Black River State Forest

Interpretive and Educational Programs

The Black River State Forest occasionally hosts interpretive programs for campers and the general public, especially during the summer. Everyone is welcome! Please check this page periodically for program schedules.

Programs are held in the shelter building at Castle Mound Campground, one mile south of Black River Falls on Hwy 12 East. For admission to the state forest, you must have a Wisconsin State Park and Forests vehicle admission sticker, or you can purchase a program pass for $3.00/vehicle at the entrance station. Pedestrians and bicyclists are admitted free-of-charge.

Events

May 9th - Friends of the Black River Annual Spring Paddle
Join the Friends of the Black River for a paddle along the scenic East Fork of the Black. The paddle begins at 12 Noon at the East Fork Bridge and has two different take out options. For more information please consult http://www.friendsoftheblackriver.org/news or call Andy at 715-896-4901 or send an email to info_fbr@yahoo.com.

June 5th - Where are the Whip-por-wills?
Join renowned birder Andy Paulios for a night walk through the state forest where you will listen for whip-por-wills, nighthawks, owls, woodcocks, and other birds of the night. The event is from 7:00 PM through 10:30 and is through the Natural Resources Foundation. Registration and a fee is required to attend this program. For more information and to register please visit the Natural Resource Foundation's website at www.wisconservation.org and click on their "field trips" link.

June 6th - Towering Trees and Northern Birds of the Ketchum Creek Pines State Natural Area
Regional Ecologist Armund Bartz will lead a trip through one of the property's four state natural areas. Large trees, a unique understory, and birds typically found only in northern Wisconsin will be amongst the highlights. This trip is from 9:30 to Noon and through the Natural Resources Foundation. Registration and a fee is required to attend this program. For more information and to register please visit the Natural Resource Foundation's website at www.wisconservation.org and click on their "field trips" link.

June 20 - What's That Tree?
Download poster [PDF, 567 KB]

June 13th - Friends of the Black River First Annual Mountain Bike Ride
Join the Friends at the Smrekar trail ride for an afternoon of mountain biking. A variety of trails are available for different experience levels. The event begins at 12:45 PM. For more information please consult http://www.friendsoftheblackriver.org/news or call Andy at 715-896-4901 or send an email to info_fbr@yahoo.com.

July 18th - Interpretive Hike
Join a naturalist from the Beaver Creek Reserve for an interpretive walk through one of the state forest's nature trails. More information is here [PDF, 650KB].

August 8th - Herpetiles
Join a naturalist from the Beaver Creek Reserve for an informative program on the state forest's reptiles and amphibians. More information is here [PDF, 650KB].

August 15 - Undiscovered "Prairies" of the Black River State Forest
Join Regional Ecologist Armund Bartz for a walk through Pine barrens, one of the Earth's most imperiled ecosystems. Learn what makes these natural communities so unique and why the Black River State Forest is one of the best places in the world to preserve this unique type. This event is from 9:30 AM to Noon and is through the Natural Resources Foundation. Registration and a fee is required to attend this program. For more information and to register please visit the Natural Resource Foundation's website at www.wisconservation.org and click on their "field trips" link.