TRAIL/PARK CONDITIONS:
Trails should be in good hiking condition. Sugar Maple Nature Trail and Sand Cave Trail were both opened in 2009, after being closed for more than 2 years due to heavy rains. Both trails were redesigned and should be more sustainable in the event of heavy rain. 
CAMPING AND RESERVATION INFORMATION: Homestead Campground is closed for the season. Wisconsin Ridge Campground is open for camping. Water fountains, the shower/flush building in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground and the dumping station are open. The concession stand will open this weekend. It will be open weekends only until Memorial Day Weekend. Starting on Friday, May 28, the concession stand will be open every day. Hours for May will be as follows: Fridays: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sundays: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Firewood, canoe and kayak rental, camp supplies, sweat shirts and tee shirts are available at the concession stand.Both Big Sand Cave and Little Sand Cave are now visible from Sand Cave Trail as well as Walnut Eddy on the Wisconsin River. Sentinel Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic trails at Wyalusing State Park. It can be accessed from Point Lookout and will follow the bluff all the way down to the Mississippi River (a drop of approximately 500 feet). Indian Mounds, nature labels, the Passenger Pigeon Monument and
Green Cloud Picnic Shelter(Left) are located on Sentinel Ridge Trail. An outstanding view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be seen from the Green Cloud Picnic Area and the Passenger Pigeon Monument. All roads are now open in the park. Bluff Trail to Treasure Cave is open. To reach Treasure Cave, take the walkway from Point Lookout (as you are looking at the confluence) to the right. Take a left down the trail to Bluff Trail (through the opening in the rocks). Treasure Cave is located on Bluff Trail just below Point Lookout.
Green Cloud Picnic Shelter(Left) are located on Sentinel Ridge Trail. An outstanding view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be seen from the Green Cloud Picnic Area and the Passenger Pigeon Monument. All roads are now open in the park. Bluff Trail to Treasure Cave is open. To reach Treasure Cave, take the walkway from Point Lookout (as you are looking at the confluence) to the right. Take a left down the trail to Bluff Trail (through the opening in the rocks). Treasure Cave is located on Bluff Trail just below Point Lookout.Reservations can be made 11 months in advance for reservations starting April 30, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Reservations must be made at least 2 days prior to the arrival date. Reservations can be made through Reserve America at 888-947-2757 or online at www.wiparks.net.
Effective immediately Because of the threat of the emerald ash borer and other harmful pests and diseases, no person may possess firewood that originates from greater than 50 miles from where the wood will be used, or from outside the borders of the state.Firewood includes all wood, processed or unprocessed, intended for use in a
campfire. Firewood purchased locally, but identified on the bundle as originating from out of state or greater than 50 miles from the property is not allowed. The emerald ash borer was found in both
Crawford and Vernon Counties in early 2009. Crawford County is adjacent to Grant County where Wyalusing State Park is located. Because of this, there is an additional quarantine on the movement of firewood from both Vernon and Crawford Counties, even though those counties may be less than 50 miles from the park. Please note, that Prairie du Chien is in Crawford County, so please do not bring firewood from Prairie du Chien, and Crawford or Vernon Counties. Spread the word and tell your friends and neighbors not to move firewood.
Please note that the perimeter for movement of firewood will decrease to a 25 mile radius in May. Spread the word and tell your friends and neighbors not to move firewood.
AREA BIRD SIGHTINGS: Many spring migrants returned Friday, April 30 after the afternoon storm went through. Early returning spring migrants include: fox sparrow, bluebirds, robins, killdeer, sand hill cranes, turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, pelicans, song sparrows, American woodcock, kestrels, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, chipping sparrow, rufous sided towhee. A few cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, gold finches, bluejays, juncos and nuthatches can still be found at the office bird feeders. New spring arrivals include: greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpipers, spotted sandpipers, yellow-billed cuckoo, common nighthawks, ruby-throated hummingbirds,
great crested flycatcher(Left), tree swallows, rough-winged swallows, barn swallows, brown creepers, house wren, blue-gray gnatcatcher, Swainson’s thrush, wood thrush, solitary vireo (blue-headed), yellow-throated vireo, warbling vireo, red-eyed vireo, blue-winged warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, yellow warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, black-throated green warbler, yellow-throated warbler, pine warbler, palm warbler, cerulean warbler, American Redstart, prothonotary warbler, ovenbird, Northern Water thrush, Louisiana Water thrush, Kentucky Warbler, common yellowthroat, Wilson's warbler, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo bunting, vesper sparrow, Savannah sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, catbird, and brown thrasher.Sought after bird sightings: yellow-throated warbler and Henslow’s sparrow. Henslow’s sparrows can be found just past the Astronomy Center.
