DNR Parks And Recreation News

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

Want to enjoy fresh spring air without messy shoes? Check out this list of scenic but paved trails to try.

Spring Hikes Without The Mess

Temperatures are climbing, and you might be eager to get outside for springtime hiking adventures. But as Wisconsin thaws from a frosty winter, trails can be muddy.

If you want to enjoy fresh spring air without messy shoes, check out this list of scenic but paved trails to try.

These are universal trails, or trails that may be suited for visitors of all abilities, including those using mobility devices. However, not all trails are suitable for all users. Please see a property’s trail page for detailed descriptions or call the property for conditions and usability.  

STATE PARKS AND FORESTS

• Butterfly Pond Nature Trail | High Cliff State Park
  • This 1.1-mile interpretive trail features wetland, prairie and forest ecosystems and travels around Butterfly Pond. Heads up: Pets are not allowed on this trail.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest
  • Plantation Path in the Lapham Peak Unit near Delafield is a 1.8-mile interpretive trail that journeys through a prairie and wooded area.
  • Paradise Springs Nature Trail in the Southern Unit at Eagle is a half-mile trail that travels past a catch-and-release trout pond and to the Fieldstone spring house, former resort hotel, dam and former trout holding tank. Pets are not allowed on this trail.
• Lakeshore State Park
  • Lakeshore State Park in downtown Milwaukee has a 1-mile paved trail with views of the skyline, Lake Michigan and grass prairies. For a longer hike, continue on the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Oak Leaf Trail, both of which have paved portions.
• Echo Rock Trail | Mirror Lake State Park
  • Take in the beauty of Mirror Lake with this half-mile trail, which offers scenic views and a 150-foot bridge over the gorge.
• Tom Romberts Memorial Nature Trail | Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
  • This is a half-mile paved nature trail that passes through a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest with overlooks of Muskellunge Lake. Pets are not allowed on this trail.

STATE TRAILS

• Chippewa Valley Trails
  • The Chippewa River State Trail travels 30 miles through various habitats from downtown Eau Claire along the Chippewa River. The trail is paved for 18 miles, both from downtown Eau Claire to Caryville and between Durand and the Red Cedar State Trail junction in the Dunnville Wildlife Area.
  • The Old Abe State Trail is a paved 20-mile trail that connects Lake Wissota and Brunet Island state parks. It is on an abandoned railroad grade and travels through agricultural land and forestland while following the shoreline of the Chippewa River.
• Great Sauk State Trail
  • This trail parallels the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, passing through the Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area. Also a former rail corridor, the paved trail is 10.5 miles long and features beautiful river views.
• Glacial Drumlin State Trail
  • Along an abandoned rail corridor, the trail goes through farmlands and glacial topography and is paved for 13 miles from Waukesha to Dousman.
• Madison Area Trails
  • There are several paved state trails in the Madison area. The Badger State Trail is paved for 6 miles from its northernmost portion on Lovell Lane in Madison to Purcell Road in Fitchburg. The trail connects to many local parks and the Capital City and Sugar River state trails.
  • The Capital City State Trail has 17 miles of paved trail through Madison that links the Badger, Military Ridge and Glacial Drumlin state trails. The Military Ridge State Trail is paved for 2.5 miles between Fitchburg and Verona.

Learn more about these properties and more on our Find a Park page. 

Can't avoid the mud? Here are some tips to keep you and your furry companions clean(er) and safe, while preserving the trail itself:

• Hike and bike early. During freeze/thaw months, travel in periods of firm/frozen ground, typically in the early mornings. As the sun rises, these areas soften and liquefy. Check local trail conditions online for closures to activity type.
• Hike down the center of the trail. This keeps trails solid and maintains narrow trails. If there is unavoidable mud, hike directly through rather than to the sides.
• Clothing is meant to get dirty. Choose outfits that clean easily and you don't mind getting muddy. 
• Wear waterproof boots with high sides on short to medium length walks to avoid wet socks. On longer hikes or multi-day treks, breathable, quick drying shoes may be preferable. Breathable, quick-dry socks help with either option.
• Hiking or trekking poles offer stability, especially on descents and ascents in muddy conditions, as slipping hazards increase.
• Have a mud magnet dog? Grab a few old towels to wipe them down to save your car's upholstery.

_{*This content was originally published in the spring issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources. Check out the digital magazine online at wnrmag.com or subscribe to the print edition, just $8.97 a year for four quarterly issues. Call 1-800-678-9472 or check the website to sign up, renew or give a gift today.}

Canoecopia

Come visit our table at Canoecopia on Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9. It's a great time to buy your parks vehicle admission pass and trail pass and ask questions about the Wisconsin State Park System. Additionally, limited quantities of OutWiGo merchandise will be available for purchase with some free giveaway items. Don't miss out! 

