How to get free admission to Wisconsin state parks in 2026

Wisconsin DNR has confirmed multiple free admission opportunities for 2026, with First Day Hikes on January 1 and Free Fishing Weekend January 17-18 already officially announced. The signature Free Fun Weekend will return the first weekend of June, and veterans continue to receive free admission on Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day. A significant policy shift from 2025 also affects nonresident pricing.

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Winter Free Fishing: January 17-18, 2026

The DNR confirmed (December 12, 2025) that the Winter Free Fishing Weekend falls on January 17-18, 2026—the third full weekend in January, following the established annual pattern. During this weekend:

• No fishing license, trout stamp, or salmon stamp required for residents or nonresidents

• All hook and line regulations remain in effect (bag limits, size limits, species restrictions)

• Some trout streams, spring ponds, and lakes remain closed

• Open trout streams allow artificial lures only with mandatory catch-and-release

• 19 tackle loaner sites across Wisconsin offer free ice fishing equipment

Important note: This is free fishing only—vehicle admission stickers are still required at state parks.

Free Fun Weekend projected for June 6-7, 2026

While exact dates haven't been officially announced, the DNR confirmed in a December 17, 2025 news release that Free Fun Weekend will be offered in 2026. Based on the consistent pattern of the first full weekend in June, the dates will be Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7, 2026.

Year Free Fun Weekend Dates 2024 June 1-2 2025 June 7-8 2026 June 6-7 (projected)

Free Fun Weekend is Wisconsin's most comprehensive free admission event, waiving:

• Vehicle admission at all 50 state parks and 15 state forests

• Trail passes on all state-operated designated trails (including ATV/UTV trails)

• Fishing licenses, trout stamps, and salmon stamps (this doubles as Summer Free Fishing Weekend)

The official announcement typically comes in late April or May, approximately 4-6 weeks before the event.

Veterans receive free admission on 2 occasions

Wisconsin residents who are service members (as defined in state statute 27.01) receive free vehicle admission on:

• Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25

• Veterans Day 2026: Wednesday, November 11

Eligible veterans must produce evidence of both Wisconsin residency and service member status. The exemption applies to all vehicles except buses.

Nonresident fees increased significantly in 2025

2025 Wisconsin Act 15 raised nonresident fees effective August 19, 2025, with rates continuing through 2026:

Pass Type WI Residents Residents 65+ Nonresidents 12-Month Pass $28 $13 $50 (up from ~$38) Reduced Rate* $15.50 n/a $32.50 Daily Pass $13 $3 $16

*Reduced rate for additional vehicles at same household address

The 12-month rolling pass system (implemented December 2024 under Wisconsin Act 113) continues—passes are valid for 12 months from purchase date rather than calendar year. The 2026 pass design (featuring artwork by Jaelyn Logterman of Delavan-Darien High School) becomes available January 1, 2026.

Library pass program continues

The "Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library" program, now in its fourth year, has not received a specific 2026 announcement. The program currently operates through 150+ libraries and 200+ locations statewide, including public, university, and technical college libraries.

Libraries purchase passes in sets of 9 for $45 ($5 per pass), with each pass providing free single-day vehicle admission. Based on the 2024/2025 pattern, library pass sales for the 2026 season likely began in November 2025, though no formal announcement has been made.

Additional free and waived admission

Beyond the major free dates, ongoing programs provide year-round access:

• Conservation Patrons: Those purchasing the Conservation Patron license receive free admission April 1 through March 31

• Disabled Veterans and Former POWs: Wisconsin residents with approved applications receive free admission

• Federal Entrance Pass holders: Free admission at Ice Age National Scenic Reserve units

• Educational groups: Schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations can request advance waivers

Other confirmed 2026 events include candlelight hikes, Work Play Earth Day, and Invasive Species Awareness Weekend, though specific dates haven't been announced.

Complete list of Wisconsin state parks by region

The Whispering Rocks of Wyalusing

Wisconsin's state park system—the nation's oldest, established in 1900— encompasses 49-52 properties depending on classification of hybrid sites. This list covers all designated state parks.

Door County leads with six parks: Peninsula (most popular in the region), Potawatomi, Newport, Whitefish Dunes, Rock Island, and Grand Traverse Island.

Northern Wisconsin: Amnicon Falls (Douglas County), Big Bay on Madeline Island (Ashland County), Copper Falls (Ashland County), Council Grounds near Merrill (Lincoln County), Pattison near Superior featuring Wisconsin's highest waterfall (Douglas County)

Northeastern Wisconsin: Copper Culture near Oconto, Governor Thompson near Crivitz, Heritage Hill in Green Bay, Lost Dauphin near De Pere, Menominee River on the Michigan border

Eastern Wisconsin (Lake Michigan corridor): Grand Traverse Island, Harrington Beach (Ozaukee County), High Cliff overlooking Lake Winnebago (Calumet County), Kohler-Andrae in Sheboygan, Lakeshore in Milwaukee, Lizard Mound near West Bend, Newport, Potawatomi, Rock Island, Whitefish Dunes

Central Wisconsin: Buckhorn near Necedah, Hartman Creek near Waupaca, Mill Bluff near Camp Douglas, Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, Rib Mountain near Wausau, Roche-A-Cri near Friendship, Rocky Arbor near Wisconsin Dells, Straight Lake near Luck

Northwestern Wisconsin: Brunet Island near Cornell, Interstate at St. Croix Falls (Wisconsin's first state park, 1900), Kinnickinnic near River Falls, Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, Willow River near Hudson

Southern Wisconsin (including Madison area): Aztalan near Lake Mills (archaeological site), Big Foot Beach at Lake Geneva, Blue Mound (highest point in southern Wisconsin), Cross Plains, Devil's Lake near Baraboo (largest at 10,200+ acres and most visited statewide), Governor Nelson near Waunakee, Lake Kegonsa near Stoughton, Natural Bridge near Sauk City, New Glarus Woods, Tower Hill near Spring Green, Yellowstone Lake near Blanchardville

Western Wisconsin (Mississippi River region): Belmont Mound, Governor Dodge near Dodgeville, Merrick near Fountain City, Nelson Dewey near Cassville, Perrot near Trempealeau, Wildcat Mountain near Ontario, Wyalusing near Bagley

Conclusion

Wisconsin's 2026 free admission calendar offers multiple opportunities for budget-conscious park visitors. The January 1 First Day Hikes and January 17-18 Free Fishing Weekend are confirmed and imminent. June 6-7 will almost certainly be Free Fun Weekend based on the established pattern—watch for official DNR announcements in late April. Veterans should mark May 23-25 and November 11 for their free admission days. The most significant change for 2026 is the $50 nonresident annual pass (up 32% from previous pricing), making the library pass program and free admission days even more valuable for out-of-state visitors.