10-06-2004, 03:16 AM
The following is from the Wisconsin DNR website.
[size 2]Lake Wissota State Park[/size]
Current Conditions
Conditions as of Monday, October 4 , 2004:
The fall colors are great with yellows, reds and orange everywhere. Colors are at 60-80 percent. The trees are beginning to lose leaves.
Trails
Hiking trails. All hiking trails are open. The trails are regularly maintained and should be in great shape. Many people have been hiking among the fall colors and kicking up some leaves recently.
Nature
Deer can be seen on the trails, feeding along roadsides, in the prairie and in forests. Recently, some nice white-tailed bucks were spotted from the road. The best time to spot bucks is at night.
Deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, and songbirds are the most common wildlife spotted in the park. You may also see fox, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, eagles, and hawks. A great blue heron was spotted at night by the boat landing several times over the past couple weeks.
The prairies are in bloom. The yellow coneflower and wild bergamot (both links exit DNR) are the standout flowers this week.
The Nature Center is closed for the season.
A favorite trail is the Beaver Meadow Nature Trail, a one-mile loop trail with interpretive signs. The prairie is beautiful this time of year, as many wildflowers are still in bloom. Check out the self-guided prairie trail for an up close view. You also may also see butterflies, which have been a common sight lately.
"Wonder Walk" packs may be checked out at the park office. These backpacks are full of activities for children and adults alike to learn more about the nature and environment surrounding Lake Wissota. Ask at the park office for more information!
Campground Conditions
Our campground and its shower/flush toilet buildings are open for the season. The shower building in the left loop (sites 42-81) is closed for the season. Depending on the weather, the shower/flush toilet building in the right loop (sites 1-41) should be open through October 22.
If the office is closed, please self-register for camping (2 days maximum) at the campground entrance by the Camp Host site # 1. Maps and information are posted at the office building
State park vehicle admission stickers are required.
Please use the reservation system (exit DNR) to plan your 2005 summer camping outings. Reservations can be made for dates from May 1 to 11 months from today.
Camping reservations are not accepted from October 1 through April 30, although camping is allowed year round. The campground road is not plowed in the winter. You may drive into the campground as conditions allow. Some adventurous campers pack-in on foot, snowshoes, or skis when snow prevents driving to the sites.
Eight sites in the park are non-reservable and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are available for extended stays, and may not always be available.
Boating, Fishing, and Swimming
Anglers have reported fishing to be slow.
Rental canoes are available at the park office. Lots of fish and wildlife can be seen from a canoe. You will almost surely see turtles sunning themselves on warm days. The best places to see turtles from shore are the beach or boat landing.
The beach is closed for the season.
Candlelight Ski Scheduled
Our only candlelight night ski this winter will be February 5, 2005.
Get Your 2004 Sticker and Pass
Buy your 2004 annual state park vehicle admission stickers and trail passes now and use them until December 31, 2004. Stop by the park office or call (715) 382-4574 to get your sticker today!
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[size 2]Lake Wissota State Park[/size]
Current Conditions
Conditions as of Monday, October 4 , 2004:
The fall colors are great with yellows, reds and orange everywhere. Colors are at 60-80 percent. The trees are beginning to lose leaves.
Trails
Hiking trails. All hiking trails are open. The trails are regularly maintained and should be in great shape. Many people have been hiking among the fall colors and kicking up some leaves recently.
Nature
Deer can be seen on the trails, feeding along roadsides, in the prairie and in forests. Recently, some nice white-tailed bucks were spotted from the road. The best time to spot bucks is at night.
Deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, and songbirds are the most common wildlife spotted in the park. You may also see fox, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, eagles, and hawks. A great blue heron was spotted at night by the boat landing several times over the past couple weeks.
The prairies are in bloom. The yellow coneflower and wild bergamot (both links exit DNR) are the standout flowers this week.
The Nature Center is closed for the season.
A favorite trail is the Beaver Meadow Nature Trail, a one-mile loop trail with interpretive signs. The prairie is beautiful this time of year, as many wildflowers are still in bloom. Check out the self-guided prairie trail for an up close view. You also may also see butterflies, which have been a common sight lately.
"Wonder Walk" packs may be checked out at the park office. These backpacks are full of activities for children and adults alike to learn more about the nature and environment surrounding Lake Wissota. Ask at the park office for more information!
Campground Conditions
Our campground and its shower/flush toilet buildings are open for the season. The shower building in the left loop (sites 42-81) is closed for the season. Depending on the weather, the shower/flush toilet building in the right loop (sites 1-41) should be open through October 22.
If the office is closed, please self-register for camping (2 days maximum) at the campground entrance by the Camp Host site # 1. Maps and information are posted at the office building
State park vehicle admission stickers are required.
Please use the reservation system (exit DNR) to plan your 2005 summer camping outings. Reservations can be made for dates from May 1 to 11 months from today.
Camping reservations are not accepted from October 1 through April 30, although camping is allowed year round. The campground road is not plowed in the winter. You may drive into the campground as conditions allow. Some adventurous campers pack-in on foot, snowshoes, or skis when snow prevents driving to the sites.
Eight sites in the park are non-reservable and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are available for extended stays, and may not always be available.
Boating, Fishing, and Swimming
Anglers have reported fishing to be slow.
Rental canoes are available at the park office. Lots of fish and wildlife can be seen from a canoe. You will almost surely see turtles sunning themselves on warm days. The best places to see turtles from shore are the beach or boat landing.
The beach is closed for the season.
Candlelight Ski Scheduled
Our only candlelight night ski this winter will be February 5, 2005.
Get Your 2004 Sticker and Pass
Buy your 2004 annual state park vehicle admission stickers and trail passes now and use them until December 31, 2004. Stop by the park office or call (715) 382-4574 to get your sticker today!
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