With early sunsets and cold weather, Wisconsin winter can be a time when most people want nothing more than to hibernate.
But one way to beat the wintertime blues is to get active – even on the dark, cold nights. Candlelight hike and ski events can be a perfect way to do it.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers a list of upcoming candlelight events in 2026. Many of the events are weather-dependent, so anyone interested in attending should check park websites closer to the event.
Vehicle admission passes are required on any state park land. Annual 12-month passes are available for vehicles with Wisconsin license plates for $28, or $13 or any residents 65 or older. Daily passes for guests with Wisconsin plates are $13, while out-of-state daily passes are $30. Out-of-state guests can purchase an annual pass for $50.
Passes can be purchased online or in-person at state park kiosks during office hours.
Jan. 3: Mirror Lake State Park Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3
Where: Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Road, Baraboo
What: This family-friendly event will be hosted at the beach picnic area. Two easy 1-mile trails will be lit by torches; one trail will be available to cross-country skiers, and the other will be available for everyone else to hike, snowshoe or pull sleds. Refreshments will be available to enjoy around a bonfire.
Jan. 10: Wildcat Mountain Candlelight Hike & Ski
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10
Where: Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 State 33, Ontario
What: Attendees can hike, snowshoe or ski a 1.5-mile trail lit by torches, and warm by a bonfire and stargaze. From 5 to 7 p.m., a stargazing activity will be hosted by John Heasley of Driftless Stargazing, weather permitting. Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars. Refreshments will be available.
Jan. 10: Rib Mountain State Park Candlelight Snowshoe Hike
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10
Where: Rib Mountain State Park Friends Gathering Space, 149801 State Park Road, Wausau
What: The snowshoe hike will begin at the Friends Gathering Space just past the park office. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes, although some will be available to borrow, as well as flashlights and headlamps. Hot chocolate, hot cider and other goodies, as well as marshmallows for roasting, will be available.
Jan. 17: Candlelight Hike & Ski at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17
Where: Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit Nordic Skiing & Hiking Trails, N9084 County H, Whitewater
What: Hiking and skiing is open along trails aglow with 450 candle luminaries. For the event only, leashed dogs are permitted on the trails. Chili and hot chocolate will be available for purchase, with all sales going toward Friends of Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. Charcoal and bonfires will also be available for attendees looking to cook out.
Jan. 31: Brule River State Forest Afterhours Candlelight Ski and Hike
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: Brule River State Forest Afterhours Ski Trail, 5750 S. Afterhours Road, Brule
What: This annual event offers a 5K ski and a 1K hike. Coffee, tea, hot cocoa and apple cider will be provided to attendees. A grill will also be available, but no food will be provided. The event will be held rain or shine.
Feb. 1: Lake Wissota State Park Candlelight Event
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1
Where: Lake Wissota State Park, 18127 County O, Chippewa Falls
What: Two candlelit trails will be available to attendees – one groomed for skiing and the other for hiking and snowshoeing. Hot drinks will be available, with donations going to the Friends of Lake Wissota State Park. Campfires will be available for cooking, if attendees bring their own materials for hot dogs or s’mores. Pets aren’t allowed.
Feb. 7: Black River State Forest Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Hike
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: Black River State Forest, Smrekar Trail Head, N4170 Smrekar Road, Millston
What: Hosted by the Black River Forest Trail Foundation and Black River State Forest, this event will have 1.5 miles of ski trails and one mile of hiking/snowshoe trails lit with luminaries. Attendees will be able to warm up around a large bonfire or inside a heated shelter. Food and hot chocolate will be available. The event will be held rain or shine.
Feb. 7: Mirror Lake State Park Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Road, Baraboo
What: This family-friendly event will be hosted at the beach picnic area. Two easy 1-mile trails will be lit by torches; one trail will be available to cross-country skiers, and the other will be available for everyone else to hike, snowshoe or pull sleds. Refreshments will be available to enjoy around a bonfire.
Feb. 14: Candlelight Hike at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit Beach
When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Where: Pike Lake Unit Beach, 3250 Kettle Moraine Road, Hartford
What: This will be the Friends of Pike Lake’s 37th annual Candlelight Hike and fundraiser. More than 350 luminaries will light up about two miles of trail. Vehicles will need an admission pass to enter (annual 12-month pass or $10 special event day pass), in addition to a parking voucher, which are available free online at the Friends of Pike Lake Candlelight Hike webpage beginning Jan. 1. Parking vouchers are available for two time slots: 4-6 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to carpool.
Feb. 14: Valentines Day Candlelight Hike at Havenwoods State Forest
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Where: Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee
What: A 0.75-mile portion of trails will be illuminated by candlelight. Attendees will be able to warm up after hiking or snowshoeing with s’mores and hot cocoa. Guests can borrow snowshoes at the Nature Center if there’s enough snow. The event will be held rain or shine.
Feb. 14: Governor Thompson State Park Candlelight Hike & Ski
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Where: Governor Thompson State Park, N10008 Paust Lane, Crivitz
What: A 1-mile loop by Woods Lake, known as Otter Trail, will be groomed for hiking, snowshoeing and skiing, and lit with candles. Hot chocolate and baked goods will be provided by the Friends of Governor Thompson State Park, and warming fires will be available inside and outside of the shelter. The event will be held rain or shine. Parking is available at the Woods Lake Day Use Area.
Feb. 14: Newport State Park Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Where: Newport State Park, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay
What: This will be Newport State Park’s 36th Annual Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe event. Trails will be lit by candlelight, and a warm fire with hot cocoa and cookies will be available in the shelter building. The event will be held with or without adequate snow for skiing. Only extreme cold temperatures or unsafe trail conditions would cancel the event.
Feb. 14: Rib Mountain State Park Candlelight Snowshoe Hike
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Where: Rib Mountain State Park Friends Gathering Space, 149801 State Park Road, Wausau
What: The snowshoe hike will begin at the Friends Gathering Space just past the park office. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes, although some will be available to borrow, as well as flashlights and headlamps. Hot chocolate, hot cider and other goodies, as well as marshmallows for roasting, will be available.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Check out these 2026 candlelight hikes at Wisconsin state parks
Reporting by Kelli Arseneau, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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