Free, fun weekend:
15 things to do during Wisconsin’s Free Fun Weekend, the first weekend in June, presents an embarrassment of outdoor riches for Wisconsin residents.
The first weekend in June presents an embarrassment of outdoor riches for Wisconsin residents. June 6-7 is Free Fun Weekend across the state, when residents can get in free to state parks and forests, fish without a license, and bike or ride horses or ATVs on designated state trails for free.
As if that’s not enough, June has been declared Great Outdoors Month in Wisconsin, and June 6 is National Trails Day, when the Elroy-Sparta State Trail will host an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of rail trails.
Many other parks and trails will also host special events, from flyfishing clinics to archery lessons, providing plenty of chances to try a new outdoor activity in Wisconsin.
Here are 15 ways to take advantage
of the outdoor free-for-all.
1. Bike Wisconsin's first rail trail
Elroy-Sparta State Trail, 130 White St., Kendall
As the country’s first abandoned railroad line to be converted to a recreational trail, the Elroy-Sparta trail boasts quite a legacy. The trail celebrates that legacy and its 50th anniversary during a ceremony at 2 p.m. June 6 at the Kendall depot. Cyclists can also take part in an anniversary ride along the 32-mile trail, which features three old railroad tunnels.
2. Channel Katniss’ bow-andarrow skills
Pike Lake, 3544 Kettle Moraine Road, Hartford
Try your hand at archery during Pike Lake’s Discovery Day from 9 For more day trips and travel ideas, see
wisconsintrails.com. a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6. The unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest will also host a guided bird hike at 7:30 a.m.; a live animal show at 10 a.m.; and kayak demonstrations, fishing lessons, solar viewing and more throughout the morning.
3. Take your mountain bike for a spin
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville
Join two members of the Kenosha Off-Road Bicycle Association for an introductory ride on the 4.4-mile Yellow Trail at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. The multipurpose trail is also open to hikers and is tame enough for beginners.
4. Cache it and trash it
Ice Age Visitor Center, N2875 Highway 67, Campbellsport
Track down geocaches and help clean up the Long Lake Recreation Area and the Zillmer Trails at the same time from 9 a.m. to noon June 6. Prizes will be awarded for the most caches found and trash collected.
5. See raptors up close
Whitefish Dunes State Park, 3275
Clarks Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay
See hawks, eagles and other birds of prey from the Open Door Bird Sanctuary from noon to 2 p.m. June 6 in the park’s nature center. Visitors can also measure their own wingspan and learn fun bird facts during the drop-in program.
6. Learn to fly fish
Mauthe Lake, N1490 County Rd GGG, Campbellsport
Anglers from Trout Unlimited will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon June 6 to help you learn how to land a big catch fly fishing. Space is limited for this event and registration is required; a few rods will be available, but bring your own gear if you have it. Call (920) 5338322 to register.
7. Gaze at the night sky
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville
Curious about constellations? Members of the Richard Bong State Recreation Area Astronomy Association will set up telescopes and lead a brief, informal presentation on the night sky beginning at sunset June 6, if the weather cooperates.
8. Watch Shakespeare under the sun
Blue Mound State Park, 4350 Mounds Park Road, Blue Mounds
Watch a condensed version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in various state parks around Wisconsin this summer for free. Catch one performance at 2:30 p.m. June 6 in Blue Mound State Park. Bring the kids (age 8 and up) early for a 45-minute workshop with the company members at 1 p.m.
9. Go on a family-friendly hike
Lapham Peak, W329 -N846 County C, Delafield
Bring the whole family to Lapham Peak for an easy hike on the 1.8-mile Plantation Path, a paved, wheelchairand stroller-friendly trail. Those with extra energy can climb the park’s 45foot observation tower for views from the highest point in Waukesha County, or join a 5-mile group hike on Ice Age Trail through the park. That hike begins at 9 a.m. June 6.
10. Bike past sandstone formations
Red Cedar State Trail, 912 Brickyard Road, Menomonie
Go for a ride along the Red Cedar River on this 14.5-mile limestone trail, which passes sandstone bluffs and over old truss bridges. Finish at the Depot Visitor Center for a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt, free cookies and lemonade, geocaching, and a live-bird presentation from the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. The depot event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6.
11. Enjoy pancakes in a park
Harrington Beach State Park, 531 County Road D, Belgium
Fill up on a free breakfast of pancakes, applesauce, sausage and beverages from 8 a.m. to noon June 7. The Friends of Harrington Beach State Park are hosting the meal at the Welcome Center; donations are appreciated. Stick around for solar viewing with the Northern Cross Science Foundation until 3 p.m.
12. Take the kids fishing
Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan
Learn how to cast and which bait to use to attract certain kinds of fish with park rangers and conservation wardens from 2 to 6 p.m. June 6. Clinics for kids age 15 and under include casting, knot-tying, fish ID and fish cleaning. Equipment is available for borrowing, but bring your own if you have it. Meet
13. Climb the Devil’s Staircase
Riverside Park, 2600 Parkside Drive, Janesville
Devil’s Lake State Park may offer one of the most famous hellacious hikes in Wisconsin, but Rock County boasts its own devil of a trail. Join members of the Ice Age Trail Alliance at 9 a.m. June 6 for a National Trails Day hike along the Devil's Staircase segment of the Ice Age Trail. The 2-mile, outand-back hike will travel up and down the bluffs overlooking the Rock River. Meet at Riverside Park’s north pavilion.
14. Picnic by a lake
Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area, W5508 CTH NN, New Glarus
Pack your own or purchase lunch (brats and hot dogs) from the Friends of Cadiz Springs for a nice summer picnic alongside Beckman Lake in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Then borrow fishing equipment and try to land a bass or trout, or hike along the 8 miles of trails in the park.
15. Tour Horicon Marsh by bike, foot or car
Horicon Marsh, N7725 Highway 28, Horicon
Choose from 8-, 18- or 36mile routes to bike, walk or drive around the largest cattail marsh in the country during the Tour de Marsh from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6. Tour maps and refreshments will be available at six spots in the marsh to help support self-guided tours, or you can join a guided, 8-mile bike tour on mostly flat terrain beginning at 9 a.m. at the main parking lot off Highway 49 on the northern end of the marsh. Day Out features day trips within a two-hour drive of the Milwaukee area. Facebook: fb.com/wisconsintrails Twitter: twitter.com/wisconsintrails