State Park, Forest, and Recreation Area Admission Fees
User fees and state taxes provide most of the money for operating Wisconsin state parks, forests, and trails. The fees include vehicle admission stickers, state trail passes, and camping fees.
Admission fee waivers are available for school groups, disabled veterans and former POWs, conservation patron license holders and others. Ice Age Reserve units honor various National Park system passes but do not issue them.
Admission Stickers
A
vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in
state parks and recreation areas. Some state forest and trail parking
areas also require a sticker. Buy your sticker either when you get to the park
or in advance. You can buy either an annual sticker, for
admission to all state parks and forests for the calendar year, or a daily
sticker, valid only on the date of issue. If you have only a little time
to visit, you can buy a one-hour sticker at most state parks and forests.
2010 Sticker and Trail Pass Fees
Annual vehicle admission stickers and state trail passes for 2010 are valid from date of purchase through December 31, 2010.
| Sticker Fees | Annual | Half price* | Daily | One-hour** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI resident | $25 | $12.50 | $7 | $5 |
| WI resident age 65 and older | $10 | N/A | $3 | N/A |
| Non-resident | $35 | $17.50 | $10 | $5 |
| Bus, Wisconsin | $10 | |||
| Bus, out of state | $14 |
* Half-price annual stickers are available for additional vehicles registered
to the same household address.
**One-hour stickers are not available at all state parks or forests.
| State Trail Pass Fees | Annual | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| WI resident or non-resident | $20 | $4 |
How to Purchase Admission Stickers and State Trail Passes
There are many options for buying state park stickers and state trail passes:
A couple uses a self-registration station to purchase a park sticker for their vehicle.
DNR Photo
- Buy your daily or annual sticker when you get to a state park and forest entrance. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
- Some parks, forests, and trails have self-registration stations for payment of fees.
- Order online through Friends of Wisconsin State Parks [exit DNR].
- Businesses near state trails sell state trail passes.
- Department of Natural Resources service centers sell stickers and state trail passes.
There's an additional $5 fee for anyone who fails to pay the fee before using the park, trail, or campsite if there's a self-registration station available.
If You Have a Motorcycle
The vehicle admission sticker rule applies to motorcycles as well as cars and trucks. If your motorcycle does not have an adequate windshield or the sticker may damage the windshield, fasten the sticker in one of these places:
- On the front fork
- Behind the license plate
- Under the seat.
In some cases, a ranger may not see the sticker and issue you a notice. If this happens, return to the park or forest office to show your sticker and void the notice.
Replacement Stickers
If you have a valid, current-year sticker, and you are trading in your car or replacing a windshield with a state park sticker on it, you can get a replacement sticker for your new windshield at no charge. Here's how:
- Note the serial number of your current-year sticker.
- Scrape enough of the old sticker off (it will come off in pieces) to prove you have it.
- Print out the Annual Admission Sticker Replacement Application [PDF, 22KB] form.
- Fill in the form completely.
- Take or mail the form and old sticker to any state park or forest office.
Removing Old Stickers From Your Windshield
The most effective way to remove an old sticker is to scrape it off with a razor blade. For your safety, we recommend using a razor blade in a scraper holder, available at hardware stores. A razor blade works better than a box cutter, which just tends to scratch the sticker into tiny pieces with the tip of the blade.
You can also stop in at a state park contact station, and they can help you remove it. Goo-gone or other adhesive removers can be helpful if there is any residue left on the windshield, but the razor blade usually will remove most of the glue as well.
For more information, ask Wisconsin State Parks, (608) 266-2181.
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