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 January, February and September 2009

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

Saturday, January 3, 2009

• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Ski the John Minix or Willow Springs trails or take the snowshoe/hiking trail that meanders a maple forest. Enjoy a fire at the warming shelter. Roast marshmallows and have hot chocolate while supporting the Friends of Blue Mound. Sponsored by Friends of Blue Mound State Park. The candlelight events will start at the trailhead in the pool parking lot. 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.
• Mirror Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 254-2333 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. There will be 2 miles of trail lighted for skiing and 1 mile for hiking and snowshoeing. Come and join us for a fun-filled, relaxing night! The friends group will have food and beverages for sale and two roaring bonfires to relax and warm by. Sponsored by Friends of Mirror Lake State Park. 6-8 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.
• Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, (608) 873-9695 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski. Spend a beautiful winter evening cross-country skiing along 2 miles of wooded and prairie trails, which will be lit with hundreds of glowing luminaries. When you are finished, warm up by the bonfire. Grills will be available to cook on. The park friends group will provide drinks and baked goods. Sorry, no pets are allowed on ski trails. This event is snow and weather conditions permitting. 6-9 p.m.
• Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski. Ski 1.5 miles of cross-country trail lighted with torches. A bonfire at the midpoint of the trail will be waiting to warm up cold hands. Afterwards take a break inside our warming area with a cup of hot chocolate. At the trailhead there will be a hot grill and bonfire for those who wish to cook out. Night sky viewing through telescopes with Prof. Bob Hirschy and John Heasley Park office, 3 miles east of Ontario. Dusk to 9 p.m.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

• Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville, (608) 935-2315 - Candlelight Ski.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

• Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, (715) 258-2372 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski. A 1.3-mile cross-country ski trail will be lighted by candles, along with another 1 mile of lighted hiking trail. A great way to get rid of the winter doldrums! No trail pass is required for this event. Sponsored by Friends of Hartman Creek. Hartman Lake Shelter Building. 5-8 p.m.
  
  
• Point Beach State Forest , Two Rivers, (920) 794-7480 - Candlelight Ski and Hike.

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 lighted 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. This event is weather dependant, please call ahead. 6-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

• Black River State Forest, Black R. Falls, (715) 284-4103 - Candlelight Ski.
• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. Ski the John Minix or Willow Springs trails or take the snowshoe/hiking trail that meanders a maple forest. Enjoy a fire at the warming shelter. Roast marshmallows and have hot chocolate while supporting the Friends of Blue Mound. Sponsored by Friends of Blue Mound State Park. The candlelight events will start at the trailhead in the pool parking lot. 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.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit , Campbellsport, (262) 626-2116 - Candlelight Ski.
• Mirror Lake State Park , Baraboo, (608) 254-2333 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe. There will be 2 miles of trail lighted for skiing and 1 mile for hiking and snowshoeing. Come and join us for a fun-filled, relaxing night! The friends group will have food and beverages for sale and two roaring bonfires to relax and warm by. Sponsored by Friends of Mirror Lake State Park. 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

• Interstate State Park , St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Candlelight Hike, Ski, and Snowshoe. 6-9 p.m.
• 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.
• Lake Kegonsa State Park , Stoughton, (608) 873-9695 or e-mail - Valentines Day Candlelight Ski. Spend a beautiful winter evening cross country skiing along 2 miles of wooded and prairie trails, which will be lit with hundreds of glowing luminaries. When you are finished, warm up by the bonfire. Grills will be available to cook on. The park friends group will provide drinks and baked goods. Sorry, no pets are allowed on ski trails. This event is snow and weather conditions permitting. 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.
• Peshtigo River State Forest, Crivitz, (715) 757-3965 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski along the Peshtigo River. Ski 2 miles of groomed trail along the Peshtigo River lit by beautiful candle luminaries. If you don't ski, there will be 1-mile of candlelit trail for hikers. Warming fires and hot chocolate will be provided. Spring Rapids Trailhead, 5 miles west of Crivitz on County Road W to Kirby Lake Lane. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

• Governor Thompson State Park, Crivitz, (715) 757-3979 or e-mail - Candlelight Ski and Hike. An easy 1-mile candlelit trail groomed for both diagonal striding and skate skiing weaves through the woods. Non-skiers are welcome to hike another 1-mile candlelit trail with scenic views over Woods Lake. Hikers and pets are not allowed on the ski trail, but are welcome on the hiking trail. A warming fire and hot chocolate will be available for everyone. A vehicle admission sticker is required and can be purchased at the park office. Meet at the Woods Lake Picnic Area. 6 - 9 p.m.
• 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.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

• 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.

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