 125th anniversary program will start at 11 a.m., followed by a guided 1.5-mile First Day Hike on the Echo Rock and Cliffwood Coulee trails. The hike is suitable for people of all abilities and is great for everyone to participate in. Refreshments will be available, and there will be a bonfire. A vault toilet (non-flush) is available at the boat launch parking lot. 

There are 24 First Day Hikes happening on Jan. 1, 2025 at DNR properties across the state. Many properties offer 1 to 3-mile guided hikes led by property naturalists or rangers. These hikes have a specific start time and gathering spot to meet up with others. For further flexibility, other properties also offer routes for self-guided hikes without a set start time. Certain guided hikes are pet-free, so please check with the property before bringing along your leashed pets.

Warm clothing, hats, gloves, warm boots or insulated hiking shoes are highly recommended. Many properties will also have bonfires or warming shelters to help you fight off the cold, along with snacks and warm refreshments, such as hot chocolate.

First Day Hikes are free, but a vehicle admission pass or state trail pass may be required. Purchase your 12-month vehicle admission pass online to easily access parks, forests and recreation areas in the new year.

If a First Day Hike is unavailable in your area, you are still invited to visit a Wisconsin state park, forest, trail or recreation area and create your own First Day adventure.

Scheduled First Day Hikes

• Buckhorn State Park
• Copper Falls State Park
• Council Grounds State Park
• Devil's Lake State Park
• Governor Dodge State Park
• Harrington Beach State Park
• Havenwoods State Forest
• High Cliff State Park
• Interstate Park
• Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit
• Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
• Mackenzie Center
• Mirror Lake State Park
• Newport State Park
• Northern Highland American Legion State Forest
• Pattison State Park
• Peninsula State Park
• Red Cedar State Trail
• Rib Mountain State Park
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area
• Roche-A-Cri State Park
• Straight Lake State Park
• Sugar River State Trail
• Whitefish Dunes State Park

For details on First Day Hike events, visit the DNR’s Event Calendar. Note that events may be canceled in cases of inclement weather. 

This is the last OutWiGo newsletter for 2024. Thank you to everyone who has visited and supported the Wisconsin State Park System throughout the year. Make the most of this holiday season, and #OutWiGo to a property near you.

Outdoor News And Announcements

Candlelight Events Volunteering

Light up your life and have fun by getting outdoors and volunteering to help at a candlelight event. Friends Groups, made up of dedicated volunteers, help put on most candlelight events and need helping hands to set out the lanterns, tend a campfire, serve hot cocoa and more. It’s a family-friendly event for volunteering and enjoying the glow of the lit pathway and refreshments afterward. Contact a Friends Group to volunteer for this and other fun winter events.

Winter Solstice Celebration Hikes

Here are just a few of the many hiking events happening this winter solstice.

Additional Upcoming Events

Cabin Fever Series: Family Memories, Cards & More
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, Kohler-Andrae State Park
1 – 2:30 p.m.

Cabin Fever Series: "Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas: A Rangers Guide'
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, Kohler-Andrae State Park
11 a.m. – noon

Published just in time for the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Parks System, former park and forest ranger James Buchholz has released “Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas: A Ranger’s Guide."

Please join Jim, retired Kohler-Andrae superintendent, for a discussion of some of the 80 gems that make Wisconsin such a great place to be. His book includes practical information on hiking, biking and nature trails, human history and geologic features and wildlife viewing tips and trivia. Books will be available for sale and signing, with proceeds going to the Friends of Kohler-Andrae, who make so many park events and projects possible.

Meet at the Sanderling Nature Center auditorium, parking lot P3.

Winter Adventure Day
Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Enjoy a day full of winter fun at Havenwoods while school is out. Outdoor adventures, indoor crafts and fun activities to engage school-age children will be available all day. Explore and play while making new friends.

This program is for children accompanied by an adult.

Please dress for the weather and bring snacks to make the most of the day.

All day – Wildlife Bingo, winter crafts and outdoor adventures, with guided hikes at 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. (self-guided hikes are available all day)

Morning – Nature Tales: Enjoy a wintry story with forest staff

Afternoon – Animal Meet and Greet and campfire & s'mores: Meet some animals inside and make a s’more outdoors!

Winter at Lakeshore State Park: Hibernate, Migrate or Adapt
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, Lakeshore State Park
10 – 2 p.m.

Stop by our drop-in table, just inside Discovery World, to learn how different animals in Lakeshore State Park spend the winter. Touch animal hides and play a winter animal guessing game. No museum admission is required.

Snowshoe Tracking
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
10 a.m. – noon

Join us for a series of tracking adventures. Learn how to track in our forest. In dirt or snow, the creatures go. Warm clothing is recommended. Bringing your own snowshoes is encouraged. Limited snowshoes are available to use if plentiful snow is present. There is no fee; child sizing is included.

We will be on the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail.

Meet across Hwy. ZZ from Ottawa Lake Campground- S59W36630 Cty. Rd ZZ, Dousman.

This trail has moderate hills and covers 1.5 miles. 

A vehicle admission pass is needed. 

Soulful Strides: Men's Hike
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, Havenwoods State Forest
11 a.m. – noon

Nearby Nature Milwaukee invites you to explore the beauty of Havenwoods State Forest while strengthening bonds within our community. Join us for an inspiring walk designed to celebrate the Black community, wellness and friendship.

Meet in the Havenwoods Nature Center at 11 a.m. Dress for the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes. The hike will last approximately one hour.

Hibernators of Wisconsin Trivia Hike
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, Willow River State Park
1 – 3 p.m.

As winter approaches, some animals are getting ready for a long slumber, while others utilize their special adaptations in order to remain active and awake. 

Come test your knowledge of Wisconsin hibernators while playing a fun and educational trivia game along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail. You'll also collect a small participation prize.

This event is free, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Find more events at properties near you on the DNR’s Event Calendar.

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 subscribe for the newsletters, visit our sign-up page.