Effective, May 1, 2020, nearly all Wisconsin State Parks properties will be open. Annual admission passes and/or trail passes are required. New hours for all properties will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All properties will close weekly on Wednesday.
REMINDER: The DNR has issued a statewide multi-day air quality advisory due to another round of smoke from Canadian wildfires. The current advisory is in effect through noon on Thursday, 6/29. (1/5)
Hi Cheeseheads! WI state parks and trails are open for you to
#OutWiGo
-- enjoy some fresh air. We encourage you to stay close to home and within your community.
Social distance is key to slowing
#COVID19
. Stay at least 6ft away from others – but don't forget about the air fives!
Due to unprecedented crowds, littering and vandalism, the following Wisconsin State Parks in the Northeast Region are now closed effective Friday, April 10 for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency:
A DNR conservation biologist has found the “holy grail” of a rare plant in Wisconsin: A green violet long thought gone from the state, but growing by the hundreds in a State Natural Area in west central Wisconsin.
The species was last documented in Wisconsin in 1958.
Yes, you can still fish under
@GovEvers
Safer at Home order. Just stay close to home to slow the spread of
#COVID19
.
Don’t forget to practice
#WalleyeDistancing
, staying at least the distance of three 24” walleyes away from others whether you’re out and about.
BREAKING NEWS: Large wildfire reported in Juneau Co. near the community of Necedah. DNR on-scene, approx. 100 acres burned, structures lost. Stay-tuned for more updates!
Six-year-old Lexi sat many hours yesterday without success but today her persistence paid off. Her father, Tyler Harris, had tears of joy when his little hunting partner got her first buck & poses for Warden Randy Dunkel. Congratulations, Lexi!
A Smokey Bear sighting in Oneida County! This popular symbol of fire prevention has finally awakened from hibernation, just in time for ‘Wildfire Prevention Week.’ Don’t worry: Smokey is friendly and loves to give bear hugs. Prevent wildfires!
You can now buy an annual state park pass online at
Stickers available for purchase online include:
• Annual Wisconsin Resident: $28
• Wisconsin Resident Senior (65+): $13
• Non-Resident: $38
For now, only park passes can be purchased online.
Hello, world of Twitter.
We're still here. That said, we know many people are discovering other social media journeys for themselves these days.
If you're choosing to leave the bird app, we would like you to know where you can find official Wisconsin DNR information.
A rare carnivorous plant seen for the first time in 40 years along with 59 never-before-seen populations of other rare plants in Wisconsin are among discoveries made by volunteers of the DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program last year.
Read more:
Wisconsin DNR fire crews and local agencies are on the scene of a roughly 70-acre and growing Pallet Fire in Waushara County, southeast of Coloma.
Additional details at
@katierosenberg
Our parks staff love to make friends -- they went rogue when no one got the hint 🙃
(But really, we're curious where this was... mind sharing?)
We're hearing some pesky rumors. Let's do some COVID-19 myth-busting.
✔️ Wisconsin state parks and trails are open to the public. Buildings are closed, though, with the exception of some restrooms.
✔️ Admission to state parks and trails is voluntary at this time.
The 2021 Wisconsin State Park admission sticker will for the first time feature a winter image, designed by Emma Dzurbanova, a junior foreign exchange student from the Czech Republic at Rice Lake High School.
Read more:
REMINDER: State parks are now closed to the public every Wednesday for maintenance and upkeep. Northern Forests, Flowages, Lower Wisconsin Riverway, and Wild Rivers remain open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
More info at
Opening day of gun deer season is finally here! 🦌Thank you for supporting Wisconsin's wildlife and habitat through the purchase of a hunting license - we couldn’t do what we do without you.
Good luck out there, and be safe!
Another round of wildfire smoke from western Canada will be impacting air quality across Wisconsin for the next several days, and a statewide air quality advisory will be in effect from Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 a.m. through Monday, Aug. 21 at 6 a.m. (1/5)
In light of COVID-19, the DNR is closely following guidelines from
@DHSWI
,
@CDCgov
and
@WHO
.
All state parks, forests and trails will remain open for public use with voluntary entrance fees.
An air quality advisory has been issued statewide until noon on 6/29 due to smoke originating from Canadian wildfires. We expect this situation to remain highly dynamic over the coming days. (1/3)
While some areas have seen scattered showers, fire danger currently remains VERY HIGH across the entire state of Wisconsin.
At this time, we are asking everyone to continue to avoid outdoor burning of any kind, including campfires.
Red-winged blackbirds are back in SE Wisconsin, a sure sign spring is on its way. Get today’s statewide report & sign up for more so you don’t miss out on the parade of returning birds!
🌧️🌧️🌧️ 🍂
Here's a video from Warden David Sanda of the powerful flow at Little Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park after 4-plus inches of rain fell September 30th in less than 12 hours.
Checking out fall colors? It's worth a weekend trip to Douglas County!
The WI DNR today announced that following a U.S. District court’s ruling on 2/10 returning wolves in the lower 48 states to the Federal Endangered Species List, WI is not authorized to implement a wolf harvest season.
Details at
Photos of a large cat recorded by landowners near Menomonee Falls Feb. 23 have been verified by WDNR biologists as a cougar. This is likely the same cougar confirmed near Brookfield earlier this month. Residents are encouraged not to approach it and keep pets inside.
The
@WDNR
is pleased to announce a new member of the Conservation Warden Service! DNR Conservation Warden Audrey Royce has added a partner to her team in north-central Wisconsin – her K9 partner, Nyssa.
Learn more:
Over 100 acres burned in over 35 wildfires today in Wisconsin.
Sunday's forecast calls for continued critical fire weather. Fire danger is expected to remain high to very high across the state.
Stay updated on the rapidly changing conditions at
Wisconsin's deer hunt has come a long way from the days of registering your harvest at a gas station like these hunters were doing back in Woodruff in 1967.
Ahead of the gun deer season, Nov. 18-26, look back at the tradition that's rooted in Wisconsin:
An Air Quality Advisory has been issued for all of Wisconsin due to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). This is related to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
This advisory is in effect through 12 a.m. Wednesday, July 21.
More info at
With water temps rising, the Winnebago System lake sturgeon are getting ready to start spawning on the Wolf River.
Once they start, daily updates will be posted here:
Photo Credit: Bob Rashid
The Wisconsin DNR is seeking volunteers to help collect information about the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly and its habitat to help advance recovery efforts.
Volunteer training is an important part of efforts to protect and restore Karners and their habitat.
UPDATE: 7/10/2023 AT 9:35 P.M.
The fire is now 99% contained.
Previous reports stated the fire was a larger size, however, after aerial review, more accurate mapping indicated the fire is roughly 400 acres.
Staying home as much as possible is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates. But if you need a place with space, getting outdoors has both physical and mental benefits.
Here’s the latest update for our state parks and trails beginning March 24, 2020:
Snowy safety snuggle: Warden Ben Mott got a call today from a citizen concerned about a snowy owl sitting off road near Plainfield in Waushara County. Warden Ben rescued the bird, now headed to Raptor Education Group, Inc. Antigo. Partnerships with public & REGI in action!
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire crews and local agencies are on the scene of a roughly 2,800-acre wildfire in Jackson County, which is 48% contained.
This female sturgeon is 76 years old. Can you imagine what this beautiful lady has lived through?
Lake sturgeon grow and live longer than any other fish in Wisconsin. Learn more:
This morning, Secretary-Nominee Cole read to students at Summit Environmental School in LaCrosse along with Rep. Jill Billings as part of a Read Across America Day event. The annual event coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss and encourages kids to become lifelong readers.
In accordance with public health guidelines and safety recommendations, the DNR is modifying current operations.
Starting May 23, all Wisconsin state park properties will return to regular hours of 6am - 11pm. seven days a week. Properties will no longer be closed Wednesdays.
Brookfield East High School senior Brooke Salomone is the winner of the 2023 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest.
Learn more:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston D. Cole has appointed Heather Berklund as the Department’s new Chief State Forester. She is the first woman in Wisconsin's history to hold the position.
