Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Current Conditions

Conditions as of Friday, January 29, 2010:

• Trails and Recreation
• Hunting
• Fishing, Boating and Swimming
• Camping
• Nature Center
• More Information

The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. seven days a week. Vehicle admission stickers are required and can be purchased at the Visitor Center. The entrance station is closed for the season.

Trails and Recreation

Richard Bong State Recreation Area has about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground. For the most current trail conditions, please call (262) 878-5600.

Winter Trails

Cross-Country Skiing: All trails south of County Highway BB are open to diagonal stride/classic skiing but are never groomed. Skiers do not need a state trail pass. All trails are also open to hikers. No dogs are allowed on these trails when they are snow-covered. Wolf Lake when ice-covered is open for skate skiers.

Snowshoeing: The trails north of County Highway BB (parking lot A) is open for snowshoeing. You may also snowshoe off-trail in any area of the park.

Hiking: All trails are open for hikers. No dogs are allowed on trails south of County Highway BB when the trails are snow covered. Hikers please be courteous and stay off all ski tracks.

Snowmobiling: Snowmobilers must have a park admission on their vehicle and may park and unload snowmobiles in the ATV/snowmobile unloading area near Shelter E. Snowmobiles are restricted to the connector trail that leads to the Kenosha County trail that runs parallel to State Highway 142 and Highway 75 to Highway X. Please note: Snowmobiles and other vehicles are not allowed on Wolf Lake or in any other area of the park, including the hiking trails.

Parking lots A and E are open but not plowed.

Dog Walking

Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet and under control at all times. When trails are snow-covered, dogs are restricted to Rhodes Road, trails north of Hwy BB (near parking Lot A), and service roads. You are required to pick up after your dog. The pet picnic area adjacent to Shelter #2 is open.

Hiking, Walking, Jogging

All trails are open.

ATV and Dirtbike Trails

ATV and dirtbike trails will be closed until June 2010.

ATV and Dirtbike Rules [exit DNR]

Biking

Trails are open depending on trail conditions, please call (262) 878-5600 for availability. A State Trail Pass is required for riders ages 16 and up riding on the trails. If the trails are closed, you may ride on the paved roads. Please ride responsibly to not degrade the trails.

Horseback Riding

Trails are open depending on trail conditions, please call (262) 878-5600 for availability. A State Trail Pass is required for riders ages 16 and up riding on the trails. If trails are closed, you may ride on the paved roads at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. 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.

Camping

Our campground is closed for the season and will reopen March 12, 2010. All water to the campgrounds and dump station is turned off for the season.

For those who wish to camp with horses, campsites 413, 415, 417, 419 and 421 in the Sunset campground have hitching posts in them. Between March 12 and May 28, and again between September 7 and December 13, when the Sunset campground is closed, three campsites will be opened at Lot E to accommodate early and late season horse campers.

Camping reservations can be made by calling (888) 947-2757 or by visiting Reserve America [exit DNR].

The Accessible Cabin is closed for the season.

Camping Fees

Firewood is available nearby. You may ask for maps to local vendors when you arrive.

Firewood Notice: Any firewood brought in from more than 50 miles away or from a quarantined area [PDF, 102KB] or from out of state will be confiscated due to the potential of carrying harmful emerald ash borers [exit DNR]. Kenosha County is currently under a quarantine, no wood may be taken from here to another county.

Nature

The wildlife refuge water north of the observation platform has drained due to a failure of the water control structure. We will use this opportunity to improve habitat before repairing the structure. The Friends group is currently accepting tax-deductible donations for the $60,000 restoration project.

Northern shrikes, rough-legged hawks and harriers are still being seen. Short-eared owls have not been reported in this new year. A flock of bluebirds are being seen, as are waxwings and several over-wintering yellow-rumped warblers. Check the clumps of cedars near the entrance station or parking lot A. Chickadees began territorial calls. Great Horned Owls are on the nest, and they, as well as the screech owls and coyotes, are vocal at night.

Upcoming Naturalist Programs [exit DNR]

Hunting

Please be aware that hunting is allowed on this property. It is your personal decision whether or not to use the park during hunting seasons. 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 muzzle loaders. 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 southeastern end of the park are in the “No Hunting” area.

Please see hunting regulations and maps. Please check park regulations for opening and closing times. Check with the office as well, our times may differ from the regulations.

Hunters may not use rifles or pistols at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. A daily hunting permit is needed to hunt on the property.

Pheasant stocking ended on November 28. Armbands cost $1 for any remaining pheasants. Daily hunting for any other species is also $1.

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.

Hunting Seasons at Richard Bong:

• Squirrel - opens September 12 and closes January 31, 2010
• Rabbit – opens October 17 and closes February 28, 2010
• Crow – opens January 25 and closes March 20
• Coyote - open all year

Fishing, Boating and Swimming

People have been successful in catching northerns and pan fish. We do not check ice conditions, please use caution when ice fishing.

Ice shanties are allowed on Wolf Lake.

Fishing Regulations

The bathhouse at the beach is closed for the season.

Gas powered motors may not be used at Richard Bong State Recreation Area.

More Information

Annual vehicle admission stickers for 2010 are now available and are valid from date of purchase through December 31, 2010.

Weather [exit DNR]

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

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