A new Wisconsin program launched this summer allows Wisconsin residents renewing their vehicle registration the option to also order an annual state parks admission pass at the same time for an additional $28.
In the program’s first 10 days, the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles reported that nearly 5,000 passes were sold. Indeed, the ease of purchase likely will encourage more Wisconsinites to visit state parks more frequently.
The state has 50 state parks, several of them within an hour’s drive of Madison — making them perfect for day trips (or longer, if you’d like).
Here are five to get you started:
Located in Baraboo, Devil’s Lake is the state’s most visited park (with 3 million visitors every year). Spanning more than 10,000 acres on ancestral Ho-Chunk land, the park offers more than 29 miles of hiking trails that rank from easy/moderate to difficult, a nature center, kayak and canoe rentals, and several beach and picnic areas. It also is home to ancient Native American effigy mounds, which are burial sites built between 700 and 1200 CE/AD and are considered sacred.
Governor Nelson State Park is so close to home that on clear days you can see the State Capital. It features a sand beach launch, a fish cleaning facility, picnic and playground areas, prairie restorations and more than eight miles of trails — one of which (Woodland Trail) offers views of Native American effigy mounds.
• Capital Springs State Recreation Area
This hidden gem is located just minutes from downtown Madison and is operated jointly by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Dane County Parks, as it shares space with William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park. Highlights include camping, hiking and skiing trails, plus picnic and fishing areas, a boat launch on Lake Waubesa and links to Dane County bike trails.
Situated atop the highest point in Southern Wisconsin, Blue Mound State Park boasts more than 20 miles of scenic biking, off-road biking and cross country ski trails, plus a family campground, access to the Military Ridge State Trail and a rustic cabin for individuals with disabilities. Bonus: A swimming pool and splash pad is open during the summer.
Located just west of Madison, Cross Plains State Park is part of the Glacial Passage Area, a partnership project of public lands jointly managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department and the nonprofit Ice Age Trail Alliance. Visitors can view glacial landforms, a meltwater-carved gorge, and expanses of driftless and glaciated terrain.
Venture a little further from the Madison area, and there’s Mirror Lake State Park near the Wisconsin Dells and Natural Bridge State Park near Sauk City.
Now that it’s easier than ever to access the Wisconsin State Park System, it’s time to hit the road and enjoy them.
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash