Month by month

Pick a month for its best bets, free days and tips. Every month page ranks the Wisconsin state parks, forests and trails that fit its best activities and lists the statewide free days that fall in it.

• January: Deep winter, best snow. Best bets: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, winter camping, sledding and mountain & fat biking.
• February: Candlelight season. Best bets: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, winter camping, sledding and mountain & fat biking.
• March: Mud, melt and eagles. Best bets: hiking, waterfalls, cross-country skiing, fishing and winter camping.
• April: Waterfalls & wildflowers. Best bets: waterfalls, hiking, fishing, biking, hunting and history & mounds.
• May: Opening season. Best bets: camping, hiking, waterfalls, biking, boating & paddling, fishing, history & mounds and mountain & fat biking.
• June: Free Fun Weekend. Best bets: camping, swimming, boating & paddling, biking, hiking, fishing and picnics & shelters.
• July: Peak lake days. Best bets: swimming, boating & paddling, camping, biking, picnics & shelters, stargazing and fishing.
• August: Late-summer sweet spot. Best bets: swimming, boating & paddling, camping, biking, stargazing, picnics & shelters and horseback riding.
• September: Cool nights, color begins. Best bets: hiking, biking, camping, fall color, boating & paddling, fishing, horseback riding, mountain & fat biking and rock climbing.
• October: Fall color everywhere. Best bets: fall color, hiking, biking, camping, waterfalls, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding and rock climbing.
• November: Quiet trails, hunting season. Best bets: hiking, winter camping, hunting, fishing, mountain & fat biking and history & mounds.
• December: First snow, first tracks. Best bets: winter camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, sledding, ice fishing and mountain & fat biking.