Wisconsin's State Parks:

Wisconsin’s state parks serve as prominent destinations for both residents and visitors alike. Offering opportunities to explore forests, to paddle, or hike scenic trails, these parks collectively welcomed over 21 million guests in 2025. Visitor statistics demonstrates solid growth, with numbers climbing from 14.6 million in 2010 to 15.5 million in 2015. Parks are the backdrop for camping trips, outdoor adventures, and gatherings with friends and neighbors. From the striking cliffs of Devil’s Lake to the glacial topography of the Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin’s parks promote health, learning, and an economic engine, benefiting people of all ages.

There’s broad agreement among business leaders, legislators, and outdoor enthusiasts of every generation: investing in these natural spaces matters. Still, the ways people use and appreciate the parks are shifting as new generations come of age. This evolution affects how Wisconsin decides to fund and care for its park system.

The State of Funding: A Shared Challenge

Wisconsin allocates significantly less funding to its state parks than neighboring Michigan and Minnesota, despite having comparable park system sizes. In 2025, Wisconsin provided $25 million for its state parks operations, placing it last nationally in state funding per park visitor at 75 cents a visit. By contrast, Minnesota (over $70 million annually) and Michigan (over $80 million annually) draw upon a variety of stable revenue sources, including dedicated funds, general tax contributions, and user fees. Wisconsin, however, has removed general tax support and now depends almost exclusively on user fees and limited grants.

Even though support for parks is strong, the money hasn’t kept up with demand or upkeep. In 2015, Wisconsin stopped using general tax dollars for park operations and shifted almost all costs onto user fees, including vehicle stickers and camping permits. WI park funding relies mostly on fees; one of the few park systems in the country to do so. This creates pressure on park facilities and can make it unaffordable for some and unsafe for others.

State Park Friends Groups

Because of this funding approach, maintenance has bottomed out, affecting roads, water systems, bridges, and buildings, with the backlog topping $1 billion. Groups like Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) point out that underfunding hasn’t made parks any less popular. Instead, it threatens the quality and safety that visitors expect, especially since park attendance remains high after the pandemic boom.

“There are over 65 Friends’ groups throughout Wisconsin, each affiliated with one of the 118 state parks, forests, trails, and recreational areas. Accumulatively, there are over 10,000 members,” according to FWSP Executive Director Seth Taft. “Every year, the Friends pursue grants such as the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks’ Incentive Grant. These funding sources help support projects, including trail maintenance and accessibility improvements. The Incentive Grant is often used to pay for limited-term employee naturalist wages. In 2025, nearly 50% of these monies went toward naturalist wages.” The Friends groups stepped up after some legislators used educators, scientists, and naturalists as political targets, creating challenges for the DNR in hiring them.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has become absolutely vital for funding Wisconsin’s state park infrastructure, especially as state support has dwindled. However, its future is threatened by ongoing political erraticism. As of press time, no Stewardship bill has been passed, putting at risk the essential repairs and upgrades needed to keep parks safe, accessible, and enjoyable for millions of visitors. Without adequate investment in the Stewardship Program, Wisconsin’s parks will face deteriorating facilities and diminished quality for all generations.

According to Taft, “Friends’ groups supply well over 250,000 hours of volunteer service each year. The hours are a testament to people’s understanding of what these spaces mean for local communities, tourism, and outdoor recreation.”

Parks Volunteerism

“One of the most common issues Friends’ groups faces is the need for volunteers, especially of a younger demographic,” according to Taft. “Questions often arise, “What can we do to recruit more help?” or “How can we get younger board members?” Several long-tenured individuals are feeling the burnout and want to pass the torch to the next generation, thereby bringing fresh ideas and energy. Younger individuals are often out of touch on issues facing Wisconsin’s public lands. One would think that the use of social media would be a valuable tool but constantly changing algorithms and differences across media channels make it difficult to navigate.”

Taft took a group of UW-Madison undergraduates on a hike last summer. They were all majoring in either journalism, political science, or environmental science. He described the current funding model, the increase in visitation, and the backlog of deferred maintenance projects. They were shocked and went into action mode, asking what they could do.

