OUTWIGO_Content Page_OutWiGo Green

OutWiGo Green

OutWiGo GreenSave the date for OutWiGo Green! This special event will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Ottawa Lake in Wisconsin's beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit.

Event Overview

OutWiGo Green - Save the Date Poster [PDF]

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join Wisconsin State Park staff and friends for a day of adventure, learning and celebrating outdoors. OutWiGo Green is a unique outdoor recreation and conservation event in Wisconsin's beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit. From group hikes, bike rides, paddling, rock climbing, nature crafts and more, this fun day is fit for OutWiGo-Getters of all ages, experience levels and abilities. Bring friends and family, or fly solo.

Event Details

Event Fee

Event Fee

Admission to the event is $5 per adult ages 18 and older. Participants under 18 are admitted at no cost. Participants will receive an OutWiGo Green wristband. This fee helps us cover some of the costs of putting on this event.

A vehicle admission sticker is required on all vehicles entering the state forest. If you do not already have an annual vehicle admission sticker, you can purchase a $5-day pass for your vehicle for this event. If you want to buy a yearly sticker in advance, please see the vehicle admission sticker webpage.

Starting May 6, 2023, event wristbands will be available to purchase at the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area visitor stations, Scuppernong Trailhead, John Muir Trail System and Lapham Peak near Delafield. Buying your wristband and vehicle admission sticker in advance will save you time on the event day and give you more time to check out activities!

Some activities require pre-registration and may charge a fee. At the John Muir Trail System, the state trail pass fee will be waived with an OutWiGo Green wristband.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local food trucks.

Event Locations

Event Locations

OutWiGo Green will be held at four primary locations within the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit. Attendees are encouraged to start at the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area, but you may stop at any of these locations. A free shuttle will take you between the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area, Scuppernong Trailhead and Ottawa Field Trial Grounds. There is no shuttle to the John Muir Trail System.

Ottawa Lake Recreation Area
Physical Address: S59 W36630, County Rd ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118.

Scuppernong Trailhead
About 1 mile east of Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. Physical Address: S58 W35820 County ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118.

Ottawa Field Trial Grounds
About 1 mile north of Ottawa Lake Recreation Area on Hwy. 67. 

John Muir Trail System
About 12 miles southeast of Ottawa Lake Recreation Area (5 miles south of Palmyra on Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive). Physical Address: N9097 County Rd. H, Whitewater, WI 53190.  

To orient yourself in the forest, see the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit property map [PDF].

Event Schedule

Event Schedule

OutWiGo Green events kick off at 10 a.m.

Other events happening in the forest on May 13

Trailtessa Be ADVENTUROUS: Introduction to Camping for Women. If you've wanted to dip your toe into the world of camping but don't know where to start, join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for this retreat weekend at the Ottawa Lake Campground. As you set up your tent and cook meals with intrepid camping novices, you'll gain confidence for future camping adventures. We'll create a great community space, including a camp lounge, trail mix bar and plenty of outdoor fun. You'll appreciate the opportunity to meet other women who like laughing at the moon's light and sleeping under the stars. Register through the Ice Age Trail Alliance website [exit DNR].

Wisconsin Mycological Society: Foray at KMSF - Southern Unit. The Wisconsin Mycological Society will teach the public and its members about fungi and their relationships with their environment. Meet at 10 a.m. at the DJ Mackie Picnic Area.

Activities

Activities

Check out the detailed activity list [PDF] for a complete list of exhibitors and activities.

*New! Check out the "Rosie" adaptive hiking device from Luke5Adventures at the Scuppernong Trail Head.

*New! Learn about Milwaukee water conservation from the Milwaukee Riverkeeper at Ottawa Lake Recreation Area.

Activities, clinics and demonstrations include:

  • 4-wheel drive vehicles
  • ATV rides
  • Adaptive sports
  • Archery
  • Astronomy
  • Backpacking
  • Bicycling
  • Birdwatching
  • Boat safety
  • Camping with tents, hammocks
  • Children's activities
  • Dog trialing
  • Falconry
  • Fire building
  • Fishing
  • Forest bathing
  • Geocaching
  • Hiking
  • Insect collection
  • Kayaking
  • Knot tying
  • Mountain biking
  • Music
  • Nature crafts
  • Nature photography
  • Off-highway motorcycles
  • Orienteering
  • Rock climbing
  • Stream ecology
  • Stand-up paddleboarding
  • Stop the Bleed training
  • Trail running
  • Trout fishing
Event Maps

Event Maps

 

Accessibility

Accessibility

This event is open to visitors of all abilities. Universally accessible activities and options will be provided throughout the day. Please see below. There is accessible parking at all event locations, and a free accessible shuttle will be providing transportation between event locations. Manual wheelchairs will be provided for free at the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area.

