Mark Your Calendars For Free Fun Weekend
Free Fun Weekend is the perfect time to get outdoors and find your adventure in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s 13th annual Free Fun Weekend is almost here! During this year’s Free Fun Weekend, happening June 7-8, 2025, state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all visitors.
With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 inland lakes, Wisconsin has something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, 2025 is the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System. Some Free Fun Weekend events may feature state park system history, special outreach items or 125th anniversary merchandise available for purchase.
Free Fun Weekend is also an opportunity to try fishing for food or fun before purchasing an annual fishing license. All 2025-2026 fishing regulations apply, including bag and length limits and species restrictions.
Need gear or help finding a place to fish? No problem! The DNR has tackle loaner sites across the state, and if you need to locate a place to fish, the Wisconsin Fishing Finder can help you do just that.
Free fishing clinics are held during Free Fun Weekend at state and municipal properties to instruct beginning anglers. Visit the DNR Events calendar and Wisconsin State Parks webpage for a list of events and more information on state properties.
Before you head outdoors to enjoy Free Fun Weekend, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
Invasive Species
June is Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin. Here are a few things you can do to make a difference while you’re out enjoying Free Fun Weekend and throughout the month.
- Clean all recreational equipment and gear after every use.
- Never move live fish away from any waterbody.
- Stay on designated trails, roads and other developed areas to avoid tracking invasives to new areas.
- Follow Wisconsin’s firewood rules to avoid moving harmful invasive pests and pathogens.
Safety
- Always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard.
- Use boat lights after sunset.
- Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during an ATV ride or while operating a boat.
- Wear a helmet and protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while riding an ATV.
- All children under the age of 18 must have a minimum Department of Transportation standard motorcycle or ATV helmet. Bicycle helmets are not legal.
- Keep your speed in mind as weather and terrain conditions vary or change.
Grab your family and friends and head outdoors for Free Fun Weekend! Consider taking the trail less traveled and visiting some lesser-known “hidden gem” state properties to discover something new.
If Free Fun Weekend has you hooked on enjoying Wisconsin’s outdoors, you can continue finding adventure by purchasing an annual fishing license, trail pass or 12-month vehicle admission sticker. With many license and admission options available, there’s a package to fit everyone’s recreation needs.
DNR Seeking Landowners To Host Fall Gun
Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities
Help make hunting accessible for all by signing up to host hunters with disabilities for the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities, which will take place Oct. 4-12, 2025.
To be part of the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities program, landowners must have at least 60 acres available, be able to host at least three hunters and complete an online application by July 1, 2025. The DNR asks interested landowners to fill in all the property information fields on the application.
This hunt is only possible through our landowner sponsors. Their willingness to partner with hunters and open their properties each year allows more individuals the opportunity to participate in Wisconsin’s deer hunting tradition.
The Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities began in 1992 and provides hunting opportunities for approximately 400 hunters each year. This hunt is only possible with the generous support of landowner sponsors.
Wisconsin’s outdoor experiences are for everyone. The DNR is committed to providing various hunting, fishing and recreational permits and unique opportunities designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to partake in Wisconsin’s time-honored traditions and enjoy the state’s abundant natural resources.
For more information, visit the DNR’s Deer Hunting For Hunters With Disabilities webpage.
Celebrate 100 Years At The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
Celebrate a century of conservation at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest on June 7. Events will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crystal Lake Day Use Area and pavilion.
The roots of Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest’s conservation efforts trace back to 1904 when Wisconsin appointed its first state forester, Edward Merriam Griffith. His work led to the creation of Wisconsin’s first state forest reserve, which eventually became the state forest.
The state forest was established in 1925, and currently spans 236,000 acres and is the state’s largest public property. Initially set up to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Manitowish and Flambeau rivers, the forest is now a hub for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and both nonmotorized and motorized activities. Drawing over three million visitors annually, it is a vital resource for recreation and sustainable forestry.
Visitors are invited to join in commemorating the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest’s rich legacy and ongoing commitment to preserving the state’s natural heritage with a day full of activities. See the full schedule of events online.
As the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest celebrates its centennial, it stands as a testament to the foresight of early conservationists and the enduring value of Wisconsin’s natural heritage. From its rich history rooted in forestry innovation and management to its vital role in conservation and community enrichment, the state forest continues to inspire and welcome visitors.
Learn more about the history, management and recreation opportunities at the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest online.
Event Details
What: Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Centennial Celebration
When: June 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Crystal Lake Day Use Area
3237 Crystal Lake Road
Boulder Junction, WI |
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