Free Fun Weekend

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National Safe Boating Council

Try it, you'll like it! That's the philosophy behind this yearly event, in which the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources waives fees required at state parks and trails so that anyone can take nature for a test drive. Kick the tires, metaphorically, as you boat, fish, bike, hike and picnic, all without having to buy a state park vehicle admission sticker (which is well worth the investment, as you'll find out after your free day in a park), trail pass, or even a fishing license. More info follows.

media release: Wisconsin is home to 49 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, roughly 15,000 lakes and so much more. For the first weekend every June, you can explore it all with state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes waived.

Here's what you can expect from Free Fun Weekend.

State Parks

• Admission stickers are not required at any of our 49 state parks or 15 state forests
• All state parks are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Drive-up windows, playgrounds, bathrooms and observation towers are open.
• Stand-alone concession facilities are open to the public at 50% capacity. Office buildings, visitor centers, enclosed shelters and nature centers remain closed until further notice.
• Adaptive rental equipment at state park properties is unavailable until further notice. Due to high demand during peak seasons, some properties may reach their pre-determined capacity limits. When this happens, properties will close until existing visitors leave, and capacity is reduced.
• Explore a new hidden gem park property

Fishing

• Residents and non-residents will not be required to have a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps
• All 2021-2022 fishing regulations [PDF] apply, including bag and length limits
• Locate launches and shore fishing access points near you
• Mark your calendars – Free Fishing Weekends are always held the third full weekend in January and the first full weekend in June. For 2021 and 2022, the dates will be June 5-6, 2021; January 15-16, 2022 and June 4-5, 2022

State Trails

• Trail passes are not required for both residents and non-residents
• All linear/rail trails are open to the public, including ATV trails
• Cyclists of any skill level can cover some miles with Wisconsin's touring bicycle trails – many along former railroad corridors
• Local ATV clubs make Wisconsin a destination for riding – ride Wisconsin ATV/UTV trails with scenic stop-offs [exit DNR]
• Horseback riders can enjoy more than 800 miles of trails in state parks, forests, recreation areas and unsurfaced trails – some highlights to check out include Wildcat Mountain, Richard Bong State Recreation Area or Governor Dodge State Park

Free Fun Weekend is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. Participants are encouraged to join the Wisconsin State Parks' OutWiGo initiative. Make sure to tag your Free Fun Weekend photos with #OutWiGo.

Planning on heading out? Visit the CDC’s website for a helpful guide on choosing safer activities.