TRAVEL GUIDE

Wisconsin Travel and State Park Overview

Wisconsin is known as 'America's Dairyland' but that is only one of the many things that Wisconsin has to offer. In your Wisconsin travels, you will find that this state has a beautiful landscape that has yet to be truly discovered. There are ninety five state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas in this state, under the Wisconsin State Park System. It is reported that there are about 14 million visits a year. Why not go and discover the many things you can do in the many state parks in your next Wisconsin travels!

In our daily life, we are so busily consumed with the little things we need to accomplish before the end of the day that we hardly have a chance to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy the goodness of nature. What's more refreshing than to go on a trip to one of the many state parks in your Wisconsin travels? The Wisconsin State Park System has nearly a hundred and fifty thousand acres of land available for visitors to enjoy. Nature has provided the perfect background for whatever outdoor activities you would like to engage in the 47 state parks and 13 forests.

Things to do on land

There are 37 state trails totaling 1,607 miles with a variety of surfaces, suitable for summer and winter for an assortment of activities. For the leisurely times, you could walk, hike or horseback on these trails. For the more active ones, there is always bicycling, in-line skating and all-terrain vehicle riding. During the winter times, there are snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling for the more adventurous. In certain state parks, you can even go hunting if you have the proper permit.

There are designated trails for each activity. For the touring bike trails, they are free of motor vehicle traffic and most have limestone surfaces packed down for good riding. There are 2,730 miles of hiking trails available during the state of Wisconsin state parks, forests and wildlife areas. There are also two national scenic trails that winds through the state as well, make Wisconsin travels part of your national scenic tour! For those that want to simply enjoy the scenery, Wisconsin state parks have many shelter and picnic areas for your enjoyment. For large group picnics or other events, some of these areas can be reserved.

If a day trip is not enough for you, why not stay overnight in a campsite and experience nature in a different light (or lack of). There are more than 4,600 campsites in all over the state parks and forests. A typical campsite is in a natural setting with road access and would include a fire ring and a picnic table that could be used by vehicle or tent campers. There are also sites for backpackers, walk-in or canoe-in campers. Some sites are accessible for the disabled, people with horses or to accommodate large groups of campers. However, reservations are required for campsites.

Water fun

Whether it is swimming or relaxing on the beach, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or sailing, there are many wet outdoor activities you can do in the Wisconsin state park and forest. It is estimated that over 1 million boats glide over Wisconsin waters each year. With more than 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers and 659 miles of Great Lake shoreline, water activity possibilities are endless!

There are plenty of outdoor activities you can enjoy and you do not even have to travel too far in your Wisconsin travels before you reach one of the many state parks and forests. Nothing refreshes the body and eases the mind like a breath of fresh air. Outdoor activities are often inexpensive and fun while exercising the body, so why not travel to one of the Wisconsin state parks and get reacquainted with nature!