Learn more:
Sturgeon are starting to spawn on the Wolf River! Check the sturgeon spawning webpage for daily updates and the best locations to view them from shore:
Photo Credit: Bob Rashid
☀️ Entrance fees at all Wisconsin State Parks and Trails are WAIVED.
☀️ Restrooms on state properties will remain open given there are enough resources, cleaning supplies and access to personal protective equipment for staff to maintain them.
Nature is a master of disguise! DNR Conservation Warden Ben Mott was on patrol today when he spotted two members of an endangered species feeding in an Adams County field. See them? Back at top of the hour with the answer in a closeup.
Yesterday while on patrol, Warden John Schreiber saw this dog nearly hit on the highway in Berlin (Green Lake County). Dog fan that he is, Warden John stopped, opened the door & the dog jumped in, ready to co-pilot. Warden John found the owner in a nearby neighborhood.
An Eau Claire man who has photographed and reported an astonishing 14,000 dragonflies and damselflies is among several recipients of the 2020 Wisconsin Citizen-based Monitoring Awards.
Learn more at
April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, founded by former Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson.
Today Earth Day is celebrated around the world.
#EarthDay2020
#EarthDay365
You may encounter a fawn while finding your adventure this Memorial Day weekend. If you find one lying in brush, high grass or even your lawn, the fawn is likely safe and healthy. If you are concerned, monitor from a distance and call the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
Sensitive groups, which include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, those who are pregnant, and those who work outdoors – should consider moving all events inside.
Learn more here: (5/5)
Snapshot Wisconsin, one of our largest citizen science projects, opened its new data visualization tool to the public. Interact with data collected from approximately 2,000 cameras spread across the state to monitor wildlife.
More at
Perk of being a DNR conservation warden? Catching Wisconsin's natural wonders as they emerge.
Warden Chris Kratcha was on patrol in Door County when his route passed this truly spectacular sunset at Mud Lake State Natural Area in Door County.
Did you know...it takes an average of more than 50 hours to catch a musky! They're known to put up a fight: cracking rods, stripping reels, bending hooks and doing whatever else they can to escape.
SUNRISE ON STURGEON SEASON: Wardens Chris Shea & Ben Mott share these eye-openers as Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing Season starts today, February 9. Wardens report many spearers are out in the balmy -9 air. Good luck & stay safe out there! Learn more:
In honor of gun deer season (Nov. 21-29), Cheese Guy and Cheese Curd are sporting some blaze orange on their outdoor adventures.
If you’re planning to explore the woods this week, consider opting for bright colored clothing as an added precaution for yourself and your pets.
Snowy owls are here! Check out this one from Warden Hartrick at the Oconto Marsh Wildlife Area.
Have you seen any snowies in your neck of the woods? Let's see them!
When you take a breath outside in Wisconsin, you are breathing the cleanest air the state has seen in 50 years. Not only is May Clean Air Month, this year is the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act.
Read more --
The extravaganza of colors in Wisconsin’s forests is one show that is undeterred by the pandemic. The annual display is beginning now.
Learn more and catch the fall color forecast at
This week's birding report is out! Warblers made a welcome resurgence and sparrows are surging as warm weather migratory birds give way to cold weather migrants.
The water is warming up, and it’s time to catch those panfish. Make sure you know the type of fish on your line!
Bag limits may vary by waterbody, so double-check the fishing regulations before you go:
Our goal is to maintain the safest environment for visitors and staff.
If you’re looking take a break in the outdoors, public health officials are advising you to get outdoors in your local neighborhoods and maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more.
Wisconsinites are lifting each other up and providing support across the state to one another in unique ways. How are you helping? Tell us about it using
#HowWiHelp
In conjunction with the National Weather Service, we have issued a Red Flag Warning for today, Sunday, Sept. 3 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the following counties in in southwestern and central Wisconsin… (1/11)
In 2018, Wisconsin recycled over 750 million tons of cardboard, paper, aluminum, steel, glass and plastic containers, saving valuable space in landfills and providing supplies to manufacturers.
Learn more about recycling in Wisconsin:
More trees= less crime. There is a strong relationship btwn higher levels of tree canopy and lower levels of crime, regardless of socioeconomic factors. Learn more: .
#HealthyTreesHealthyLives