Find the next outdoor adventure at a state park near you

The public is invited to head outdoors, for the 13th annual Free Fun Weekend, happening June 7-8. State park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes, are waived for all visitors.

With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, and roughly 15,000 inland lakes, Wisconsin has something for everyone to enjoy.

“Free Fun Weekend is a great opportunity to join us, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Bureau director of Parks and Recreation Management. “Whether it’s your 100th visit or your first visit, you are invited to explore the more than 120 properties across the state. If you like to hike, bike, camp, paddle or even just enjoy a good book in a beautiful place, we hope you will join us for Free Fun Weekend.”

The weekend is also an opportunity to try fishing for food or fun, before purchasing an annual fishing license.

“This is a great chance to try fishing or catch a meal,” said Justine Hasz, DNR Bureau Director of Fisheries Management. “Even if you don’t have fishing gear, you can still get involved. The DNR has tackle loaner sites across the state, and if you need to locate a place to fish, the Wisconsin Fishing Finder can help you do just that.”

Free fishing clinics are held during Free Fun Weekend, at state and municipal properties, to instruct beginning anglers.

Before heading to a state park, trail or waterbody nearby, there are a few helpful things to know:

• All linear/rail trails, including ATV and horseback riding trails, will be open to the public.

• ATVs, UTVs and OHMs are exempt from registration requirements. Resident and non-resident all-terrain vehicle operators do not need a trail pass to ride state ATV trails.

• Residents and non-residents will not be required to have a fishing license, or trout/salmon stamps.

• All 2025-26 fishing regulations apply, including bag and length limits, and species restrictions.

• This is the perfect time of year, for small and largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike to be active.

• Locate launches and shore fishing access points nearby.

It’s also Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin, so the following can help prevent the spread of invasive specieis:

• Clean all recreational equipment and gear after every use.

• Never move live fish away from any waterbody.

• Stay on designated trails, roads and other developed areas to avoid tracking invasives to new areas.

• Follow Wisconsin’s firewood rules, to avoid moving harmful invasive pests and pathogens.

• Always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard.

• Use boat lights after sunset.

• Never consume alcohol or drugs before, or during an ATV ride or while operating a boat.

• Wear a helmet and protective clothing, such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, while riding an ATV.

• All children, under the age of 18, must have a minimum Department of Transportation standard motorcycle or ATV helmet. Bicycle helmets are not legal.

• Keep speed in mind, as weather and terrain conditions vary, or change.

• DNR boat launches are open.

• Boats must be registered, which can be done either online or by mail.

Consider taking the trail less traveled and visiting some lesser-known “hidden gem” state properties, to discover something new!