Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 45.12

Current through October 28, 2024
Section NR 45.12 - Fees and charges
(1) ADMISSION FEES.
(a) No person may operate or park any motor vehicle or trailer or semitrailer in any property listed in pars. (b) and (bm) unless the vehicle displays a vehicle admission receipt in the manner specified in s. 27.01 (7) (e), Stats., except as specified in par. (f) and s. 27.01 (7) (c), Stats.
(b) The following state forest areas, and those areas designated as fee areas by posted notice, are designated by the department as vehicle admission areas from January 1 to December 31:
1. Black River state forest:
a. Castle Mound campground and picnic area
b. East Fork campground and picnic area
c. Pigeon Creek campground and picnic area
e. East Fork indoor group camp and parking area
f. East Fork group camp
2. Brule River state forest:
a. Copper Range campground
b. Bois Brule campground and picnic area
3. Flambeau River state forest:
a. Connors Lake campground
b. Connors Lake picnic area
c. Lake of the Pines campground
4. Kettle Moraine state forest - northern unit:
a. Long Lake area
b. Mauthe Lake area
c. Greenbush group camp
d. New Prospect bridle trail camp area
e. Zillmer trail parking area
f. Butler Lake parking area
g. Parnell tower parking area
h. Greenbush picnic and ski parking areas
i. Highway 28 glacial trail parking area
j. Highway 28 snowmobile and horse trail parking area
k. Highway SS snowmobile parking area
L. New Fane trail parking area.
m. Highway H snowmobile and horse trail parking area.
n. Highway P Ice Age Trail parking area
o. Shelter 5 parking area
p. Highway S Bridle Trail parking area
q. Highway U Dog Training parking area
r. Greenbush Kettle parking area
s. Kellings Lake Dog Training parking area
t. Crooked Lake boat access area parking
u. Auburn Lake boat access area parking
v. Lake Seven boat access area parking
w. Little Mud Lake picnic parking area
x. Spruce Lake Bog parking area
y. Highway H Ice Age Trail parking area
z. Youth Camp Road Bridle Trail parking area
za. Highway 67 Bridle Trail parking area
zb. Forest Lake access
5. Kettle Moraine state forest - southern unit:
a. Whitewater area
b. Ottawa Lake area
c. McMiller Sports Center for non-shooters
d. Ottawa field trial grounds
e. Horseriders campground
f. Pine Woods camp area
g. Scuppernong picnic and hiking trail area
h. Scuppernong Springs nature trail parking area
i. Emma Carlin trail parking area
j. Nordic and John Muir trail parking areas
k. Ottawa trail parking area
L. Eagle - Palmyra trail parking areas
n. D.J. Mackie picnic area
o. Hickory Woods group camp
p. Paradise Springs
q. Highway 67 wayside
r. Eagle Dog Trial Grounds
s. Stute Springs nature trail parking area
t. Blackhawk (Hwy 12) parking area
u. Lone Tree Bluff nature trail parking area
v. Bald Bluff nature trail parking area
6. Kettle Moraine state forest - Lapham Peak unit
7. Northern Highland state forest:
a. Big Lake campground
b. Buffalo Lake campground
c. Carroll Lake campground
d. Clear Lake campground
e. Crystal Lake campground, beach and picnic area
f. Cunard Lake campground
g. Firefly Lake campground
h. Indian Mounds campground
i. Jag Lake group campground
j. Muskie Lake standard and group campground
k. Plum Lake campground
L. Razorback Lake campground
m. Sandy Beach Lake campground
n. Star Lake campground
o. Starrett Lake campground
p. Trout Lake campground - north and south
q. Upper Gresham Lake campground
8. Governor Knowles state forest:
a. St. Croix campground
b. Trade River horse campground
c. Trade River day use area
d. Trade River overflow lot
e. Brandt Pines recreational trail system parking lot
f. Sioux Portage group campground
9. Governor Earl Peshtigo River state forest:
a. Old Veteran's Lake campground
10. Point Beach state forest
11. Kettle Moraine state forest - Pike Lake unit
(bm) The following state parks, recreation areas, forest recreation areas and state natural areas are designated by the department as areas in which vehicle admission receipts are required, except as otherwise provided, from January 1 through December 31:
1. Governor Dodge state park
2. Pattison state park
3. Mirror Lake state park
4. Perrot state park
5. Interstate park
6. Wildcat Mountain state park
7. Willow River state park
8. Richard Bong state recreation area
9. High Cliff state park
10. Peninsula state park
11. Potawatomi state park
12. Terry Andrae state park
13. John M. Kohler state park
14. Hartman Creek state park
15. Devil's Lake state park
16. Big Foot Beach state park
18. Wyalusing state park
20. Lake Kegonsa state park
21. Lake Wissota state park
23. Yellowstone Lake state park
24. Newport state park
25. Blue Mound state park
26. Copper Falls state park
27. Council Grounds state park
28. Harrington Beach state park
29. Merrick state park
30. Whitefish Dunes state park
31. Governor Nelson state park
35. Chippewa Moraine state recreation area
36. Rib Mountain state park
37. Amnicon Falls state park
38. Big Bay state park
39. Cadiz Springs state recreation area
40. Brunet Island state park
41. Buckhorn state park
42. Kinnickinnic state park
43. Natural Bridge state park
44. Nelson Dewey state park
45. New Glarus Woods state park
46. Roche-A-Cri state park
47. Rocky Arbor state park
48. Tower Hill state park
49. Governor Knowles state forest - St. Croix campground
50. Capital Springs Centennial state park and recreation area
51. Governor Thompson state park
52. Mill Bluff state park
53. Aztalan state park
54. Parfrey's Glen state natural area
55. Dells of the Wisconsin River state natural area
56. Straight Lake state park
57. Menominee River state recreation area
58. Glacial Drumlin state trail - Sandhill Station
59. Lizard Mound state park
60. Sauk Prairie state recreation area
61. Lower Wisconsin state riverway - Mazomanie day use area
62. Lower Wisconsin state riverway - Blackhawk Ridge day use area
63. Rock Island state park - Jackson Harbor parking lot
64. Pewits Nest state natural area
(c) The following areas are determined by the department as properties in which vehicle admission receipts are not required:
1. State trails
4. Lost Dauphin state park
5. Lakeshore state park
6. Peninsula state park golf course (May 1 through October 31); applies to golfers and clubhouse patrons only
7. Cross Plains state park
8. Heritage Hill state park
9. Havenwoods state forest
10. Copper Culture state park
11. Rib Mountain state park leased area
(f) Admission fees shall be waived at all state parks, state recreation areas, and state forest vehicle admission areas as follows:
2. Persons with disabilities and their personal care attendants brought by a nonprofit organization recognized by the internal revenue service under 26 USC 501 (c) (1) or (3) whose primary purpose is the improvement of the mental or physical health of the individual. Applications on department forms for the fee waiver shall be received by the property for which the fee waiver is sought along with proof of nonprofit status at least 7 days prior to arrival.

