Park Pass & Fees
The Annual Vehicle Admission Sticker ($28 resident / $38 non-resident) is valid for 12 months from purchase and provides entry to all state parks and recreation areas. Seniors (65+) pay $13. Daily rates are $8 (resident) / $11 (non-resident). A second-vehicle sticker for the same household is available at reduced rates. Stickers are based on vehicle registration, not driver’s license. Camping fees are separate.
Parks by Region
Southern Wisconsin
Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s most visited park (over 3 million visitors annually) — a 370-acre lake surrounded by 500-foot quartzite bluffs formed 1.6 billion years ago. The bluff trails offer panoramic views that rival anything in the Appalachians. Governor Dodge State Park features dramatic sandstone formations, two lakes, and Stephens Falls. Blue Mound State Park sits atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin with observation towers.
Door County Peninsula
Peninsula State Park in Door County is one of Wisconsin’s most beloved parks — 3,776 acres of limestone bluffs, cherry orchards, and Lake Michigan shoreline. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and the 18-hole golf course are iconic. Potawatomi State Park offers stunning views of Sturgeon Bay. Whitefish Dunes State Park features the highest sand dunes in Wisconsin.
Northwoods
Copper Falls State Park showcases ancient lava flows and two spectacular waterfalls on the Bad River — possibly the most scenic park in northern Wisconsin. Interstate State Park at the Dalles of the St. Croix features the world’s largest concentration of glacial potholes. Amnicon Falls State Park features a covered bridge spanning between waterfalls.
Lake Superior Shoreline
Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island offers pristine Lake Superior beaches and old-growth forest. The Apostle Islands sea caves are accessible from nearby kayak launches. Pattison State Park features 165-foot Big Manitou Falls — Wisconsin’s highest waterfall and the fourth highest east of the Rockies.
Best Parks by Activity
Best for Hiking
- Devil’s Lake State Park — Quartzite bluff trails
- Governor Dodge State Park — Sandstone formations and waterfalls
- Copper Falls State Park — Ancient lava flow canyon trails
- Wildcat Mountain State Park — Kickapoo Valley overlooks
Best for Camping
- Peninsula State Park — Door County camping near the bluffs
- Devil’s Lake State Park — 407 campsites near the lake
- Copper Falls State Park — Northwoods secluded camping
- Willow River State Park — Scenic waterfall campground
Best for Water Activities
- Devil’s Lake State Park — Swimming, canoeing in glacial lake
- Peninsula State Park — Lake Michigan kayaking
- Big Bay State Park — Lake Superior beach
- Mirror Lake State Park — Calm no-motor lake paddling
Best for Winter Activities
- Blue Mound State Park — Cross-country ski trails
- Devil’s Lake State Park — Winter bluff hiking and snowshoeing
- Lapham Peak Unit — 17+ miles of groomed ski trails
- Mirror Lake State Park — Winter camping and snowshoeing
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Waterfall season, wildflowers, cherry blossoms in Door County |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lake swimming, camping, Door County festivals |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Outstanding foliage, especially at Devil’s Lake and Door County |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | World-class cross-country skiing, ice fishing |
FAQs
How much does it cost to visit Wisconsin state parks?
$8/day or $28/year for Wisconsin-registered vehicles. Non-resident rates are $11/day or $38/year. Seniors 65+ pay $13/year.
What is the most popular state park in Wisconsin?
Devil’s Lake State Park draws over 3 million visitors annually — the most in any Wisconsin state park.
Can I see waterfalls in Wisconsin state parks?
Yes! Pattison State Park has the 165-foot Big Manitou Falls (Wisconsin’s highest), Copper Falls features dramatic canyon waterfalls, and Amnicon Falls has a covered bridge between cascades.
Is Door County worth visiting?
Absolutely. Peninsula State Park is the cornerstone of a region famous for cherry orchards, lighthouses, fish boils, and stunning Lake Michigan scenery. It’s Wisconsin’s most popular vacation destination.
Start Your Wisconsin Adventure
Wisconsin’s 50 state parks deliver ancient quartzite bluffs, billion-year-old lava flows, the state’s tallest waterfall, and some of the finest cross-country skiing in the nation. From Devil’s Lake’s dramatic cliffs to Door County’s lighthouse-studded shoreline, the Badger State earns its place among the Midwest’s finest outdoor destinations.
