State Parks Gift Ideas

Do you need a gift that hard-to-buy-for person? How about giving more than 575,000 acres of pristine waters, hushed forests and scenic beauty?

Annual admission stickers for Wisconsin State Parks and Forests and passes for Wisconsin State Trails make great presents that give outdoor enthusiasts access to a year of fun and adventure. The 2009 passes are available now.

Each annual sticker allows one vehicle and everyone in it unlimited visits for the entire year to more than 60 state parks, forests and recreation areas. Second vehicle and senior citizen stickers also are available.

An annual trail pass gives a person access to more than 30 scenic trails throughout Wisconsin. The passes are required for anyone who bicycles or horseback rides on the designated trails. Hikers and children under 16 years of age are granted free trail admission.

You can buy stickers and trail passes:

• At your favorite state park, forest, recreation area, or trail.
• At any Department of Natural Resources service center.
• With a Visa or MasterCard, by calling the state park system office, (608)266-2181. The stickers and passes will be mailed to you.
• By sending a check or money order for the amount to Bureau of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921. The stickers and passes will be mailed to you.
• Online through Friends of Wisconsin State Parks [exit DNR].

More Gift Ideas

• Local park specialties—T shirts, sweatshirts, art prints, or other souvenirs.
• Friends group memberships--Help someone meet new friends and help your favorite state park at the same time.
• Subscriptions to Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
• Wisconsin, Naturally, a guide to state natural areas.
• The Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Guide.
• Gifts that help the environment.
• Holiday ideas for kids.