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to bring their mobility equipment. The DNR has several partners that provide outdoor mobility equipment, like outdoor track chairs, for free use. Check out our External Partner webpage for partner information and how to reserve your equipment.

Ottawa Lake Recreation Area
Physical Address: S59 W36630, County Rd ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118.

  • Ottawa Lake Recreation Area has a paved trail that connects the main features, including the campground, amphitheater, beach, fishing pier and boat launch. Manual wheelchairs will be provided for free use at Shelter B.
  • Wisconsin Bike Federation's Cycling Without Age program [exit DNR] brings the fantastic feeling of riding a bicycle to those who cannot pedal independently. Trishaw rides, lasting approximately 15 minutes, will be offered at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Visit the Wisconsin Bike Federation tent to sign up for a ride. Two people (not to exceed 400 lbs.) can ride together. Trishaws are three-wheeled, pedal-powered bikes operated by trained Cycling Without Age pilots.
  • Drop-in fishing clinics will be at the accessible Ottawa Lake fishing pier from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • An adaptive kayak and transfer bench will be available at the Ottawa Lake boat launch. The kayak features outriggers near the back of the kayak for increased water stability, a raised back with side supports and hand braces.
  • The Arc Dane County [exit DNR] provides a free "Fishing with Bob" casting clinic.
  • Stationary bird watching at the campground's accessible cabin campsite will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, led by Upham Woods Learning Center, with birding tools like binoculars (including a wheelchair mount for the binoculars) and iPads so that visitors can learn about birds by ear or by sight.
  • The campground's accessible cabin will be open to tour.
  • A limited supply of free sensory kits will be available from the Welcome Center at Shelter B.
  • Accessible toilets are provided. 

Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail
This trail is across the road from Ottawa Lake Recreation Area.

  • Portions of the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail are available for universal hikes with a crushed limestone surface.
  • Upham Woods and a DNR wildlife biologist will hold an accessible birding hike at this location at 1:30 p.m. Birding tools like binoculars (including a wheelchair mount for the binoculars) and iPads so that visitors can learn about birds by ear or by sight will be provided.

Scuppernong Trailhead
About 1 mile east of Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. Physical Address: S58 W35820 County ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118.

  • The Scuppernong Trails vary in difficulty, and several hike options and loops are planned for the event. The trails have a dirt and native surface, but portions are relatively steep and may be challenging to navigate depending on individual abilities.
  • A section of the horse trail is designated as the more accessible trail option. A 1-mile guided adaptive hike is scheduled at this trail at 2:30 p.m.
  • Mobility devices will be available at no charge. An outdoor track wheelchair will be available by Access Ability Wisconsin and two off-road TerrainHopper mobility vehicles will be provided by United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin (UCP of WCW) to be used on trails. The horse trail is suggested for this equipment if the operator is new to using the track wheelchair or TerrainHopper.
  • "Explore Nature's Good Company with Your Senses and Grow Your Awe" is a 30-minute accessible session led by Driftless Curiosity, Nature's Good Company and Unlimited Boundaries. This program will demonstrate how nature has a relationship with all humans. This session will be on the horse trail with a flat, natural surface. Mobility devices will be available to use for this activity. Join this nature immersion and see how it doesn't take a wilderness area for us to deeply connect with what is beautifully wild within and around us. This session will show many ways to engage with nature, so if one doesn't work for you, the next one will!
  • Accessible toilets are provided.

Ottawa Field Trial Grounds
About 1 mile north of Ottawa Lake Recreation Area on Hwy. 67. 

  • The hunting dog trialing is located next to the parking area. A significant slope leads from the parking area to the lower grounds where archery will be held.
  • The horse trail is relatively flat with a natural surface. It is 1.5 miles between the Field Trial Grounds and the Scuppernong Trailhead.
  • Accessible portable toilets are provided.
Weather

Weather

This event is planned to take place rain or shine; however, if rain creates unsafe or washout trail conditions, this event will be moved to Saturday, May 20, 2023. Notifications will be made 24 hours in advance through the Facebook event page, DNR's Facebook page and the OutWiGo Newsletter.  

