About Us
What do the Friends of Interstate and Straight Lake Parks do?
As a non-profit, we work closely with the staff at Interstate and Straight Lake State Parks to bring interpretive, scientific, historical and educational opportunities to the visitors of these greats parks! Events are held throughout the year, offering a wide variety of activities and learning opportunities.
Additionally, we work to help increase accessibility to the parks and the many amenities they have to offer. This is accomplished through fund raising and volunteer engagement.
Events
Our Friends Group supports special events, programs, workshops, and guest speakers.
These events allow members to network with other supporters of Interstate and Straight Lake Parks. Events include the Spring Gathering of Friends, Fall Annual Gathering and Program, Candlelight Night, and many volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Watercolors
Journaling with watercolors workshop.
Paddling – Canoe
Park visitors getting an opportunity to try kayaking and canoeing on Lake o’ the Dalles.
All About Insects
Bruce the Bug Guy shows off live insects and other invertebrates to participants.
Paddling – Kayak
Visitors getting hands-on experience using a kayak.
Voyageur Reenactment
A special 125th Anniversary Event brings history to life as voyageurs paddled a birch bark canoe and shared life from the 1790s.
Straight Lake Bird Hike
Intrepid birders enjoy a bird hike with local expert Robert Maercklein.
Pollinator Demonstration Garden
Volunteers help plant a pollinator demonstration garden in front of the Ice Age Center.
Race Winners
The 2026 Race Winners pose for a quick photograph.
Wildflower Hike
One of many guided hikes led by a local expert.
First Day Hike
People enjoyed kicking off 2026 with a first day hike at both Interstate and Straight Lake State Parks.
Tapping a Sugar Maple
Families participating in Nature Storytime learn about tapping sugar maple trees, the first step in making maple syrup.
Cecropia Moths
Bruce the Bug Guy provided an interactive experience for the audience with one of the area’s largest moths.
Silverbrook Interpretive Signs
Newly installed signs help tell the story of the Silverbrook Site.
Glacier’s Gifts Gift Shop
Glacier’s Gifts offers a wide variety of fun items to help you remember your Wisconsin State Park adventures.
Located in the Ice Age Interpretive Center, Glacier’s Gifts offers nature related books, apparel, posters, kids’ items, and more. We also have special 125th Anniversary items as we celebrate Wisconsin’s oldest state park in 2025!
Proceeds directly support educational, interpretive and maintenance projects at the parks. Everything from naturalist programming, publications, guest speakers, workshops, special events, interpretive signs, trail maintenance, expanding visitor accessibility and so much more!
125th Anniversary Items
Special Mugs, stickers, pins and magnets are available to celebrate Interstate’s 125th Anniversary!
Firewood Vending
Firewood is available 24/7 at our vending machine, located near the Ice Age Center.
Park Souvenirs
The gift shop offers many camping and park souvenirs.
Ice Age Center Exhibits
Be sure to also check out the exhibits also found in the Ice Age Center.
Park Clothing
Interstate Park and Nature themed shirts are also available.
Ice Age Center Classroom
The classroom provides space for educational activities. It also contains a number of nature related items.
Volunteer Opportunities
Numerous volunteer opportunities are available every year. These includes staffing the Ice Age Interpretive Center and Glacier’s Gifts (our Gift Shop), monitoring Eastern Bluebird nest boxes, assisting with trail renovation projects, assisting with special events, maintaining our prairie demonstration garden, leading educational programs and so much more!
As a member, you will have many opportunities for enjoyable service and interaction with other members and their families.
Work Play Earth Day
Volunteers help clean up after hazard tree removal in the campground.
Prairie Construction
Volunteers helping to turn an old overgrown area into a native pollinator prairie.
Post Digging
Volunteers help dig holes for the installation of new park signs on the CCC Interpretive Trail.
Race Monitors
Volunteers help with set up, take down and guiding Ice to Water Racers at trail intersections and difficult terrain.
Trail Improvement
Volunteers help haul traprock as part of a trail improvement project.
Trail Clearing
Volunteers helping to clear and prepare trail for the Ice to Water Race.
Drop In Programs
Volunteers help share their knowledge of nature at programs and drop in events.
Interpretive Signs
A passion for the CCC days led to the creation of new interpretive panels at the park.
Deck Replacement
Volunteers bring their carpentry skills to the park to replace decking on the Pothole Trail.
Work Play Earth Day
Volunteers help clean up after hazard tree removal in the campground.
Candlelight Night
Volunteers help set up and light hundreds of candles along trails in the park.
Demonstration Garden
Volunteers planting native plants in a prairie demonstration garden in front of the Ice Age Center.
Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with our newsletter
The Friends Newsletter is your gateway to the latest news, exciting updates, and fascinating stories from Wisconsin Interstate and Straight Lake Parks. Packed with informative articles, behind-the-scenes insights, and a calendar of must-attend events, each issue brings the parks to life in new ways. Sent to all active members two to three times a year, along with special updates throughout the seasons, this newsletter ensures you never miss an adventure!
Newsletter Spring 2026 (Now Available!)
Past Newsletters
Newsletter Summer 2025 (PDF)
Newsletter Spring 2025 (PDF)
Newsletter Fall 2024 (PDF)
Newsletter Fall 2023 (PDF)
In the News
A collection of news articles featuring friend events,
projects and other activities.
Articles are organized by the most recently published date. Please note, full versions of some articles require a subscription with the content provider.
Membership Opportunity
Become a friend today!
You can help us continue to support the preservation of this amazing landscape and promote its use for future generations.
Help us achieve our goals by becoming a member today!