Note: A copy of the form may be obtained from state park and forest offices.

4. For vehicles in which persons are picking up or dropping off juvenile group campers.
5. Any vehicle, when trailered or towed into the property if the vehicle is not operated on the property.
6. Motor-powered hang gliders flown or trailered into the property for operation in the special use zone of the Richard Bong state recreation area.
(2) CAMPING FEES. No person may use any facility, land or area for which a fee or charge has been established by the department without payment of the fee or charge as listed in the following schedule. All fees under this subsection include state sales tax except for juvenile group camping, and juvenile and adult group camping at the north shore campgrounds in Devil's Lake state park.
(a)Camping. The fees for camping are established in s. 27.01 (10), Stats.
1. Campgrounds in state parks, southern forests, northern forests and recreation areas, and on state trails are type "A" campgrounds.
3. Kinnickinnic sand delta - overnight boat mooring $15.00 per boat per day.
(b)
2. Firewood Not less than $3.00 per bundle
3. Additional standard camping fees for Type "A" campgrounds in the state parks, southern state forests and northern state forests.
4. Additional camping fees may be charged for waterview campsites not to exceed $5.00 per night for type "A" campgrounds.
5. Based on local market conditions, additional camping fees of $3.00 per campsite per night shall be charged at the following campgrounds:
a. Devil's Lake state park
b. Kohler-Andrae state park
c. Mirror Lake state park
d. Peninsula state park
e. Big Bay state park
f. Point Beach state forest
g. Willow River state park
h. Hartman Creek state park
i. Copper Falls state park
j. Council Grounds state park
k. Governor Dodge state park
L. High Cliff state park
m. Newport state park
n. Pattison state park
o. Potawatomi state park
p. Rock Island State Park
q. Crystal Lake, Clear Lake, Firefly Lake and Muskie Lake campgrounds within the Northern Highland - American Legion state forest.
(c) Group camping (group campgrounds)
1. Outdoor group camping
a. Group sites with a capacity of 1 to 20 persons $50.00 per night
b. Each additional interval of 10 or part thereof $20.00 per night
c. Minimum per group per night $50.00 per night
d. Maximum per group per night $300 per night
e. Outdoor group campsites with electricity will charge an additional $20 per electric pedestal provided
3. Group camps (buildings)
a. Black River state forest $100 per night
b. Wyalusing state park $500 minimum per group per day.
c. Point Beach state forest $100 per night.
(d) All reservation, standard, and outdoor group camping fees are waived for persons with disabilities and their personal care attendants brought by a nonprofit organization recognized by the internal revenue service under 26 USC 501 (c) (1), (3) or (4) whose primary purpose is the improvement of the mental or physical health of the individual. The nonprofit organization shall apply to the department on the required fee waiver request form prior to arrival at the property for which the fee waiver is sought. Memorial Day through Labor Day, fee waiver approvals may only be granted for Sunday through Thursday nights, and only with a prior camping reservation.