Volunteering

Volunteering

Volunteers are needed for this event! Please email Janet Hutchens if you're interested in volunteering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - Know Before You Go

What should I bring? We recommend getting a sturdy pair of shoes, a hat and sunscreen, a bag for any goodies from our vendors, and otherwise, just a positive attitude! We encourage "being green" for this event. You can help by bringing a reusable water bottle and your utensils. Maps, schedules and event information are accessible using QR codes. We will not have paper handouts available. 

Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards and life jackets will be available for free use this day, but you may also bring your own! We will provide mountain bikes and helmets of varying sizes for the mountain biking skills course. You may also bring your mountain bike and helmet to ride the John Muir Trail System trails.

We will provide bows and arrows for the archery activity. Please do not bring your archery equipment.

What should I wear? We recommend wearing clothes you are comfortable being active in! A sturdy pair of shoes is vital for hiking and bicycling. If the weather is cool, consider dressing in layers. A hat and sunglasses will help you stay comfortable if the weather is sunny. If you're participating in mountain biking or trail running, you may work up a sweat; consider bringing a change of clothes. 

What is the ideal age range? All ages are invited! There are activities and events for children, adults and seniors.

Who's invited? Everyone! There are activities for all ages and abilities. Many of the activities will have universal accessibility options.

Are pets allowed? For the safety and comfort of all attendees, please leave your furry family members at home. Pets are not permitted at several event locations.

Do I need a car? Once you are at one of the event locations (Ottawa Lake Recreation Area, Scuppernong Trail Head or the Ottawa Field Trial Grounds), take a free shuttle from location to location.

Is there food? Yes, local food trucks will be available to purchase food. Water fountains are available.

Is there Wi-Fi available? There is no Wi-Fi network available. Cell phone service is available in several locations, but some drop zones exist in forest areas. Please review the schedule and maps beforehand. We suggest taking a photograph of the program schedule to have on your phone. We will not have printed copies of the program schedule or maps available. If you have questions, please see the event staff or volunteers.

Can I follow along on social media? Definitely! Use #OutWiGoGreen to share pictures and have fun! Join the Facebook event group in the weeks leading up to OutWiGo Green as additional details and partners are announced.

Partners

Partners

Here are some partners you can expect to see at OutWiGo Green!

  • Access Ability Wisconsin
  • Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs
  • Badger Orienteering Club
  • Badger Trails, Inc.
  • Bong Naturalist Association
  • Driftless Curiosity
  • Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail
  • Friends of Havenwoods State Forest
  • Friends of Lakeshore State Park
  • Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
  • Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin
  • Hike it Baby Southeast Wisconsin
  • Ice Age Trail Alliance 
  • Insect Ambassadors
  • Kettle Moraine Natural History Association
  • Luke5Adventures
  • Milwaukee Riverkeeper
  • Milwaukee Urban Trail Connectors
  • Master Falconer
  • Master Naturalists
  • Milwaukee Astronomical Society
  • Milwaukee Recreation
  • National Interscholastic Cycling Association
    (NICA)/GRiT (Girls Riding Together)
  • National Park Service
  • Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
  • Southeast Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
  • Southern Kettle Moraine Horse Trail Association
  • Southern Kettles Off-Road Riders
  • The Arc Dane County
  • Trail Sisters
  • Travel Wisconsin
  • Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
  • UCP of West Central Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin ATV Association
  • Wisconsin Bike Fed
  • Wisconsin Coalition of Four-Wheel Drives
  • Wisconsin DNR:
    • Air Management Program
    • Disabilities Advisory Council
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Green Tier
    • Hunter Education
    • MacKenzie Center
    • Mead Wildlife Area
    • Natural Heritage Conservation
    • Office of Communications
    • Snapshot Wisconsin
    • State Park Rangers
    • Storm Water Runoff
    • Water Resources
    • Wildlife Biology
    • Wildlife Management
    • Wisconsin State Park System
  • Wisconsin Geocaching Association
  • Wisconsin Horse Council
  • Wisconsin Off-Highway Motorcycle Association
  • Wisconsin Public Radio
  • Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
  • Zoological Society of Milwaukee
  • ...and local bike and gear shops, climbing gyms and guides, food trucks, photographers, and recreation, therapeutic and accessibility practitioners