Map of State Parks of Wisconsin
Hold cursor over locations to display park name;
click to go to park article.

A Wisconsin state park is an area of land in the U.S. state of Wisconsin preserved by the state for its natural, historic, or other resources. The state park system in Wisconsin includes both state parks and state recreation areas. Wisconsin currently has 66 state park units, covering more than 60,570 acres (245.1 km2) in state parks and state recreation areas. Each unit was created by an act of the Wisconsin Legislature and is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. The Division of Forestry manages a further 471,329 acres (1,907.40 km2) in Wisconsin's state forests.

Several Wisconsin state parks contain resources that have been recognized on a national level. Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, Devil's Lake State Park, and Interstate State Park are units of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, while the Wyalusing Hardwood Forest in Wyalusing State Park is a National Natural Landmark. Two Wisconsin state parks contain National Historic Landmarks, both of which are Native American archaeological sites: Aztalan and Copper Culture. 15 state parks contain a total of 23 separate listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). These are the two previously mentioned National Historic Landmarks, plus Lake Farms Archaeological District at Capital Springs State Recreation Area, Copper Falls State Park, six individual buildings at Heritage Hill State Historical Park (Baird Law Office, Cotton House, Fort Howard Hospital, Fort Howard Officers' Quarters, Fort Howard Ward Building, and Tank Cottage), High Cliff Mounds at High Cliff State Park, the Seth Peterson Cottage in Mirror Lake State Park, the Raddatz Rockshelter at Natural Bridge State Park, Stonefield partially within Nelson Dewey State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park, the Roche-a-Cri Petroglyphs in Roche-a-Cri State Park, the shot tower in Tower Hill State Park, Whitefish Dunes-Bay View Site in Whitefish Dunes State Park, Wyalusing State Park Mounds Archaeological District in Wyalusing State Park, and four listings in Rock Island State Park: the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, Rock Island Historic District, Thordarson Estate Historic District, and a water tower.

History

Wisconsin became the first state to have a state park in 1878[1] when it formed "The State Park". The park consisted of 760 square miles (2,000 km2) in northern Wisconsin (most of present-day Vilas County).[2] The state owned 50,631 acres (205 km2), which was less than 10% of the total area.[2] There were few residents in the area. Lumber barons were powerful in the area, and they purchased 2/3 of the state's land at $8 per acre.[2] This defeated the purpose of the parks for it didn't save the land from the ax.[2]

In 1895, the state legislature created an act which authorized the state governor to examine some land in Polk County at the Dalles of the St. Croix River to become a state park.[2] In 1899, the legislature approved the purchase of Interstate State Park and it was established on September 20, 1900.[2] Architect John Nolen was hired in 1907 to draft a feasibility plan for a Wisconsin State Parks System and State Parks for Wisconsin was released later that year.[2] The report was the guideline used to set up the state park system. It recommended the creation of four state parks: Dells of the Wisconsin River, Devil's Lake, Door County's Fish Creek (now Peninsula State Park) and the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers (now Wyalusing State Park). Three became state parks, and the fourth became Dells Natural Area in 2005.[2] A State Conservation Commission was formed in 1915 by combining the State Park Board, the State Board of Forestry, the Fisheries Commission, and the state Game Warden Department.[2]

