UPCOMING EVENTS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Check with the park or forest of your choice for additional activities and special events not listed. Most events are free of charge; park admission sticker required unless otherwise noted. Events and times subject to change.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Wake Up, Groundhog! Groundhog Day has just passed! Learn if groundhogs can really predict the coming of spring and other tidbits about their lives. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Black River State Forest, Black River Falls, (715) 284-4103 - Candlelight Ski. The Black River Forest Trail Foundation will be holding their annual candlelight ski event. A 1.5-mile trail will be lit with candles. Food, refreshments, and a raffle will be available. Meet at the Smrekar warming shelter. 6-9 p.m.
Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - Candlelight Ski, Hike, and Snowshoe. One- and two-mile trails lit for skiing. Separate lit trail for hikers, snowshoers, and leashed pets. Guided interpretive hikes at 7 and 8 p.m. If insufficient snow, all trails will be lit for hikers. Friends of Blue Mound State Park will provide a bonfire, free hot drinks and marshmallows for roasting. Chili, vegetarian chili, brats, hotdogs, and baked goods available for purchase. Plans for the new warming house will be on display.
Brunet Island State Park, Cornell, (715) 239-6888 - Community Candlelight Ski and Sledding. Enjoy sledding down the beach hill or strap on the skis for a beautiful candlelight ski. The trail will also be groomed for hiking or snow shoeing alongside the cross-country trail. The fireplaces will be stoked and hot refreshments will be waiting to warm you! Cross-country skis are available for loan from Community Ed and snow shoes from the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Center will also be free to use. Sponsored by Brunet Island State Park, the Cornell Lions, and Cornell/Lake Holcombe Community Ed No vehicle admission sticker will be needed for this event. This event is weather permitting. Pavillion. 3-5 p.m. sledding, 5-7 p.m. ski, snowshoe.
Flambeau River State Forest, Winter, (715) 332-5271 - Annual Candlelight Ski. A 1.8 kilometer loop will be groomed, tracked and lit with over 600 candles. The trail is for skiers or hikers and winds through the heart of the forest. The trail is wide enough for diagonal striders and skate skiers. Picnic tables and a large barbecue grill will be available near the trailhead for persons who wish to cook their food. Large warming fires will also be built and maintained throughout the night. Starting at 5 p.m. for the event, all day-use fees at the trailhead will be waived. Meet at the Flambeau Hills trailhead, located on County Highway W, about 20 miles west of Phillips and 15 miles east of Winter. This event will take place regardless of snow conditions. If there is no snow, there will be a candlelight walk. 6-9 p.m.
Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 - Candlelight Ski/Hike. A candlelight ski/hike through the woods and around Quarry Lake. Refreshments served by the Friends of Harrington Beach State Park. Please, no pets. Trailhead at Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center. 6-9 p.m.
Havenwoods State Forest , Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Family Hike: Let's Go Snowshoeing. Join the staff for a morning of outdoor fun! We'll take a hike on snowshoes to enjoy the park in winter. Make sure to dress warmly; most of the time will be spent outside. If there is no snow, we will take a hike instead. All equipment will be provided. 10:30-11:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, (920) 989-1106; - Candlelight Ski/Hike. The Forest Management trail is torch-lit for skiers and hikers. Stop by the bonfire to warm up along the trail and visit the Friends of High Cliff concessions booth for some hot beverages and snacks. Forest Management Trail. 5-8 p.m.
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Candlelight Ski/Hike. Cross-country ski or hike by candlelight. At the bonfire join fellow hikers and skiers for hot drinks and snacks provided by the Friends of the Kettle Moraine. The trail, with no steep hills or sharp turns, is perfect for novice skiers. Zillmer Trail Area. 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Mirror Lake State Park, Lake Delton, (608) 254-2333 - Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe. There will be two 1-mile loop trails lit for the evening. Both trails are open to skiers and one of the trails will also be open to hiking and snowshoeing. Sponsored by the Friends of Mirror Lake State Park [exit DNR]. The Friends will have brats, hotdogs, goodies, hot chocolate and more available for sale. There will be two roaring bonfires to keep you toasty warm. The event is free but a Wisconsin State Park sticker is required on all vehicles. Meet at the beach/picnic area. 6-8 p.m.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Fish Creek Winter Games. Peninsula staff and friends will host a children's game at this annual town event. Clark Park, Fish Creek. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Candlelight Hike. Walk an easy 1-mile candlelit trail through the woods. Bonfire and refreshments at the warming shelter. Meet at Lot 5 on Highland Road. Buy your vehicle admission sticker at park headquarters before 5 p.m. 5:30-8 p.m. Note: Due to lack of snow, this will be a hike on the Yellow cross-country ski trail. Please call ahead to confim the event is still taking place before traveling any long distances to attend.
Perrot State Park, Trempealeau, (608) 534-6409 - Winter Fest Activities will vary according to the weather and snow conditions: Horse-drawn rides, Dogsled Demonstrations, Snowshoeing, Sledding, Winter tree ID, Crafts, Storytime, and Nature bingo. Sponsored by Friends of Perrot. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Cabin Fever Reliever. Join us for outdoor fun! If there's snow, bring your sled for tobogganing. We'll also have a fire, hot cocoa and play fun and active winter games. Bring your friends and family! Meet at Group Campsite A. 1-2:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 7, 2009
Peninsula State Park, (920) 868-3258 - Cross-country Ski Clinic. Cancelled due to lack of snow.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Newport State Park, Ellison Bay, (920) 854-2500 - Snowshoe Clinic. Join us at the Nature Center for an introduction to snowshoeing and a guided walk along the Upland Trail. Bring your own snowshoes. A limited number of snowshoes will be available free of charge. Sponsored by the Newport Wilderness Society and Bayshore Outdoor Store. Meet at the Nature Center in the Park Entrance Building. 10 a..m. - Noon.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Havenwoods State Forest , Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Turtle Time. Can you imagine carrying your house everywhere you go? Meet some turtles and watch them eat and move. This program is for preschoolers ages 3 - 5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult. It is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents. Then a short activity will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime generally lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - An Evening with Nature: Wind Energy - Wildlife Interactions ? What We Know and Don't Know. How many birds and bats does a modern wind turbine kill in a year? Noel Cutright of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology will answer this question and more, plus he will examine what goes into constructing a wind farm in Wisconsin. This program is most appropriate for adults and youth over the age of 10 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-high Naturalist. Bring your 3- to 5-year old to this fun and involving program. A new topic every month! Dress to be outside. Please call to pre-register. Program will go on regardless of weather but topic may change. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the visitor center and be prepared to drive. 10-11:30 a.m.
