Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Trails
Candlelight Hike and Ski Events

Enjoy an evening hike, snowshoe, or ski along a trail lit by the flickering flames of candles or tiki torches.

Events in July, August, September, October and November 2008

Events in January and February 2009

Check the Wisconsin State Parks Current Conditions pages for information on trail conditions.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Summer Candlelight Hike. Enjoy a self-guided hike along the beach and wander the sand dunes along the cordwalk. The trail is lit with tiki torches for this annual summer event. Refreshments served at Sanderling Nature Center. Sorry, no pets or strollers allowed on the hike. Park at Sanderling Nature Center or North Beach lots. 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 or e-mail - Candlelight Beach Walk. Candles are lit once again for a stroll on the beach. A beach grid allows for handicapped accessiblity. Bring your family, friends and sweetheart for this 1-mile walk. Refreshments will be served in the shelter and there will be star stories at the amphitheater. Sponsored by the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park. Whitefish Dunes Beach. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

• Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 or e-mail - After Summer Candlelight Hike. Take a candlelight hike along the Lake Michigan beach and Quarry Lake. Telescopes for the public to view the night sky will be provided by the Northern Cross Science Foundation [exit DNR]. Meet at the Ansay Welcome Center and Puckett's Pond. Sponsored by the Friends of Harrington Beach and the Northern Cross Science Foundation. Candlelight hike 7-10 p.m., public viewing of the night sky 6-11 p.m.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

• Council Grounds State Park, Merrill, (715) 536-8773 or e-mail - Candlelight Hike. Walk among 500 candles illuminating a 2.5 mile stretch through Council Grounds. Parking is provided at the park entrance. 7-10 p.m.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Halloween in the Park. Celebrate Halloween early at Kohler-Andrae. Campers are encouraged to decorate their campsites for this sixth annual event. Guided candlelight hike, pumpkin carving, crafts, star gazing, and entertainment around the campfire. Children may dress in costume. Sorry, pets are not allowed on the hike or in the shelters. Enclosed shelter. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

• Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, (608) 873-9695 or e-mail - Candlelight Hike. Spend a beautiful fall evening hiking along the 1.2 mile White Oak Nature Trail, which will be lit with hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns and luminaries. Warm up by the bonfire and enjoy refreshments provided by the LKSP Friends Group. Grills will be provided to cook on. Sorry, no pets are allowed on the White Oak Nature Trail. There is no fee for this event, but a valid park admission sticker is required. This event is weather permitting. 6-9 p.m.
• Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, (608) 339-6881 - Pumpkin Walk. Games 3-4:30 p.m. Non-Haunted Hay Rides 3-5 p.m. Presentation by Naturalist Janna Misener 4:30 p.m.. Haunted Hay Rides 6:00-8:30 p.m. Last tickets sold at 8:30 p.m. Walk around the 1-mile pumpkin-lit mound road. Food and drink concession available. Free admission. Hay rides $2. Games and face painting are free. Starts at office picnic area. 3-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Halloween Hike. A festive event to celebrate Halloween. Hike a torchlit trail and enjoy snacks by a campfire. Costumes are welcomed but not required. Dress to be outside. 6-9 p.m.
• Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 or e-mail - Halloween Candlelight Hike. Take a candlelight hike on a haunted trail through Harrington Beach. Telescopes for the public to view the night sky will be provided by the Northern Cross Science Foundation [exit DNR]. Meet at the Ansay Welcome Center and Puckett's Pond. Sponsored by the Friends of Harrington Beach and the Northern Cross Science Foundation. Candlelight and haunted hike 6-9 p.m., public viewing of the night sky 6-11 p.m.

Friday, November 7, 2008

• Council Grounds State Park, Merrill, (715) 536-8773 or e-mail - Candlelight Hike. Walk among 500 candles illuminating a 2.5 mile stretch through Council Grounds. Parking is available at the park entrance. 6 -9 p.m.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Ski, hike or snowshoe on candlelit trails. A bonfire, free hot drinks and food for sale will be available. Sponsored by the Friends of Blue Mound State Park. Meet at the ski trailhead. 6-9 p.m.
• Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike. A candlelight ski/hike through the woods and around Quarry Lake. Refreshments served by the Friends of Harrington Beach State Park. Sponsored by Friends of Harrington Beach and Northern Cross Science Foundation. Trail head at Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center. 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Winter Candlelight Hike and Ski. Enjoy the winter wonderland at night with family and friends while skiing or hiking the two-mile cross country trail. Almost 200 tiki torches will light the way for this annual event. Warm up afterwards by the fireplace. Refreshments will be available in the heated shelter building. Please, no pets or sleds allowed on the trail. Cross-country Ski Trail. 6-9 p.m.

Friday, January 30, 2009

• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski and Hike. Ski 2 miles of candlelit trail or hike half a mile on the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail. Refreshments will be available at the Nature Center, a bonfire will be at the boat launch, and hot air balloons are expected for a moon glow in the beach area. Events begin at the Nature Center. 6-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Ski, hike or snowshoe on candlelit trails. A bonfire, free hot drinks and food for sale will be available. Sponsored by the Friends of Blue Mound State Park. Meet at the ski trailhead. 6-9 p.m.
• Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike. A candlelight ski/hike through the woods and around Quarry Lake. Refreshments served by the Friends of Harrington Beach State Park. Sponsored by Friends of Harrington Beach and Northern Cross Science Foundation. Trail head at Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center. 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Valentine Candlelight Ski and Hike. Celebrate Valentine's Day a bit early while enjoying the winter wonderland at night with family and friends. Ski or hike the 2-mile cross-country trail lit by almost 200 tiki torches. Warm up afterwards by the fireplace. Refreshments will be available in the heated shelter building. Please, no pets or sleds allowed. Cross-country Ski Trail. 6-9 p.m.
• Newport State Park, (920) 854-2500 or e-mail - 18th Annual Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Experience Newport State Park in a different light. Ski, hike, or snowshoe on a 1-mile trail lit by homemade candles. A bonfire, refreshments and lit grills will greet participants at the end of the trail. Meet at the picnic area by parking lot 3, near the Fern/Europe Bay Trail. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

• Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Boulder Junction, (715) 542-3923 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski-Hike-Snowshoe. Enchanting wooded trails, great people, warm cozy fires. Raven trails will be lit by hundreds of candles—1.5- and 3-mile loops for skiing and a 1-mile loop for hiking and snowshoeing. Meet at the Clear Lake Ranger Station off Woodruff Road and the Raven Ski Trail. 6-9 p.m.

For more information, ask Wisconsin State Parks, (608) 266-2181.