Winter Wonderland
Hibernation is for the bears! Ice, cold and snow mean it's time to get outdoors.
Fun in the Snow.
Nearly half of Wisconsin's adults participate in some kind of ice- or snow-based recreation -- and there's no shortage of that fun in Wisconsin. With 45 inches of annual snowfall, nearly 4,000 miles of cross country ski trails, 388 ice skating rinks, 31 ski hills and nearly 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails, why go any where else?
- Snowmobiling: New 55-mph Night Time Speed Limit
- DNR Snowmobile Administrator Gary Eddy explains the new 55-mph night time speed limit for snowmobiles. View the 55 mph Snowmobile Speed Limit [VIDEO Length 1:08]
What to Do
Winter recreation in Wisconsin is limited only by your imagination and your ability to withstand the cold. Tour our photo gallery and archive of Natural Resources magazine articles to get some new ideas or reignite an old passion. Do what the spirit moves you, or join in a candlelight ski, track wolves, porcupines and other mammals on snowshoes (2008 Calendar of Events at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center [PDF 280KB]), and watch bald eagles soar above a river.
| Activity | % Participating | # of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Sledding [exit DNR] | 29.3 | 1,218,000 |
| Snowmobiling | 18.3 | 761,000 |
| Cross-country skiing | 11.4 | 474,000 |
| Ice fishing | 11.4 | 474,000 |
| Downhill skiing [exit DNR] | 9.7 | 403,000 |
| Snowshoeing | 8.0 | 333,000 |
| Snowboarding [exit DNR] | 4.7 | 195,000 |
| Ice hockey outdoors | 2.4 | 166,000 |
| Dog sledding [exit DNR] | 1.1 | 99,000 |
Don't forget these favorite activities. Winter's a great time to enjoy them: there are no bugs, no crowds, and these activities don't depend on snow or ice.
Where to Go
Wisconsin's state parks and forests are open during the winter and provide fantastic winter recreational opportunities. Opportunities vary by site, but wildlife watching, camping, Cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and dog sledding are among the activities available. Find a state park or forest and click on a park name to see what it offers. Learn more about recreation available on other state-owned lands by using an interactive mapping tool or a new alphabetized list of properties.
More great ice skating, sledding, skiing and other recreation is right outside your backdoor, thanks to opportunities provided by the parks and recreation departments operated by counties and cities [exit DNR] and by our private sector partners [exit DNR].
What to See
Wisconsin landscapes, beautiful at any time of the year, can be spectacular when cloaked in winter's snow and ice. For cool sights sure to warm your heart and fire up your spirit, try a state park or forest or visit a State Natural Area or public wildlife recreation lands.
Bears may hole up in their caves and our favorite songbirds may fly south, but winter offers a special time to view some of Wisconsin's favorite wildlife and follow in their tracks -- literally. Learn more in the Natural Resources Magazine's archive of recent winter nature notes, or follow the links from the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.
What to Know Before You Go
While there are plenty of winter activities to enjoy when Mother Nature is stingy with the snow and some places now make their own, it's always a good idea to check snow conditions [exit DNR] before leaving for your targeted slope or trail.
Ensure that your outing is as safe as it's fun by following some simple safety precautions. Dress appropriately for weather conditions, carry a cell-phone, and tell people where you're going and when you'll return. Recreating or traveling on ice requires special precautions, as does snowmobiling. Slow down and enjoy the ride.
In winter recreation, as in life, some of the best things are free. Some activities and places to enjoy them do charge to help pay for staff, maintenance, holding costs, and other charges associated with ensuring that land and facilities are there for your enjoyment.
- State Park and Trail Fees
- Snowmobile Registration Information
- Fishing Licenses
- For Your Safety at State Parks
