Badger State hikers, skiers, and snowshoe enthusiasts celebrate the shorter days of winter with candlelight outings in a host of state forests, parks, and trail systems. These special night events attract outdoor sports participants statewide.
Full moons are expected on Saturday, January 26, and Monday, February 25. Brighter nights may be enjoyed on or around those dates.
Take a look at this selection of winter candlelight skiing, snowshoeing and hiking events in Wisconsin.
Trails may be lit by candlelight only, or illuminated by torches, markers or lights as well. Groomed trails may be available to challenge participants at many different levels of ability and experience.
Saturday, January 5
- Blue Mound State Park – Mount Horeb
- Harrington Beach State Park – Belgium
- Mirror Lake State Park – Wisconsin Dells
Saturday, January 12
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Park – Delafield
- Kohler- Andrae State Park – Sheboygan
- Lake Kegonsa State Park – Stoughton
- Mosquito Hill Nature Center – New London
- Wildcat Mountain State Park – Ontario
Saturday, January 19
- Brunet Island State Park – Cornell
- Governor Dodge State Park – Dodgeville
- Horicon Marsh International Education Center – Horicon
Friday, January 25
- Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area – New Auburn
- Navarino Nature Center – Shawano
- Red Cedar State Trail – Menomonie
Saturday, January 26
- Brule River State Forest – Afterhours Ski Trail – Superior
- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area – Grantsburg
- Hartman Creek State Park – Waupaca
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit – Eagle
- Lake Ducoy – Phillips
- Lake Wissota State Park – Cheppewa Falls
- Stower Seven Lakes Trail – Amery
- Whitefish Dunes State Park – Sturgeon Bay
Saturday, February 2
- Big Foot Beach State Park – Lake Geneva
- Black River State Forest – Black River
- Blue Mound State Park – Mount Horeb
- Flambeau River State Forest – Phillips
- Harrington Beach State Park – Belgium
- High Cliff State Park - Sherwood
- Ice Age Trail – Bohn Lake Segment - Hancock
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit – Campbellsport
- Look Around the Lake - Minocqua
- Mirror Lake State Park – Wisconsin Dells
- Peninsula State Park – Fish Creek
- Tara Lila Nature Trail – Eagle River
Saturday, February 9
- Copper Culture State Park – Oconto
- Interstate State Park – St. Croix Falls
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Park – Delafield
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit – Hartford
- Kohler- Andrae State Park – Sheboygan
- Woodland Dunes Nature Center – Manitowoc
Saturday, February 16
- Book Across the Bay – Chequamegon Bay – Ashland/Washburn
- Governor Thompson State Park – Crivitz
- Mosquito Hill Nature Center – New London
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area – Burlington
Saturday, February 23
- Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area – New Auburn
- Council Grounds State Park - Merrill
- Navarino Nature Center – Shawano
Friday, March 1
- Brownstone Trail - Bayfield
At most locations, candlelight hikes and walks are held when snow conditions are insufficient for skiing and snowshoeing.
Admission to candlelight trail events is generally free, although many locations may require purchased vehicle parking stickers and perhaps daily or annual trail passes as well.
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