Note: The fee waiver request form is available at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/doclink/forms/2500-113.pdf.

(3) TRAIL FEES.
(a) No person 16 years of age or older, except pedestrians, snowmobile riders, all-terrain vehicle riders, or utility-terrain vehicle riders may use trails posted pursuant to par. (b) unless the person has in his or her possession a valid state trail pass.
(b) State trails and trails on other department lands on which a state trail pass is required shall be designated by the department with markers or signs.
(c) The state trail pass system consists of daily and annual fees established in s. 27.01 (8) (c), Stats.
(d) State trail passes are not transferable.
(e) A person subject to par. (a) shall exhibit proof of a valid state trail pass to the department or law enforcement on demand.
(4) OTHER FEES. No person may use any facility, land or area for which a fee or charge has been established by the department without payment of such fee or charge as listed in the following schedule: The fees listed in this subsection include the state sales tax.
(a) Blue Mound state park swimming pool
1. Age 18 and older $4.00 per day or $55.00 per year for a season pass
2. Age 2 - 17 $3.00 per day or $40.00 per year for a season pass
3. Under age 2 No fee
4. Special programs as established by the department
(b) McMiller sports center, when operated by the department.
1. Pistol range $5.00 per hour
2. 100 yard range $5.00 per hour
3. Plinking range $5.00 per hour
4. Archery range $5.00 per hour
5. Shotgun trap range $5.00 per round of 25 shots
6. Shotgun patterning range $5.00 per 5 targets
7. Organized matches $100 per group per day
8. Hunter safety course $1.00 per hour
(c) No person may use any concession or area without payment of applicable fees or charges established under contract between the department and concessionaire.
(d) Admission fees under s. 27.01 (9), Stats.
(f)Richard Bong state recreation area.
1. 'Special use zone.' The zone shall be available to groups for special events by reservation for $25.00 per event. The reservation fee is nonrefundable.
2. 'Hunting zone.' A vehicle admission sticker, hunting and trapping license as well as hunting and trapping administrative fees are required for hunting and trapping in the Richard Bong state recreation area.
a. Pheasant hunting $12.00 per person each day for adults and $7.00 per person who is age 17 or younger. In the event pheasant stocking cannot be done on the previous day or days, the pheasant hunting fee will be $5.00 per person each day.
b. All other hunting $1.00/person/day
c. Trapping $10.00 per season
d. Administrative fee. A hunting administrative fee of $3.00 shall be paid at the time the reservation is requested and is non-refundable once the reservation is confirmed.
(g) The department may grant building, shelter and picnic area reservations and shall upon request provide a list of parks and forests where reservations are accepted. Fees for building, shelter, picnic area, auditorium, sports center and other reservable facilities such as classrooms, meeting rooms, amphitheaters, overlooks, boat mooring areas, and yurts to be established by the department. Reservations may be accepted up to 11 months in advance of the rental date. Cancellation penalties established by the department may include a non-refundable reservation fee, cancel fee, and non-refundable portion or totality of the rental fee. Upon occupancy of the facility, the reservation becomes a permit. Reservations may be issued at any time prior to occupancy.
(h) Visitors using areas posted subject to self-registration requirements for either vehicle admission stickers, trail passes, mooring fees or camping fees shall pay an additional $5.00 registration fee if they fail to properly self-register or pay at the park office.
(i) Use of dump station for non-registered campers $10.00, in addition to park sticker.
(j) The department may charge participants of department sponsored special events or programs a fee sufficient to cover the cost of providing the program.
(L) The department may determine and charge a fee for special property use that includes a base fee plus the actual costs to the department that are anticipated as a result of the use. In determining the base fee and costs, the department may consider impacts including but not limited to all of the following:
1. The number of participants or spectators anticipated for the use.
2. Additional department staff time required as a result of the use.
3. Additional maintenance of the property required as a result of the use.
4. Additional services provided by the department.
(4m) DAMAGE TO DEPARTMENT PROPERTY. In addition to the fees established in this section, the department may require a person or organization to compensate the department for, or to restore to the satisfaction of the department, a natural resource or department property that is damaged during that person or organization's period of occupancy or visitation. Permit holders are responsible for notifying department personnel of existing damage to department property upon arrival and may be held liable for any damages not reported.
(5) EXCEPTIONS. This section does not apply to department lands under lease or agreement which provides otherwise. No person may use any facilities without proper payment of appropriate fees established by a lessee or contractor.

