Mornin' to everyone swapping cheese curds for french fries today. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

Hey reader, have you already ordered your Ice Age Trail Alliance License Plate? Well the Wiscampsin Recycled License Plate Frames really makes those tusks pop! Check ‘em out!

*Also, reader Jim pointed out an error last week — there are 17, not 13, trail communities along the IAT. Thanks Jim!

Exciting news!

• WI has two new National Trails 🥾 

• Where does our fishing rank? 🤔 

• Tourism booms 💰

New National Recreation Trails in WI

Put down that cribbage board and listen up!

Secretary Haaland, in honor of National Trails Day, just designated nine new national recreation trails in nine states, adding 340 miles to the National Trails System.

…And TWO are in Wisconsin! We knew we were the favorite…

Lace up your boots (and grab a paddle) as we dive in to the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail and Old Highway 131 Trail!

National Trails Facts

• National Trails System Act in 1968 established a nationwide system of scenic, historic, and recreation trails

• Today, consists of 11 scenic trails, 19 historic trails, and over 1,300 recreation trails

• Managed by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service (alongside a number of federal and nonprofit partners)

“Nature’s secret beauties”

Now let’s get one thing straight - the definition of a “trail” is fairly ambiguous. I.e. She left a trail of Spotted Cow from the dock to the house.

But a National Trail is the crème de la crème of trails. They are our nation’s highest-caliber trails, best depicted by US Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall (1961–69):

"A national trail is a gateway into nature’s secret beauties, a portal to the past, a way into solitude and community. It is also an inroad to our national character. Our trails are both irresistible and indispensable."

There are three distinctions of National Trails:

1. National Scenic Trails (100 miles or longer, continuous, primarily non-motorized and superb for recreation. Established by Acts of Congress)

2. National Historic Trails (routes of travel that have significance to the entire Nation, celebrating historic or prehistoric routes of travel. Also established by Acts of Congress)

3. National Recreation Trails (Existing regional and local trails, recognized by the Secretary of Agriculture or Secretary of the Interior)

New: Fabulous Fox! Water Trail

Grammar aside, (what is that exclamation point doing in there?!), the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail is a superb addition to our National Recreation Trails.

But wait, isn’t a water trail just a section of a river?

Sort of. Yes. No. Not sure. Regardless, this “trail” runs from the border of southeast Wisconsin to northeast Illinois via the Fox River.

At 158 miles long, with 70 access points along 14 sections, the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail makes for a paddler’s dream.

With a smattering of neat towns along the way — not to mention all the wildlife and scenic views — it really deserves a place at the top of your adventure bucket list.

Depending on where you hang your hat, you can find a great day-trip plan in this list of itineraries. Check out this safety list before you hit the water (your Mother thanks you).

Also new: Old Highway 131 Trail

Though it may not have quite the flare of the Fabulous Fox!, the Old Highway 131 Trail is every bit as enchanting.

Located smack dab in the middle of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, this 4.5 mile trail creates ample opportunities for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and more.

Not only that, it also lauds a rich indigenous culture and history, as well as the last remaining example of a metal truss bridge in Wisconsin (Bridge 13).

Zooming out, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve consists of 8,600 acres of public land between La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin.

If you want to learn more about the KVR, as well as its controversial flood control project, check out this guide.

And when you’ve finished digesting those potato pancakes, peep these day hikes or even throw yourself at the KVR Trail Challenge.

Now get out ‘der!

🖼 WI State Bird: American Robin Artwork!

When it came to our childhood art projects, mom always said: Keep your day job.

And criminy was she right. That's why we brought aboard a local 'Scon, Kayley Hackett, to design our latest piece of Wiscampsin merch - the State Bird print!

Picture this hanging above your bed, your tool shelf, your toilet... anywhere really, it's that darn pretty.

For every purchase, 20% will be donated to The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

• 3 Options: 5" x 7", 8" x 10", and 11" x 14"

• 100lb. Matte Cardstock

• Ships in a Rigid Envelope

• Made in the USA

• Printed in Janesville, WI

• Artist: Kayley Hackett

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Criminy, 27% of you got it right last week — there were 10 total Ice Age Trail Thru Hikers in 2022!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🎣 WI ranks #2 for fishing: Fish on! A recent study named Wisconsin #2 in the nation for fishing, falling behind only to Louisiana. The study accounted for water surface area, the # of fishing licenses sold, cost (fishing licenses, charters, and equipment).

💰 WI tourism sets record: State coffers are brimming as Wisconsin raked in a record-breaking $23.7 billion in tourism in 2022. Last year there were 111.1 million visits, up 8.8 million visits, or 8.7%, over the previous year. We also saw 45.4 million overnight visits, an increase of 13.8% from the year before. We KNEW there were more FIBs in Door County last year…

🥾 Submit your trail feedback: The DNR whipped up a new site to collect feedback on our State trails. Back in 2003, a study dove into the feasibility of new acquisitions and trail development. Here are updates on that, as well as a way to submit your trail usage and desires for future changes.

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Just wait till you start saying Ope!