National Trails Day

media release: Your hosts, the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park (Friends) and the Four Lakes Group of the Sierra Club (4 Lakes Group), will welcome you, your family and friends to a fun day at the park with something for all ages to enjoy.

It's a day to recognize the wonderful trails that are in our region and outdoor access for all. On Saturday June 3, state park entry fees are waived. So it’s a great day to get out to one of our local gems.

Here’s some of the activities that you can participate in:

Friends Shelter - Lower parking lot near the pool and trail heads

• 7:30 AM - Trail run hosted by the Friends. There will be 2 runs, a 10K and a 18K run starting at 8:30 and 8:40 AM. Bib pick up in the morning starting at 7:30. This run is limited to 345 participants and pre registration is required. To learn more or to register, use this link: https://www.wisconsintrailruns.com/. There will be drawings for giveaways and awards.
• Noon - Access Ability WI all terrain wheel chairs (3) will be available for use. There will be time slots to sign up to use the chairs. There will be an orientation before use and a debrief after use. To reserve your spot to use one of these all terrain chairs, use this link: (coming soon!) For more information about the chairs, see below.
• 1 PM - Longer hike exploring the park will leave from the Friends Shelter. The hike will be about 90 min of intermediate difficulty. Pre Registration requested. To learn more or to register, use this link: (link coming soon)
• Learn about the free pass to the National Parks through the Every Kid Outdoors program for 4th graders and their families.
• Learn how you can be a friend and steward to Blue Mounds State Park
• Learn how you can support the Access Ability Wisconsin achieve their goal of an Outdoors 4 All!

Top of the Mound - Upper Shelter

• 10 AM - Camping demo including tents that can be explored as well as set up, different types of stoves and first aid kits as well as practical information on where to find camping gear
• 11 AM - Introductory yoga class will be held near the shelter. Bring a mat or your sleeping pad and some water.
• 11:30 AM - Family nature hike. Hike will be about 30 min and will include a nature treasure hunt. Pre Registration requested. To learn more or to register use this link: (link coming soon)
• Bring your own kite to fly on the top of the mound
• Pick up a family nature scavenger hunt and take a walk
• Learn about the free pass to the National Parks through the Every Kid Outdoors program for 4th graders and their families.
• Learn how you can be a friend and steward to Blue Mounds State Park
• Learn how you can support the Access Ability Wisconsin achieve their goal of an Outdoors 4 All!

Other Activities

• Bike the park trails or Military Ridge Trail (access to the park trails will be limited until the trail run finishes around 11:30 AM)
• Swim in the Blue Mounds State Park pool (entry fee)

Watch here for registration links: https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/four-lakes/blog/2023/04/national-trails-day-june-3rd-2023

To Volunteer:

We need volunteers to:  

- Help with a camping demo including tents and cook sets  

- Pass out information on where to find lightly used or less expensive recreation gear  

- Let visitors know about the National Park Every Kid Outdoors pass  

- Support the Friends morning trail run

and more...

For more information, contact: Liz Wessel, lizard59sc@yahoo.com, 608-238-9934