Special events and features at Buckhorn State Park

• Special events
• Naturalist programs
• Accessible facilities
• Give time or money
• Friends of Buckhorn State Park

Special Events

Special events are an annual feature at Buckhorn State Park. Search for Buckhorn on monthly pages of the statewide events calendar for details about these and other events at the park.

Photography Contest. Held at both Buckhorn and Roche-A-Cri State Parks. Runs from October 1 through September 30 the following year. The categories are wildlife, plants, people using the park, youth (photographer must be under 18 years old) and an open category. Ask park staff for contest information sheet.

Summer Candlelight Hike. Hike a park trail lit by torches and attend an interpretive presentation. This event takes place in July or August.

Naturalist Programs

The goal of the interpretive program is to help visitors learn more about nature in the park. Hikes, evening programs, beach programs, displays and roving contacts are among the tools our park staff or volunteers use to reach this goal. Check out the Get Outdoors Wisconsin! program.

Activities are designed for visitors of all ages and are fun as well as educational.
DNR Photo

Guest speakers present programs in the park. See program schedules posted around the park or ask for a copy at the office. Visit the park office to see interpretive wildlife mounts and exhibits or do craft activities in the interpretive room.

Check out a Fish Pack, forest pack, Take Smokey Camping pack, or interpretive guidebook from the park office.

Amphitheater

An amphitheater with benches is along the shoreline between the beach and south picnic areas. An accessible path is lighted for evening programs.

Two fire rings are available, one on each side of the amphitheater. The Friends of Buckhorn completed this project.

Accessible Facilities

The North Picnic Area is fully accessible to mobility-impaired visitors. Asphalt paths lead to the shelter, toilets and picnic grills. Accessible picnic tables can be found at the shelter and the beach picnic area.

An accessible cabin that can accommodate six people is available for use by people with disabilities. Note: This cabin is for use exclusively by people whose physical disability makes use of traditional camping facilities very difficult or unlikely.

The accessible cabin is near an accessible fishing pier.
DNR Photo

Campsite 8 near the South Picnic Area is also accessible for people with disabilities and has an electrical hookup. A charcoal grill and fire ring are included on this site. An asphalt path provides a level surface to the parking lot, restroom and campsite. Visitors can reserve for this site throughout the season.

The park has an accessible two-story wildlife observation/hunting blind. There are also two accessible waterfowl hunting blinds.

The second accessible waterfowl blind was donated by the Telephone Pioneers of America. It is along the park road heading to the outdoor group camp. People with disabilities can reserve the blind a day before their hunting. If it is not reserved, anyone may use the blind.

Accessible Piers

The Boat Launch A area was renovated in spring 2008. The ramp area was redone and a floating boarding pier, accessible for people with disabilities, installed.

Boat Launch C also has an accessible pier. It is on the west side of the causeway bridge.

Give Time or Money to Help the State Park

If you enjoy Buckhorn State Park, you may want to express your appreciation through a gift of money, materials, equipment or volunteer services. Gifts help Wisconsin State Parks provide facilities and services that otherwise would not be possible.

Money may be placed in the donation box in the park office or mailed to:

Superintendent
Buckhorn State Park
W8450 Buckhorn Park Ave.
Necedah WI 54646-7338

or:

Bureau of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921

Money for projects also can be donated to the Friends of Buckhorn State Park.

If you enjoy camping and meeting people from all over the country, you may wish to become a volunteer campground host. As a host, you will receive free use of a campsite in exchange for helping campers, providing information about the park and surrounding area, and doing minor maintenance.

To get more information about the host program, to be a nature volunteer guide or do other work in the park, talk with the superintendent or submit a volunteer application. It could open the door to an unforgettable and rewarding experience in Wisconsin's wonderful outdoors.

Friends of Buckhorn State Park

The Friends of Buckhorn State Park work on park activities and special events. They raised funds for the accessible cabin, the savanna restoration project, stump removal in picnic areas, amphitheater, cold water rinse shower, two-stall unisex shower building, wildlife mounts, and the installation of electrical service to the south shelters, pit toilet and accessible campsite. They have worked with park staff in organizing and running the summer candlelight hike and the park photography contest. They sponsor the essay contest associated with the November Special Youth Deer Hunt and have a cooperative agreement with Country Cruisin Canoes to bring canoe and kayak rentals into the park. The friends group also donated funds for future construction of a flush toilet/shower building.

For more information about the Friends of Buckhorn State Park, any volunteer project, or Buckhorn State Park, please call 608-565-2789 or email Joe Stecker-Kochanski, Buckhorn / Roche-A-Cri State Parks