DNR Parks And Recreation News

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

Celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System by visiting hidden gems, like Pewits Nest State Natural Area. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

New Year, New Places To Explore

Make 2025 a year of exploration and celebration with the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System. Start the year strong by visiting these hidden gem outdoor recreation destinations. Before you head out, make sure to buy your vehicle admission pass. A Wisconsin state park and forest vehicle admission pass can be purchased online and is now valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. 

The new year is often thought of as a time for change and renewal. This rings true for our state park system, too. Some locations may have changed in recent years. For example, please note that the following hidden gem locations now require a Wisconsin state park and forest vehicle admission pass.

• Governor Knowles State Forest - Brandt Pines Recreational Trail System Parking Lot and Sioux Portage Group Campground 
  • Brandt Pines Recreational Trail System: If you only have a few hours to hike, we recommend you go to the Brandt Pines Trail System (26001 Gile Road). The trail system includes the Oak Hills Trail, River View Trail, Ravine Trail, Ridge Line Trail and the Cut Across Trail.
  • Sioux Portage Group Campground: Located at the north end of the forest, this facility can accommodate up to 60 campers. Users can access the facility by vehicle or canoe from the St. Croix River. Spend the day hiking or biking the surrounding trail system.

• Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area
  • The Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area encompasses over 5 miles of the Wisconsin River corridor with a spectacular gorge, cliffs, tributary canyons and rock formations carved into Cambrian sandstone. Formed between 510-520 million years ago, some cliffs rise over 100 feet above the water and have been shaped by the erosive processes of water and wind. While set aside to protect rare plants and animals, the Dells also have an important cultural history that spans several thousand years. Various Native Americans, ranging from early Paleo-Indian people to the more recent Ho-Chunk, Sac and Menominee, were attracted to the scenic waterway and left behind archeological evidence such as effigy and burial mounds, camps and village sites, garden beds and rock art.
• Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area
  • Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area was once designated as an army ammunition plant that operated during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It was the largest munitions factory in the world during World War II. The plant was declared excess to the Army's needs and has since been transferred to the state and other owners for recreation, conservation and research. Visitors may hunt, trap, hike, bird watch, pick mushrooms and berries, study nature, take photographs and do other traditional outdoor activities. You may also drive, bike or ride horses on the roads within the complex that are open.
• Lower Wisconsin State Riverway - Mazomanie Day Use Area and Blackhawk Ridge Day Use Area
  • The Wisconsin River flows unimpeded by any man-made structures for 92.3 miles from the dam at Prairie du Sac downstream to its mouth at the Mississippi River. Approximately 95,000 acres of land on both sides of the river have been designated as the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. You can fish or hunt, canoe or boat, hike, ride horseback or just enjoy the river scenery on a drive down country roads. The riverway abounds in birds and wildlife, and the history of Wisconsin is written in the bluffs and marshes of the area. The Mazomanie Day Use Area and the Blackhawk Ridge Day Use Area both require a vehicle admission pass.
• Rock Island State Park - Jackson Harbor Parking Lot
  • Two ferry rides are needed to reach Rock Island State Park. The first is the Washington Island Ferry to Washington Island. The ferry carries people, vehicles, bicycles and freight. From the Washington Island Ferry landing, travel across the island to the northeast side to the Rock Island Ferry landing at Jackson Harbor. Leave your vehicle or bike at the Jackson Harbor Parking Lot and take the passenger-only Rock Island Ferry to Rock Island.
  • Drinking water is available at Jackson Harbor, and there is a small camp store with an ATM, basic camping supplies, ice and some food items. There are also public restrooms. Kayak and stand up paddle board rentals and guided tours are available.
• Pewits Nest State Natural Area
  • The dominant feature at Pewits Nest State Natural Area is a 30 to 40-foot-deep gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier. Associated with it are Skillet Creek, shaded cliffs and a northern dry-mesic pine forest. When Glacial Lake Baraboo drained, Skillet Creek cut a narrow canyon through the Cambrian sandstone, forming a series of potholes and low waterfalls.

Outdoor News And Announcements

Run For The Trees: 2025 Happy Little 5K

Take your run to a state park, forest or recreation area near you. Register by April 1, 2025 to ensure your Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib number and finishers medal arrive on time. Your run must be completed be completed between April 19 and April 27, which encompasses Earth Day and Arbor Day. 

Find more information and register online.

Choose your route on our Find a Park webpage. A vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas.

Upcoming Events

Walk It Off With Winter Wildlife
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, Horicon Marsh Education Center
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Snowshoe Tracking
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, 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 – limited snowshoes are available to use if plentiful snow is present. There is no fee, and child sizing is included. Bringing your own snowshoes is encouraged.

This is an easy, paved 0.5-mile trail. The trail is stroller/wheelchair friendly when snow-free but is very bumpy when snow-covered.

We will be on the Paradise Springs Nature Trail. Meet at W374 S8640 County Rd. N, Eagle, WI 53119.

A vehicle admission pass is required.

Learn to Cross Country Ski
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, MacKenzie Center
1 – 3 p.m.

Join us for a winter wonders ski on our Nature Trail! We will discover and learn about skiing in the wonderful snow-covered prairie and forest. Please dress for the weather and meet naturalists at the MacKenzie Lodge at 1 p.m.

If there is no snow, we will be changing this to a guided winter tree ID hike at the same time and place.

Silent Hike
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, Havenwoods State Forest
1 – 2:30 p.m.

Fighting the winter blues, overstimulated or wanting a pause from the noise? Or do you desire to be around others while in your own world, focus on your senses and the world around you or hike in a different way?

Take a hike without talking. 

Before heading out, we will meet inside the Nature Center, where water and bathrooms are available. Please silence/vibrate phones and other devices. Dress for the weather for up to a 1.5-mile hike.

Owl Prowl
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, Richard Bong State Recreation Area
3 – 6 p.m.

Learn all about owls from our natural resources educator and then meet a few owls and birds of prey in person. A question-and-answer session will be held with their caregiver, a local falconer, Ed Foster. Afterward, head outside and search for owls on the property.

Soulful Strides: Men's Hike
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, 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.

Wolf Moon Hike
Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, MacKenzie Center
5:30 – 7 p.m.

Come experience the natural world under the glow of the first full moon of the year, called the “Wolf Moon.” We will hike through our restored prairies, practice our observation skills and warm up by the campfire. Bring your own hot beverages and dress for the weather. 

Please park in the Badger Den Parking Lot and meet a naturalist there promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Find more events at properties near you on the DNR Events calendar.

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