Yellow-throated warblers(right) can be found near Homestead Picnic Shelter near the north loop of Turkey Hollow Trail, in the pines along the roadway to Homestead Picnic Shelter and in the pines at the intersection of Long Valley Road and the road to Green Cloud Picnic Shelter.Spring migrants that nest in Wyalusing State Park include: yellow-billed cuckoo, black-billed cuckoo, common nighthawk, whip-poor will, Eastern wood peewee, Acadian Flycatcher, least flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, great crested flycatcher, Eastern kingbird, house wren, Eastern bluebird, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Catbird, brown thrasher, Yellow-throated vireo, warbling vireo, red-eyed vireo, blue-winged warbler, yellow warbler, yellow-throated warbler, cerulean warbler, American Redstart, prothonotary, Louisiana Water thrush, Kentucky Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo bunting, Eastern Towhee, chipping sparrow, field sparrow, Henslow’s sparrow, song sparrow, swamp sparrow, Baltimore oriole
FLOWERS IN BLOOM: cut-leaved toothwort, sharp-lobed hepatica, bloodroot, wood anemone, false rue anemone, spring beauty, wild ginger, yellow sweet violet, trout lily Mayapple (Left),
nodding bellwort, bird’s foot violet, yellow sweet violet, rue anemone, meadow rue, amethyst shooting stars.. TREES IN BLOOM: Kentucky redbud, apple, plum, cherry. Kentucky redbuds are unique in the fact that they will flower before the leaves appear.
MOREL MUSHROOMS: According to the “shroomers” who regulary camp at Wyalusing State Park during the mushroom season, the 2010 mushroom season is coming to an end. Morels were at least a week earlier than usual. “Shroomers” are like fishermen – they usually say they aren’t finding any and they will never give away the best spots.
FRIENDS OF WYALUSING: The next meeting of The Friends of Wyalusing may be postponed to the following Monday, May 17 due to a conflict in a work schedule. Randy Paske is the 2010 manager of the concession stand.
PARK HAPPENINGS: The camping season has certainly arrived at Wyalusing State Park. Last weekend we filled half of our total sites. LTES (limited term employees) have returned on a limited basis.
Upcoming Park Events
Saturday, May 8 – Guided Canoe Trip – Bruce Klang and Randy Paske
9:00 a.m. – Meet at the boat landing. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the park concession on a first come first served basis.
Saturday, May 8 – Astronomy Program – Starsplitters of Wyalusing
8:30 p.m. – Astronomy Center
Sunday May 9 – Monarch Butterfly Program – Donna Starkey
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m. If the weather is cold, the program will be held in the nature center which is totally enclosed and has a fireplace.
Saturday, May 15 – Guided Bird Walk – Matt Heeter
7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Meet at the boat landing. Participants are welcome to join the group at any time during the program
Saturday, May 15 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks” Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 29th – Paul Kosir, former LTE Naturalist at Wyalusing State Park will return for the Memorial Day Weekend, presenting a number of programs:
10:00 a.m. – Edible Plant Hike – See the plants we’ll eat tonight and many more “incredible edibles”.Edible Plant Hike – Meet at Point Lookout – 10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. – Indian Mound Walk – Find out about the residents on this land before settlement. Meet at the Passenger Pigeon Monument.
3:00 p.m. – Geology Hike – Try out the new Sand Cave Trail and learn about the Earth History of the Park. Meet at the old park office.
8:00 p.m. – Evening Program – Julian Wild, the Fern Chef – Find out how to cook edible wild plants that are delicious, nutritious, and best of all free!. Meet at Peterson Shelter.
Sunday, May 30th
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – The trees are alive with the sound of bird songs. See what makes Wyalusing such a birding “hot spot”. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Spring Wildflower Hike – See the beauty and smell the fragrance of spring ephemerals while they’re here. Meet at the old park office.
1:00 p.m. Forest Ecology Walk – Get answers to many of your questions about trees and forests plus a whole lot more. Meet at Point Lookout.
3:00 p.m. Wyalusing History Drive – Visit the car accessible sites important to Wyalusing’s history in a new program led by an old character. Meet at Point Lookout.
Monday, May 31
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – Anything this good is worth doing again. Maybe we’ll even beat Sunday’s outing. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Cliff Ecology Hike – We’ll take a last look from the bluff before we look at the bluff during a hike that’s short on distance, but long on interest. Meet at Point Lookout.
June 14 – “Snakes Alive” – 6:30 p.m. Peterson Shelter
June 26 – Native American Storyteller
Point Lookout Shelter – time TBA
July 17 – Matt Heeter - Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
July 31 – Merle Frommelt, - “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
August 7 – Matt Heeter – Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
August 7 – Boy Scout 357 – Outdoor Cooking Demo
Across from the Tennis Courts
August 14 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 6:30 p.m.
September 18 – Monarch Butterfly Program – Donna Starkey
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
September 25- Spirits of Wyalusing Past
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
The Starsplitters of Wyalusing will present Astronomy Programs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday evenings beginning in May. Programs will be held at the Huser Astronomy Center and begin at 8:30 p.m.
Please note, “Stones, Bones and Sticks originally scheduled for August 21st, has been rescheduled to August 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Future Area Events
Please note, a number of these events will have an impact on camping reservations at Wyalusing State Park. If you are planning on camping on the weekends listed below, you may want to make your campsite reservation now.
June 17-20 – Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous
July 30-July 31 – Prairie Dog Blues Festival
August 6-August 7 – Country on The River Music Fest
September 11, September 12 – Villa Louis Carriage Classic
