DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin’s State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
Race To Support State Parks, Forests And Trails
Have extraordinary fun with “friends” this year by registering for a fun run/walk/roll event at a DNR property.
Friends Groups support their local state park, forest or trail, and proceeds from these events support enhancement projects for everyone to enjoy, such as new fire rings, picnic tables, shelters, adaptive recreation equipment, nature programs, playgrounds and much more. Here are some Friends Group races happening this summer and fall.
Outdoor News And Announcements
Bring your family to participate in the Family Fun Bike Ride, which includes riding through the famous Elroy-Sparta tunnels. / Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Family Fun Bike Ride – Ride Across Wisconsin
Join the Family Fun Bike Ride on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce (111 Milwaukee St., Sparta, WI). Experience 13 beautiful miles to Norwalk and then shuttle back to Sparta, or challenge yourself to a 26-mile round-trip ride. Ride through iconic Elroy-Sparta tunnels, which stay cool even on warm summer days!
- Check in at 9 a.m.
- Leave at 9:30 a.m.
Register online for the Family Fun Bike Ride by Aug. 16 or in person on the day of the ride. Registration for individuals ages 12+ is $20, while ages 11 and under are free. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and helmets are required for all riders. Everyone will receive a gift for finishing!
As a reminder, the following trails may be busier than usual at these times due to Ride Across Wisconsin:
- Elroy-Sparta State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 400 State Trail – Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail (Lake Mills to Waukesha) – Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hank Aaron State Trail – Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, from noon to 8 p.m.
Property Highlight: Yellowstone State Park
Visit Yellowstone Lake State Park this summer to see bats and go fishing. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Go batty for Yellowstone Lake State Park! This property in southwestern Wisconsin is home to thousands of little brown bats during the summer. The bats roost in bat houses throughout the park, including along the shores of the park’s namesake Yellowstone Lake.
Campers gather under the bat houses during summer evenings to watch the bats take to the sky. Since each bat can catch up to 600 mosquitoes an hour, their impact on the park’s mosquito population is much appreciated.
Yellowstone Lake State Park offers many popular water-based recreation opportunities. The 455-acre Yellowstone Lake is shared by boats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats and other personal watercraft. Two boat launching ramps and one paddle craft launch provide lake access from multiple points along the shoreline. The paddle craft launch is currently closed for use while a new universal launch is installed.
Yellowstone Lake has an abundant population of crappies, walleye and other gamefish, making fishing a popular summer activity at the park. Anglers of any age can check out basic fishing equipment free of charge at the park office, thanks to the DNR’s Tackle Loaner program.
There are nine designated picnic areas. The picnic shelter is at the west end of the lake and is available for rental. These day use and picnic areas do not have garbage or recycling bins, so please remember to practice carry in and carry out.
Pets are not allowed in the picnic, beach or playground areas. There are designated pet areas west of the beach. Please remember that pets must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet.
Visit our webpage to start planning your trip to Yellowstone Lake State Park.
Upcoming Events
Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday Party
Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
5 – 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening of celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday! Hear Smokey’s story, learn about fire safety, participate in fun family activities and enjoy birthday cake by the campfire!
Vehicle admission is required.
The event will take place at the picnic shelter at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area (N1490 County Rd. G, Campbellsport, WI 53010).
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at Merrick State Park
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Kids are invited to join us for an interactive experience to learn about the Coulee Region Humane Society and what they do there.
Listen to some of their wildest animal stories, learn about the shelter’s important role in the community and get to know a friendly pet therapy dog to learn how to be safe around animals.
Forest Foods
Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024 at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
10 a.m. – noon
Fruits, tubers, herbs and seeds: Do you know what plants are edible or medicinal? Join us for a series of hikes to find yummy and useful things that grow around our forest!
Please meet at Ice Age Trail at Forest Headquarters (S91 W39091 State Hwy. 59 Eagle, WI, 53119) for this 1-mile hike with moderate hills.
River Dipping
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Wyalusing State Park
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Let’s explore the hidden life of the Mississippi River! We’ll use nets to scoop up some macroinvertebrates (aka wacky water critters), and then we’ll look at them up close with magnifying glasses and identify them. This will be lots of fun for kids and adults. Water shoes or sandals are recommended.
Meet at the boat landing.
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