Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Current Conditions

Conditions as of Thursday, June 4, 2009:

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• Trails and Recreation
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Camping
• Nature Center
• More Information

Trails and Recreation

Below is information for hiking, walking, jogging, dog walking, ATV/dirtbike, biking, and horseback riding trails at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. For the most current trail conditions, please call (262) 878-5600.

Hiking, Walking, Jogging

All trails are open with trail conditions being wet, muddy, and slippery in some limited areas.

ATV and Dirtbike Trails

ATV and dirtbike trails will be open depending on weather conditions or Special Use Zone events. Please call (262) 878-5600 for current availability.

Biking

Trails are open or closed depending on weather conditions, please call (262) 878-5600 for availability. A State Trail Pass is required for riding on the trails. If the trails are closed, you may ride on the paved roads at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Trail conditions this time of year are likely to be dry with some wet areas. Please ride responsibly to not degrade the trails.

Horseback Riding

Trails are open or closed on a daily basis, please call (262) 878-5600 for availability. A State Trail Pass is required for riding on the trails. If trails are closed, you may ride on the paved roads at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Trail conditions this time of year are likely to be wet and muddy in some low lying areas. Please ride responsibly to not degrade the trails. You are required to take any droppings and hay with you from the parking lots when you leave so the natural beauty of the park is not compromised.

Dog Walking

Trail conditions are dry with a few wet spots. Dogs are allowed to be walked on the paved roads and some hiking trails. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet at all times and under control. You are required to pick up after your dog.

The pet picnic area is open adjacent to Shelter #2.

Camping

The Sunrise Campground is open for the season, and 45 of these sites in the 100 and 200 loops have electrical hookups. Shower and flush restroom buildings are located in the 100 and 200 loops. Pit toilets, hand pumps and water bubblers are located through all loops. Richard Bong State Recreation Area also has 6 group sites that are open to accommodate your large group or family/friend gathering.

The Sunset Campground is open for the season. The Sunset Campground shower and flush restroom building is located at the junction of the 300 and 400 loops. Pit toilets and hand pumps are located through both loops.

Reservations for the 2009 season can be made by calling (888) 947-2757 or by visiting Reserve America [exit DNR].

The Accessible Cabin is open for the season. Very few dates are still available until September and October. See the Cabin Availability web page for information and available dates.

Camping Fees

Firewood is available at the property. Firewood is sold for $5 per bundle 5 - 8 p.m. Fridays, and 3 - 6 p.m. Saturdays. All proceeds are used for education and habitat restoration at Richard Bong. You may also ask for maps to local vendors when you arrive.

Firewood Notice: To help prevent the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer and other wood-borne insects, no firewood may be transported into the property or any other state park from more than 50 miles away or from quarantined areas.

Richard Bong State Recreation Area is currently looking for campground hosts for the summer. Please contact Annette Swanek, (262) 878-5611 for more information.

Nature

Birding has been very good at the park this year. Meadowlarks, bobolinks, brown thrashers, kingbirds, yellow warblers, and sandhill cranes seem more abundant than normal this year. Turtles are crossing the roads looking for nesting sites. Slow down while driving on the roads to avoid harming your state’s wildlife. May apples, shooting stars, prairie trillium, prairie phlox, and golden alexander are currently in bloom.

Upcoming Naturalist Programs [exit DNR]

Hunting

Hunters may not use rifles or pistols at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. A daily hunting permit is needed to hunt here. Get a permit at the Visitor Center or by completing a self registration form and depositing the $1 per day fee.

Richard Bong has bout 3,500 acres available for hunting. It is your responsibility to know the closed areas and refuge restrictions. Hunters may not enter onto private property for any reason without permission from the landowner. Target shooting and sighting-in firearms is prohibited. Hunters need to practice the four rules of firearm safety and remember that others are recreating here.

Seasons open at Richard Bong

• Coyote - open all year
• Opossum, skunk, weasel, and snowshoe hare - open all year

Please see hunting regulations and maps. Please check park regulations for opening and closing times.

It is your personal decision whether to use the park during hunting season. There has never been an injury of a non-hunter in the park due to hunting. No rifles or handguns are allowed for hunting, only shotguns and muzzleloaders. This lowers the chance of injury. However, if you are still uncomfortable you have several options. Wearing blaze orange will make you more visible. Parts of the horse trail and the hiking trail on the eastern end of the park are in the “No Hunting” area.

Fishing

Vern Wolf Lake experienced a winter kill and fishing is poor for pan fish at this time. The lake will possibly be restocked in early summer.

The Urban Fishing Pond has refilled after having the fishing piers installed. The urban pond is stocked with trout and open for the summer.

Fishing Regulations

More Information

The Beach House is open. Current beach water samples have all been very good so far this year. Wolf Lake water temperatures are colder than normal due to the cool spring weather.

The Wildlife Refuge water north of the Observation Deck has drained due to a failure of the water level control structure. Wildlife employees will use this as an opportunity to do habitat management along the shoreline and then repair the structure. The refuge water levels should return to normal in the spring of 2010.

Annual vehicle admission stickers for 2009 are available and are valid from date of purchase through December 31, 2009.

Weather [exit DNR]

Please call Richard Bong State Recreation Area, (262) 878-5600, for daily updates of open/closed trails and other information.