Generational Impacts

People appreciate parks for their health, educational, recreational, and economic benefits. With outdoor recreation generating billions of dollars for Wisconsin’s economy each year, the case for robust park funding is strong. Different generations may experience parks in their own ways, but everyone wants public lands that are safe, easily accessible, and well-maintained. Whether it’s a Gen Z camper seeking excitement, a Millennial family hiking, or a Boomer enjoying a bike trail, Wisconsin’s parks serve them all.

Gen Z: Outdoor Growth and Digital Values

Young adults in Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) are increasingly drawn to the outdoors. National surveys show that Gen Z leads all age groups in participation in outdoor sports. In 2024, Gen Z and Millennials made up 61% of new campers, marking a noticeable change in who’s heading outside. Gen Z campers spend roughly $266 a day—almost double what Boomers spend. Even though they have less disposable income, they’re willing to pay for better amenities and connectivity. Gen Z wants flexible plans, social interaction, and technology woven into their park visits. Can Wisconsin’s parks keep pace with these preferences? Probably not. Despite Gen Z’s frequent park visits, data shows they are less likely to advocate for parks.

Millennials and Gen X: The Core Outdoor Participants

Millennials (born 1981–1996) make up the largest portion of campers—about 40%—demonstrating their central role in Wisconsin’s outdoor culture. Gen X (born 1965–1980) also enjoys the parks, often juggling family responsibilities. Many Gen Xers care for both kids and elderly relatives, which can limit their time for recreation, but they still make a point of visiting parks and staying active outdoors.

Boomers: Steady but Less Active

Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964) have been a steady presence in state parks. While some Boomers are active in outdoor sports, overall participation is lower compared to younger generations. Many Boomers prefer easy hikes, paddling, biking, and wildlife watching. Their deep, lifelong connection to the parks makes them reliable supporters in funding and advocacy.

As members of the Boomer generation, my wife and I have always engaged in advocacy work. Whether it involves stewardship, wake boats, Pelican River Forest, or recent erratic national matters, we believe it’s our duty to keep decision makers informed about their constituents’ perspectives. In my role as Past President of the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, I’ve seen firsthand how infrastructure, staffing, and operations have deteriorated due to insufficient funding. Hundreds of maintenance projects, including roads, wells, and septic systems, need repair. The Kettle Moraine State Forest contains ninety buildings, all of which require upgrades or repairs. With millions of visitors each year, this popular recreational forest in Wisconsin faces mounting strain. The demand for events like skiing, running, biking, and adventure races is rising, creating new challenges for an understaffed property.

The Future-State Parks Director Steven Schmelzer

Wisconsin State Parks Director Steven Schmelzer follows the generational evolution of park users. While the Boomers have been the strongest advocates for parks, he sees the mantle being handed to younger users. “Advocacy is coming from a number of generations; many are stepping up to make their voice heard. And we are hopeful this pays off. This kind of engagement is crucial for ensuring our parks remain accessible and well-maintained for all.”

Park funding remains the critical issue as staff struggles to maintain an overtaxed system. “One of our main concerns is finding new ways to obtain revenue for the system. With the upcoming fall election, we’re guaranteed to have a new governor, which could impact our funding priorities. The needs for both day-to-day operations and capital development are high. Weekend camping is often full, and even during the week, we’re seeing steady demand. Our staff is doing their best to keep things running smoothly despite these pressures. Capital projects need to get funding. An example of this is at Tank Creek on the Mississippi River, where the bridge is closed due to a fire, blocking part of the Great River State Trail. There’s no funding available to address these issues. Also, we need over $1–2 million annually just for critical repairs, things like septic systems and water heaters. Without that funding, we may have to close facilities and trails,” Schmelzer explained.

Funding Matters Across Generations

To secure the future of Wisconsin’s parks and preserve their benefits for every generation, we must take action to restore robust, dependable funding. This means committing to a balanced approach that combines tax support, dedicated recreation revenue, and fair user fees to ensure our parks can respond to the unique needs of young people, families, and older adults. Without this investment, we risk losing the spaces that enrich our lives and drive Wisconsin’s economy. Now is the time to ensure our parks remain accessible, well-maintained, and welcoming for all; today and for generations to come.