Share Your Wedding And Special Occasion Photos From Wisconsin State Park System Properties We’re collecting photos of weddings, engagements and other special moments held in Wisconsin's state parks, forests and recreation areas to help us celebrate our State Park System's 125th anniversary in 2025. We'll review the submissions and select photos to publish in the summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Share your Wisconsin State Park wedding photos with us through this submittal form.

Run, walk or roll your 5K on a beautiful trail this spring.

Get Outdoors And Support Trees

There is still time to sign up for Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K! 

We encourage you to choose Wisconsin State Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas and Trails to run, walk or roll the distance. Proceeds support tree planting and forest protection in the state you represent. Registration is encouraged by April 1. This popular event has recently expanded to 13 states, thanks to Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee joining the effort. This flexible run event does not have any specific location and can be done on your own or with friends anywhere and anytime between April 19 and 27.

When registering, select to represent Wisconsin in this friendly competition as states rally together for the cause. Be sure to mention this to your out-of-state family and friends so they can sign up, too.

Register today and get ready to create happy moments on the trail. As a participant in this virtual event, you'll pick the pace and location any time between April 19 and 27, the week of Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Don't wait to sign up! Registration is $36 and includes your keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative bib number and shipping.

Find more information for representing Wisconsin on the race website. 

Upcoming Events

Drop-In: Spiders Oh My!
Saturday, March 8, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit – Henrey S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

International Women's Day Hike
Saturday, March 8, Devil's Lake State Park
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join us for a hiking challenge to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Join us for a 5-mile hike up and down the bluffs. The hike will start up the East Bluff, down the Balanced Rock Trail, around the south end of the lake and back up the West Bluff to bring us back to our starting point. This is a challenging hike with staircases, uneven ground and distance.

Please bring snacks, a lunch and plenty of water with you (most of the water sources in the park are not turned on at this time of the year). This hike is best for adults and teenagers. Route may change if trail conditions are slippery.

Meet at the North Shore Visitor Center.

Soulful Strides: Women's Hike
Saturday, March 8, 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 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. 

Mammal Trivia Hike
Saturday, March 8, Willow River State Park
1 – 3 p.m.

Hit the trail and enjoy a fun and educational hike where you’ll learn all about fur-bearing animals. We’ll have skulls and pelts for you to examine and feel while you play a hands-on trivia game along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail to test your knowledge of Wisconsin mammals.

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

Wings & Wilderness Hike
Sunday, March 9, Kinnickinnic State Park
9 – 11 a.m.

Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly birding hike. This short trek will lead us through some of the best local habitats for spotting winter birds.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours) and learn to identify a variety of feathered friends by sight and sound. Our guide will share tips on birdwatching and help you discover what makes our local species unique. 

Dress warmly, bring a water bottle and get ready to experience the wonders of winter birdlife.

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

Poetry Walk
Saturday, March 15, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit
10 – 11 a.m.

Join the naturalist on a leisurely stroll through the forest. The words of Aldo Leopold and other nature enthusiasts are sure to help shake off the frost of the winter months and put a spring in your step!

Meet at the Nature Trail Lot.

Cabin Fever Series: Beginner Birding
Saturday, March 15, Kohler-Andrae State Park
2 – 4 p.m.

Birdwatching is a fun and inexpensive hobby that can be done anywhere, anytime and by anyone. It's also about much more than naming birds. 

Birds come in many sizes and shapes, and their behavior can be fascinating. Kohler-Andrae is part of the Harrington Beach-Kohler Andrae Lakeshore Migration Corridor, and March is a great time to start learning about birds. 

Birding is a great way to connect with nature. Spending time in nature reduces stress and provides many health benefits. 

Adults and families will enjoy learning the basics from Janet and Andy Raddatz, Wisconsin Master Naturalists and co-leaders of our Discovery Bird Walks. This presentation is for adults and families with children aged eight and up.

Meet at the Sanderling Nature Center.

Spring Solstice Sunrise Hike
Thursday, March 20, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
6:30 – 8:15 a.m.

On this first day of spring, join us as we explore how nature welcomes this new season. We will be walking the 2-mile Tamarack Trail around Mauthe Lake. A valid Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission pass is required.

Meet at the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter (N1490 Cty Road GGG, Campbellsport).

Nature Storytime: Spring Things!
Friday, March 21, Interstate Park
10 – 11 a.m.

Now that spring has arrived, let’s see what’s growing and thawing! Make some button flowers to decorate your house.

Meet in the Ice Age Center classroom at 10 a.m.

Nature Storytime is led by volunteer Kathy Scharfenberg and includes a short story and fun activities. It is recommended for children ages 3-5. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress appropriately for the weather, as some activities might be outside.

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

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