Contact: Chris Pedretti, DNR Business Operations Section Supervisor
Christopher.Pedretti@wisconsin.gov or 608-572-5338
DNR Now Accepting Entries For 2026 State Park And Forest 12-Month Vehicle Admission Pass
Design Contest Open To High School Students Across Wisconsin
Entries can be submitted through April 30.
Photo credit: iStock/AJ_Watt
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting artwork entries from high school students for the 2026 12-month Wisconsin state park and forest vehicle admission pass.
The annual DNR-sponsored design contest is open to all high school-age students in Wisconsin who attend public, private and parochial schools or are homeschooled. Artwork entries should focus on outdoor recreation, animals or plants in Wisconsin.
"With the transition to a 12-month admission pass format, we’re excited to see what inspiration and creativity is generated by high schoolers across the state. This is a great opportunity for students to blend their artistic passion and interest in our natural resources," said Steve Schmelzer, Parks and Recreation Management Bureau director. "We are grateful for all of the students who submit artwork. It’s always a pleasure to see the entries, and it’s never an easy choice to pick just one design."
The vehicle admission passes provide access to more than 60 state park, forest and recreation area properties across Wisconsin. All motor vehicles entering state parks and recreation areas must have a vehicle admission pass. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a pass.
Materials for the 2026 sticker design contest are now available, and students can submit entries through April 30, 2025.
Rules, submission guidelines, tips for a winning design and past sticker design winners are available on the DNR’s State Park Pass Design Contest webpage.