List of Wisconsin state parks and recreation areas

Park Name County or Counties Size[3] Year established[2] Water Body(s) Remarks
acres ha
Amnicon Falls State Park Douglas 828 335 1961 Amnicon River Contains a series of waterfalls and a historic covered bridge.[4]
Aztalan State Park Jefferson 172 70 1947 Crawfish River Interprets a partially reconstructed Mississippian culture village that flourished 1000–1300 CE. The site is a National Historic Landmark.[5]
Belmont Mound State Park Lafayette 1961 None Features a 64-foot (20 m) observation tower atop a 400-foot (120 m) hill. Operated by the Belmont Lions Club.
Big Bay State Park Ashland 2,418 979 1963 Lake Superior Includes a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) beach on Madeline Island, largest of the Apostle Islands.[6]
Big Foot Beach State Park Walworth 272 110 1949 Geneva Lake Offers camping and fishing adjacent to a 100-foot (30 m) beach.[7]
Blue Mound State Park Dane 1,153 467 1959 Ryan Creek Contains observation towers atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin and the state park system's only swimming pool.[8]
Brunet Island State Park Chippewa 1,225 496 1936 Chippewa and Fisher Rivers Preserves a 179-acre (72 ha) island and backwater channels popular with canoeists.[9]
Buckhorn State Park Juneau 6,990 2,830 1971 Castle Rock Lake Protects a scenic peninsula on a reservoir formed at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Yellow Rivers.[10]
Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area Green 644 261 1970 Beckman and Zander Lakes Offers water recreation on two spring-fed reservoirs in the mostly lakeless Driftless Area.[11]
Campbellsport Drumlins State Park Fond du Lac 3,600 1,500 1971 None A unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.[12]: 2 [13]
Capital Springs State Recreation Area Dane 3,000 1,200 2000 Lake Waubesa Encompasses park properties just south of Madison unified in the centennial year of the state park system. A Native American archaeological site is on the NRHP.[14]
Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area Chippewa 3,272 1,324 1971 Numerous kettle lakes Interprets varied glacial landforms. The park is a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.[15]
Copper Culture State Park Oconto 42 17 1959 Oconto River Interprets a burial ground used by the Old Copper Culture from 3000 to 2000 BCE.[16] The site is a National Historic Landmark.
Copper Falls State Park Ashland 3,068 1,242 1929 Bad River Contains 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of the Bad River, including a 2-mile (3.2 km) gorge with several waterfalls.[17] The park is listed on the NRHP.
Council Grounds State Park Lincoln 509 206 1938 Wisconsin River Lies on a riverbank where Native Americans were said to have once held councils.[18]
Cross Plains State Park Dane 1,500 610 1971 None A unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.[19] Consists of land owned by Dane County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.[20]
Devil's Lake State Park Sauk 10,200 4,100 1911 Devil's Lake Protects a 360-acre (150 ha) endorheic lake in the Baraboo Range, hemmed in by moraines and 500-foot (150 m) quartzite bluffs.[21] The park is a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.
Fischer Creek State Recreation Area Manitowoc 124 50 1991 Lake Michigan Preserves a mile of shoreline flanking the mouth of Fischer Creek. Managed by the Manitowoc County Park System.[22]
Governor Dodge State Park Iowa 5,270 2,130 1948 Two man-made lakes Preserves Driftless Area topography in memory of Henry Dodge, settler and first governor of the Wisconsin Territory.[23]
Governor Nelson State Park Dane 422 171 1975 Lake Mendota Contains a 500-foot (150 m) beach, restored prairie, and ancient Indian mounds.[24]
Governor Thompson State Park Marinette 2,600 1,100 2000 Peshtigo River, Woods Lake In development around a series of lakes and streams.[25]
Grand Traverse Island State Park Door 5.05 2.04 1970 Lake Michigan Protects 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land on Detroit Island.[26][27] There is currently a movement for this and surrounding lands to be established as a national lakeshore.[28]
Harrington Beach State Park Ozaukee 637 258 1966 Lake Michigan Features a mile-long beach, a white cedar swamp, and a 26-acre (11 ha) quarry lake.[29]
Hartman Creek State Park Waupaca and Portage 1,417 573 1962 Hartman Creek, seven lakes
Heritage Hill State Historical Park Brown 48 19 1973 Fox River Comprises an open-air museum of 25 historical structures and over 11,000 artifacts managed by a non-profit organization. Six of the buildings are on the NRHP.[30]
High Cliff State Park Calumet 1,147 464 1954 Lake Winnebago Straddles the cliff of the Niagara Escarpment on the northeast shore of Wisconsin's largest lake.[31] A group of effigy mounds is on the NRHP.
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area Dunn 707 286 1980 None Features trails and a 60-foot (18 m) observation tower among hills covered in forest, prairie, and wetlands.[32]
Holzhueter Farm Conservation Park Jefferson 175 71 2009 None Under development. Managed by Jefferson County, owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources[33][13]
Interstate State Park Polk 1,330 540 1900 St. Croix River, Lake O' the Dalles Preserves a basalt river gorge jointly with an adjacent state park in Minnesota. The park is within the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and contains the western terminus of the Ice Age Trail.[34]
