VISITOR ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR STATE PARKS, FORESTS, RECREATION AREAS & TRAILS Welcome to the Wisconsin State Park System! As Governor, I am proud to welcome you to enjoy one of Wisconsin's most cherished resources – our state parks. From the waterfalls of Pattison State Park to the beaches of Kohler- Andrae State Park to the vistas of Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin is blessed with a wealth of great WelcomeWelcome natural beauty. These are just a few of the images of Wisconsin's fantastic natural resources captured and preserved for over a century through the Wisconsin State Park System. We have balanced public access with resource conservation and created a state park system that today stands as one of the finest in the nation. We're proud of our state parks and trails, and the many possibilities they offer families who want to camp, hike, swim or simply relax in Wisconsin's great outdoors. For years, my wife, Tonette, and our family have taken advantage of the recreational opportunities available at our state parks and created lifelong memories. More than 14 million people visit one of our state park properties each year. With more than 100 locations statewide, a connection to the woods, waters and prairies of Wisconsin is always close at hand. I invite you to enjoy our great parks and join us in caring for the land. Use this guide as your starting place to create a memorable outdoors experience in our state. Sincerely, Scott Walker Governor Front cover photo: Amnicon Falls State Park, by RJ & Linda Miller. Inside spread photo: Devil’s Lake State Park, by RJ & Linda Miller. 3 Fees, Reservations & General Information Campers on first-come, first-served sites must Nature Programs Admission Stickers occupy the site the first night and any Many Wisconsin state parks have nature centers A vehicle admission sticker is required on consecutive nights for which they have with exhibits on the natural and cultural history all motor vehicles stopping in state park registered. of the region, audio/visual presentations and properties. At each property you can Firewood Rule guest speakers. Others offer guided nature purchase either an annual sticker, for hikes, self-guided nature trails, informal admission to all state parks, forests and Wisconsin has rules about transporting firewood campfire programs and special events. recreation areas for the calendar year; or a – for the latest details, make sure you consult The Wisconsin Explorer program, for children daily sticker, valid only on the date of issue. dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/. These rules are WISCONSIN STATE PARKS PHOTO ages 3-11, helps families explore the outdoors One-hour stickers are available at most intended to stop the spread of forest pests and together while enjoying nature activities, locations. diseases that are transported in firewood. Firewood from sources approved by the scavenger hunts, games, hikes and crafts. Wisconsin Vehicle Admission department of agriculture, trade and consumer Participants complete requirements and earn Sticker Rates* protection is allowable. Wood that does not collectible patches. Wisconsin registration plates – $25 meet these criteria may be confiscated and Nature Programs at Havenwoods State Forest. Visit wiparks.net for a listing of upcoming events annually, $7 daily, $5 one-hour; WI Senior destroyed. The person possessing such in Wisconsin State Parks. No Web access? Call For more information, contact Friends of Citizen (65 and older) with Wisconsin firewood may be subject to a citation. 715-365-8966 or write us for a free copy. Wisconsin State Parks, P.O. Box 2271, Madison, registration plates – $10 annually, $3 daily; State Trail Pass* WI 53701-2271. Hunting registration plates from other states – $35 annually, $10 daily, $5 one-hour. A trail pass is required for all individuals age 16 Hunting is allowed at many properties, or older who are biking, horseback riding, in- including some State Ice Age Trail Areas. For National and State Scenic Trails Visit wiparks.net for more information. line skating or cross-country skiing on certain more information, please refer to Wisconsin designated trails. (A trail pass is not required for and Scientific Reserve Units DNR hunting regulations or our website, Camping Reservations hiking or walking.) An annual trail pass costs The Ice Age Trail when completed, will wiparks.net. $20; a daily pass is $4. A dollar sign ($) next to traverse approximately 1,000 miles across Reservations are available for outdoor group, the trail mileage on the chart in this brochure Wisconsin, telling the geological story that Accessible to All family, and backpack campsites by calling our indicates trails that require the pass. shaped the landscape in our state. More than Many people with disabilities explore and enjoy toll-free reservation number 888-WI-PARKS 600 miles of the trail are open. For more Wisconsin state