Get free fun details

On the first full weekend in June, the following outdoors activities are free for Wisconsin residents and visitors alike!

• Free entry to state parks and forests
• Free fishing
• Free DNR trails
• Free ATV/UTV riding on public trails open to such uses

Where to go

Striking out on your own and finding new places to go is half the fun. Explore outdoors!

• Fish Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes, 40,000 miles of rivers, two Great Lakes and 260 miles of the Mighty Mississippi.
• Enjoy DNR’s dozens  state trails
• Explore DNR’s 64 state parks, forests and recreation areas
• Ride hundreds of miles ofATV and UTV trails

Family-Friendly Trail Map

Try these flatter, shorter trails with lots to look at and experience, including tunnels and waterfalls at some.

Family-friendly fishing

It’s a lot easier to enjoy fishing if the kids are having fun.

• Places to take kids fishing
• Fishing clinics

Accessible options

Adaptive equipment, accessible cabins and lists of accessible boat launches and fishing piers are just a few of the ways we’re trying to open the outdoors to everyone.

• Open the Outdoors

Plan your Free Fun Weekend

Planning your adventure is as easy as 1-2-3 with our online tools.

1. Use Explore Outdoors to select the activities you want to do and where you want to go. Or find a park, forest, recreation area or trail and then explore your options for activities.
2. Decide if you want to sleep under the stars or wake up to modern conveniences.
   • If you want to stay over night at a state park or forest, reserve a campsite . Entry to state parks, forests and recreation areas is free but camping and other fees apply.
   • Visit www.travelwisconsin.com for other accomodations.
3. See what organized activities are available to help you enjoy the free weekend. Check back often as more will be listed as the free weekend approaches.
   • View our nature and events calendar for state parks and forests for that weekend and our fishing clinic schedule.
   • View Travelwisconsin.com to see what else is going on in the area. Options are good to have in the back pocket when traveling with families or a big group of friends.
4. Enjoy!

What’s in the 4-pack o’ fun

The first full weekend of June is the perfect weekend to try a new outdoors activity or return to one you haven’t tried in a long time. Challenge yourself and try them all!

Free Fishing Weekend

• Wisconsin residents and visitors can fish anywhere for free in Wisconsin. No license is needed — this includes inland trout and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing.
• New to fishing or just need to brush up on your casting? Attend one of the free fishing clinics being hosted around the state.
• Free fishing equipment for loan at more than 50 sites, DNR offices, and partner organizations.
• Fishing rules such as limits, size and species of fish that you can keep do apply during free fishing weekend.

State Parks Free Fun Weekend 

• All state park vehicle admission feeson all DNR-owned properties are waived.
• All state trail pass fees on all DNR-owned properties are waived.
• Cooperatively-run state trails also may waive fees on this day.

Free Trails Weekend

• All state trail pass fees on all DNR-owned properties are waived.
• Cooperatively-run state trails also may waive fees.

Ride free ATV/UTV weekend

• ATV/UTV owners can ride free; you do not need to have your machine registered in Wisconsin. Nonresident ATV/UTV owners do not need to have a trail pass on these days. Enjoy the free ride!
• All other rules apply — safety education certification is required for all UTV and ATV operators who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988.
• Find places to ride and events ontravelwisconsin.com.