Kinnickinnic State Park Pierce 1,239 501 1972 St. Croix and Kinnickinnic Rivers Offers boat-in camping and overlooks at the sandy river delta at the mouth of the Kinnickinnic.[35]
Kohler-Andrae State Park Sheboygan 988 400 1928 Lake Michigan, Black River Preserves dunes, golden sand beaches, and pine woodland.[36]
Lake Kegonsa State Park Dane 343 139 1962 Lake Kegonsa Adjoins a 3,209-acre (1,299 ha) glacial lake in rural Dane County.[37]
Lake Wissota State Park Chippewa 1,062 430 1962 Lake Wissota Features forest, prairie, and a 285-foot (87 m) swimming beach on a reservoir of the Chippewa River (Wisconsin).[38]
Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee 22 8.9 1998 Lake Michigan Provides urban green space on Milwaukee's lakefront.[39]
Lizard Mound State Park Washington 22 8.9 2022 None Contains 28 effigy mounds in excellent states of preservation, walking trails and interpretive signage. Originally established as a State Park in 1950, it was taken over by Washington County in 1986. It was deeded back to the state in 2021 and redesignated a State Park in 2022.
Menominee River State Park and Recreation Area Marinette 6,563 2,656 2010 Menominee River Protects several miles of the Menominee River in conjunction with Michigan's Menominee River State Recreation Area.[40]
Merrick State Park Buffalo 320 130 1932 Mississippi River Offers fishing and boating on quiet backwaters of the Mississippi.[41]
Mill Bluff State Park Monroe and Juneau 1,337 541 1936 Unnamed swimming pond Contains unusual steep sandstone bluffs that formed as islands in Glacial Lake Wisconsin.[42]
Mirror Lake State Park Sauk 2,179 882 1962 Mirror Lake Surrounds a reservoir whose wooded shores and 50-foot (15 m) cliffs often keep the water mirror-smooth.[43] The Seth Peterson Cottage designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is on the NRHP.
Natural Bridge State Park Sauk 530 210 1972 None Contains the largest natural arch in the state and an NRHP-listed rock shelter once used by Paleo-Indians.[44]
Nelson Dewey State Park Grant 756 306 1935 Mississippi River Encompasses a 500-foot (200 m) river bluff that was once part of the estate of Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin's first governor.[45] Stonefield estate is on the NRHP.
New Glarus Woods State Park Green 431 174 1934 Little Sugar River branch Preserves mature forest and restored prairie.[46]
Newport State Park Door 2,373 960 1964 Lake Michigan Comprises Wisconsin's only wilderness-designated park.[47]
Pattison State Park Douglas 1,476 597 1920 Black River Contains 165-foot (50 m) Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the fourth-highest east of the Rocky Mountains.[48]
Peninsula State Park Door 3,776 1,528 1909 Green Bay Contains a golf course, summer theater, group camps, and lighthouse on nearly 7 miles (11 km) of shoreline on the Door Peninsula.[49] The 1868 Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is on the NRHP.
Perrot State Park Trempealeau 1,270 510 1918 Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers Features 500-foot-high (200 m) bluffs bearing rare goat prairie communities on their southwestern faces.[50]
Potawatomi State Park Door 1,225 496 1928 Sturgeon Bay Protects steep-to-sheer shoreline on the Door Peninsula.[51]
Rib Mountain State Park Marathon 1,528 618 1927 None Straddles 1,924-foot (586 m) Rib Mountain, one of the highest points in Wisconsin.[52]
Richard Bong State Recreation Area Kenosha 4,515 1,827 1963 Several small lakes Supports recreational activities, including ATVs, falconry, hunting and sled dog training, and model aircraft on the site of the abortive R.I. Bong Air Force Base.[53]
Roche-a-Cri State Park Adams 604 244 1948 Little Roche-a-Cri Creek Contains a 300-foot (91 m) outcropping bearing the NRHP-listed Roche-a-Cri Petroglyphs.[54]
Rock Island State Park Door 912 369 1965 Lake Michigan Encompasses most of vehicle-free Rock Island, accessed by two ferry rides at the tip of the Door Peninsula. Four listings are on the NRHP, including the 1836 Pottawatomie Lighthouse and inventor Chester Thordarson's 20th-century estate.[55]
Rocky Arbor State Park Juneau 225 91 1932 Unnamed creek Preserves sandstone outcroppings similar to the nearby Dells of the Wisconsin River along one of the river's former channels.[56]
Straight Lake State Park Polk 2,780 1,130 2002 Straight Lake In development around a lake surrounded by mature forest and glacial landforms.[57]
Tower Hill State Park Iowa 77 31 1922 Wisconsin River Interprets a reconstructed shot tower where lead shot was manufactured 1832–1860.[58] The tower is on the NRHP.
Whitefish Dunes State Park Door 863 349 1967 Lake Michigan, Clark Lake Protects dunes that formed across the mouth of a bay. A district of eight habitation sites dating from 100 BCE to 1800 CE are on the NRHP.[59]
Wildcat Mountain State Park Vernon 3,643 1,474 1948 Kickapoo River Comprises a steep ridge overlooking the Kickapoo Valley.[60]
Willow River State Park St. Croix 2,891 1,170 1967 Willow River Contains a waterfall in a sandstone gorge and a 172-acre (70 ha) lake.[61]
Wyalusing State Park Grant 2,628 1,064 1917 Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers Occupies a 500-foot-high (150 m) bluff overlooking the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.[62] The park's hardwood forest is a National Natural Landmark and a district of prehistoric mounds is on the NRHP.
Yellowstone Lake State Park Lafayette 968 392 1970 Yellowstone Lake Surrounds a 455-acre (184 ha) reservoir built in the lake-poor Driftless Area.[63]