parks, forests, recreation areas (888-947-2757, 800-274-7275 TTY) or visiting Carry in – Carry out information, please call the Ice Age Trail and trails. Most picnic areas, park offices and our Web site wiparks.net. Campers may make In an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle, visitors Alliance at 800-227-0046 or visit toilet/shower buildings are accessible. site-specific reservations up to 11 months in to our picnic areas, shelters, beaches and other iceagetrail.org. Nearly all campgrounds have accessible advance. A non-refundable reservation fee of day-use areas are encouraged to pack reusable campsites. For people unable to use these sites, $10 or less will be charged in addition to The North Country Trail will traverse seven items and required to take garbage and we have fully accessible cabins at Buckhorn, camping fees. Please have your major credit states when completed, allowing a hiker to walk recyclables home. It’s good for us and it’s good High Cliff, Kohler-Andrae, Mirror Lake and card ready when you place your call. (Checks from New York to North Dakota. The Wisconsin for our earth. Potawatomi state parks, at Ottawa Lake in the accepted upon request.) portion will link many public lands to create 200 miles of hiking trail. Many portions are Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, and Non-reservable campsites are available at many Pets now open. For more information contact our Richard Bong State Recreation Area. There are parks on a first-come, first-served basis. For Pets are welcome in Wisconsin State Parks partner, the National Park Service, at 608-441- smaller rustic accessible cabins at Blue more information contact the park of your when on a leash and under control. For the 5610. Mound and Copper Falls state parks. Cabins are choice or visit wiparks.net. protection of wildlife and visitors, pets are not The Ice Age National Scientific Reserve is available May-October, by reservation only. allowed in picnic areas, buildings, on the beach a special component of the state and national For more information, ask at the park, Camping Fees* or on nature trails. Other restrictions may apply. park system. Each of nine separate units around see wiparks.net. Residents – $10-15/night; Nonresidents – Please check the park office for specifics. $12-17/night. Sites with electricity $5/night Wisconsin protects and interprets the For Your Safety extra. Vehicle admission stickers are also State Park System Friends Groups outstanding geological story in Wisconsin. Totaling more than 50,000 acres, the Ice Age Outdoor recreational opportunities and required. More than 70 friends groups provide volunteer Reserve includes Devil's Lake, Interstate and conditions vary greatly from park to park. help and raise funds for state parks, forests, Mill Bluff state parks, the Chippewa Moraine Information specific to each property is available Occupancy rule recreation areas and trails. A statewide Recreation Area and the Northern Unit of the in park offices and park publications, and Campers who do not check in and occupy their organization, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Kettle Moraine State Forest. Interpretive centers posted in public areas. Enjoy your visit to reserved site before 3 p.m. the day after the (fwsp.org) supports local friends groups and are at the Kettle Moraine, Devil’s Lake, Interstate Wisconsin State Parks – please be safe, be scheduled arrival date will forfeit the site. raises private funds for state park system and Chippewa Moraine locations. careful and act responsibly. enhancement and preservation. * All fees subject to change. 4 5 State Parks, Forests & Recreation Areas 1. Amnicon Falls State Park 5. Black River State Forest camping reservations, contact Dane County Parks 608/224-3730. 3101 Lake Farm Road, Enjoy waterfalls and cascades within a 3/4 mile Over 68,000 acres of pine and oak forest, two Madison 53711 walk along the Amnicon River. View the Douglas forks of the Black River and high sandstone Fault from the historic Horton Bridge. 4279 Cty abutments. Permit required for backpacking. Hwy U, South Range 54874 715/398-3000 910 Hwy 54 East, Black River Falls 54615-9276 12. Chippewa Moraine Ice Age SRA 715/284-4103 Situated along the Ice Age Trail, visitors enjoy 2. Aztalan State Park unspoiled beauty with kettle lakes and many glacial features. The interpretive center is open This important archaeological site and National 6. Blue Mound State Park all year and sits atop a hill that was once a Historic Landmark showcases the location of a Perched atop the highest point in southern glacial lake bottom. 13394 Cty Hwy M, New 12th century Native American village. 1213 S. Wisconsin, the park offers spectacular views Auburn 54757 715/967-2800 Main, Lake Mills 53551 920/648-8774 and unique geological features. A swimming pool equipped with a lift for people with disabilities is available. Singletrack mountain 13. Copper Culture State Park 3.