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 45.12

Am. (1) (a), (c) (intro.) and (d) (intro.), Register, November, 1998, No. 515, eff. 1-1-99; am. (2) (a) 1. n., Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; CR 01-011: am. (1) (b) 2. b. and (c) 6., cr. (1) (b) 2. e. and f., r. (1) (c) 5. Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: am. (1) (a), (d) 8., 22. and (2) (b) 1., (2) (c) 1. a. to c. and 3. a. and b., (2) (d), (3) (b) and (c), (4) (a) 1. and 2., (e), (f) 2. and (h), cr. (1) (b) 5. n. to zb., 6. q. to v., (d) 50. to 53., (2) (b) 4., (c) 3. c. and (4) (k), renum. (1) (b) 6m., 7. and 8. to be (1) (b) 7. to 9., r. (1) (c) 2., r. and recr. (2) (a) 1. and 2., Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04, except (2) (a) 1. and 2., (b) 1., 4., (c) 1. a. to c. and 3. a. to c., eff. 3-1-04; CR 04-092: am. (1) (b) 1. e. and 8. o., (2) (a) 1., 2. and (b) 3., (3), (4) (g) 1., 2. and (h), cr. (1) (b) 1. g., (2) (b) 5., (c) 1. e. and (3) (d) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05, except (2) (b) 5., (c) 1. e. and (4) (g) 1. and 2. are eff. 8-1-05; CR 07-026: cr. (1) (b) 10., am. (2) (b) 3., 5., (3) (c) 1., (4) (g) 6., r. and recr. (4) (g) 7. Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-042: cr. (1) (d) 54., (2) (b) 5. p., q. and (c) 5., am. (1) (d) (intro.), 51., (2) (a) 1., (b) 3., 4., (c) 3. b. and (4) (k), r. (1) (b) 1., (f) 1., (2) (a) 2., (c) 2. and 4., renum. (1) (b) 2. to 10. to be (1) (b) 1. to 9. and am. (1) (b) 7. and 8. Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 13-021: am. (4) (f) 2. a. Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13.
Amended by, CR 16-007: am. (1) (b) 1. f., 7. d., m., cr. (1) (d) 55. to 58., r. and recr. (4) (a) 1. to 3., am. (4) (g) 2. a., b., (i), cr. (L) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8/1/2017
Amended by, correction in (History), (Note) [Removed] made under s. 13.92(4) (b)., Stats.,Register August 2017 No. 740, eff. 9/1/2017
Amended by, CR 23-060: am. (1) (a), (b) (intro.), r. (1) (b) 1. d., am. (1) (b) 7. j., cr. (1) (b) 8. c. to f., am. (1) (b) 9. (intro.), a., cr. (1) (b) 10., 11., cr. (1) (bm) 59. to 64., am. (1) (c) (intro.), 4., cr. (1) (c) 5., am. (1) (c) 7. to 11., r. (1) (c) 12., renum. (1) (d) (intro.) and 1. to 16. to (1) (bm) (intro.) and 1. to 16., r. (1) (d) 17., renum. (1) (d) 18. to (1) (bm) 18., r. (1) (d) 19., renum. (1) (d) 20., 21. to (1) (bm) 20., 21., r. (1) (d) 22., renum. (1) (d) 23. to 55., 57., 58.. to (1) (bm) 23. to 55., 57., 58.. and am. 39., 55., 58., am. (1) (f) 5., cr. (1) (f) 6., r. (2) (b) (intro.), 1., am. (2) (b) 2., 3., (c) 1. (intro.), a., c., e., 3. a. to c.,. r. (2) (c) 5., am. (2) (d), (3) (a), renum. (3) (c) (intro.) to (3) (c) and am., r. (3) (c) 1., 2., cr. (3) (e), am. (4) (a) 1., 2., r. (4) (e), renum. (4) (g) (intro.) to (4) (g) and am., r. (4) (g) 1. to 7., (k), am. (4) (L) (intro.), subds. 1. to 3., cr. (4m), (5) (title) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24; s. 35.17 correction in (1) (a), (b) 6., 8. (intro.), (2) (d), correction in (1) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7, and renum. (1) (d) 56. to (1) (bm) 56. under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1, Stats., Register July 29 No. 823, eff. 8/1/2024

For a complete history of s. NR 45.12 from January 1, 1984, through January 1, 2011, see the History note following s. NR 45.12 published in Register December 2010, No. 660.