List of former Wisconsin state parks

Park name County or counties Area Year
founded 		Year
closed 		Body of water Remarks
acres ha
Lost Dauphin State Park Brown 19 7.7 1947 1974[64][65] Fox River Surrounded the cabin site of Eleazar Williams, once rumored to be the Lost Dauphin. The state still owns the land (as of 2017), now known as Lost Dauphin Park.
Old Wade House State Park[66] Sheboygan 240 97[67] 1953[68] 1992[69][70] Mullet River Now run by the Wisconsin Historical Society as the Wade House Historic Site

See also

References

  1. ^ Loohuis, Jackie (May 6, 2006). "Happy trails, old and new". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Wisconsin State Parks through the Years". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  3. ^ Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Parks and Recreation. "Wisconsin State Park System: 2006 Visitor Information Guide for State Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas & Trails."
  4. ^ "Amnicon Falls State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  5. ^ "Aztalan State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "Big Bay State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Big Foot Beach State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  8. ^ "Blue Mound State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  9. ^ "Brunet Island State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  10. ^ "Buckhorn State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  12. ^ Bewer, Tim (2003). Wisconsin's Outdoor Treasures: A Guide to 150 Natural Destinations. Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 1-931599-29-7.
  13. ^ a b "Hunting and Trapping in Wisconsin State Parks". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  14. ^ "Capital Springs State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  15. ^ "Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  16. ^ "Copper Culture State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  17. ^ "Copper Falls State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  18. ^ "Council Grounds State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  19. ^ "Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  20. ^ "Ice Age Complex Master Plan" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  21. ^ "Devil's Lake State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  22. ^ "Fischer Creek State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  23. ^ "Governor Dodge State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  24. ^ "Governor Nelson State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  25. ^ "Governor Thompson State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  26. ^ "Payment of State Aid to Municipalities for the payment year of 2005" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  27. ^ Hunting & Trapping Map Grand Traverse Island State Park, Wisconsin DNR PUB PR-2090, Rev. 9/11/2014
  28. ^ Grand Traverse Islands National Lakeshore Campaign, Friends of the Grand Traverse Islands, accessed February 27, 2016)
  29. ^ "Harrington Beach State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  30. ^ "Heritage Hill State Historical Park". Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  31. ^ "High Cliff State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  32. ^ "Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  33. ^ "Public Input Invited for New Conservation Park". Jefferson County Living. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  34. ^ "Interstate State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  35. ^ "Kinnickinnic State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  36. ^ "Kohler-Andrae State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  37. ^ "Lake Kegonsa State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  38. ^ "Lake Wissota State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  39. ^ "Lakeshore State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  40. ^ "Menominee River State Park and Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  41. ^ "Merrick State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  42. ^ "Mill Bluff State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  43. ^ "Mirror Lake State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  44. ^ "Natural Bridge State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  45. ^ "Nelson Dewey State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  46. ^ "New Glarus Woods State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  47. ^ "Newport State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  48. ^ "Pattison State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  49. ^ "Peninsula State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  50. ^ "Perrot State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  51. ^ "Potawatomi State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  52. ^ "Rib Mountain State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  53. ^ "Richard Bong State Recreation Area". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  54. ^ "Roche-A-Cri State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  55. ^ "Rock Island State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  56. ^ "Rocky Arbor State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  57. ^ "Straight Lake State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  58. ^ "Tower Hill State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  59. ^ "Whitefish Dunes State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  60. ^ "Wildcat Mountain State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  61. ^ "Willow River State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  62. ^ "Wyalusing State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  63. ^ "Yellowstone Lake State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  64. ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Highways (1973). Wisconsin Highway Map (Map). 1:823,680. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 5, 2023 – via American Geographical Society Library Digital Map Collection.
  65. ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Highways (1975). Wisconsin Highway Map (Map). 1:823,680. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 5, 2023 – via American Geographical Society Library Digital Map Collection.
  66. ^ "Old Wade State Park". StateParks.com. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  67. ^ "Accessibility and Safety: Wheelchair access". Wade House. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  68. ^ "Our New State Park". Sheboygan Press. June 6, 1953. p. 20.
  69. ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Highways (1991). Wisconsin Highway Map (PDF) (Map) (1991–1992 ed.). 1:823,680. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation. OCLC 25418391, 781234246, 27016238. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  70. ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Highways (1993). Wisconsin Highway Map (PDF) (Map) (1993–1994 ed.). 1:823,680. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation. OCLC 316818757. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to State parks of Wisconsin.
State of Wisconsin
Protected areas of Wisconsin
Lists of state parks by U.S. state
Categories