Minocqua Winter Park

09/15/2026

🏃‍♀️🦌 The Buck Rut Run is back!
The 31st Buck Rut Run is happening Sunday, October 25 at Minocqua Winter Park!
📅 Sunday, October 25
⏰ 10 AM – Noon
💲 Adults: $25 | Ages 18 & Under: $20
💲 Price increases September 16
This year’s race is an important one. For the past five years, participation has hovered around 35 runners, with a goal of 50. Last year we had 43.
2026 is happening. Whether there’s a 2027 Buck Rut Run is up to you!
The race raises money for both Minocqua Winter Park and the Lakeland Union High School Cross Country Team, with all proceeds split between the two organizations.
👉 Register before September 16 to save $5! https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Minocqua/BuckRutRun
Bring a friend, bring the family, and help us get to 50 runners!

09/14/2026

Volunteers needed for the Sixth iteration of our Gravel Bike Race in two weeks ( 9/26). Support the Park and Biking - - earn a meal/beverage and a Day Pass for Skiing/Snowshoe/Tubing

The Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind is on Saturday September 26, 2026. It includes the following events: Century Black Squirrel (62 miles), 50K Fox Squirrel (31 mile), 17K Grey Squirrel (10.5 mile), and 5K Acorn "Fun Ride" (3 miles).

09/11/2026

🌲 MWPF Volunteer Days are coming up!

📅 Volunteer Days:
• Saturday, September 19
• Saturday, October 17
• Saturday, November 7
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Meet at the grooming shed, on the left side of the inner road

Help us get the park ready for winter! We’ll be spending the day trimming trails, clearing brush, and prepping the Chip Wulff Memorial Skating Pond before the snow arrives. ❄

Whether you can swing a pair of loppers, clear brush, or help prep the pond area, there is a meaningful job for everyone. By giving a few hours of your time, you directly help keep these outdoor spaces safe, beautiful, and accessible for families, skiers, and skaters all winter long. ⛷

Bring sturdy work gloves and your favorite trail tools if you have them. We’ll provide water, snacks, and pizza at noon. If you’re staying for the full four hours and don’t care for cheese or pepperoni pizza, pack a light lunch.🍕

🥾 For skating pond work: Please wear rubber or sturdy high-ankle boots that are fairly dried out.

🎿 Volunteer for 4 hours and receive a complimentary day pass for skiing, snowshoeing, or tubing!

Please register ahead of time to help us plan: https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/MWPFVolunteerDays

We appreciate all the helping hands that make Minocqua Winter Park such a special place!

09/10/2026

🪶 Thank you for joining us for our final Walk on the Wild Side program of the year!

We had a wonderful time at the park learning all about sandhill cranes with presenter Bob Dall. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
A special congratulations to Bruce and Lori Dixon, winners of the beautiful crane sign donated by Missy Kerler and In the Pines Signs.

Thank you to Ted Ashby for welcoming everyone to the Tower House with refreshments, and to Bob for sharing his knowledge and helping us learn more about these incredible birds.

Want to learn more? Check out this one-page Sandhill Crane guide to share with family, friends and neighbors:

https://wiwolvesandwildlife.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sandhill-cranes-factsheet-1.pdf

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist? Learn more about the annual Midwest Crane

Count by contacting Bob at [email protected].

📷 Crane photo credit: Bob Dall

09/09/2026

🌲 A Big Night for Minocqua Winter Park!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Patron Appreciation & Park Vision fundraiser on August 29! More than 100 guests came together for a great evening of food, a silent auction, and a look at the exciting future of Minocqua Winter Park.

We’re grateful for the incredible support of our community and everyone who continues to help our Park grow and thrive.

And there’s still time to make your gift go twice as far! Donations are matched up to $75,000 through September 30. Want to support Minocqua Winter Park? You can donate here: https://minocquawinterpark.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/patron-appreciation--park-vision-2026

Every gift helps support the Park and its future. 🌲

09/04/2026

🐿️ DIRTY SQUIRREL GRAVEL GRIND

⏰ Race fees increase at midnight September 13! Sign up today! https://minocquawinterpark.org/events/dirty-squirrel-gravel-grind-2/

If you’ve been thinking about signing up, now’s the time. And help us spread the word by sharing or reposting this!

Every registered racer gets DSGG rally towels + stickers at bag/bib pickup.

🏆 AWARDS
• Wooden medallions for the Top 3 Male & Female Overall in each race distance
• Top 3 Age Class finishers receive pins
Get registered before the price goes up!

09/03/2026

🪶 Don’t miss the final Walk on the Wild Side program of the year!

Join us Saturday, September 5 from 1–2:30 PM for “Cranes: A Remarkable Return.”

As a special enticement, our very own Missy Kerler has created and donated a third custom sign for a special drawing. Donors will have a chance to win this beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece!

And if that’s not enough to get you out the door and to the Park, we’ll also be allowing Drive-Up access to the Tower House and Squirrel Hill Overlook from 1–4 PM. 🚗

Come enjoy the Park, learn something new, and help us wrap up another great season of Walk on the Wild Side.

See you out at the Park! 🌲

09/02/2026

🚨PRICE INCREASE 🚨
Pricing for the Dirty Squirrel is INCREASING on Sunday, September 13th! Make sure to get yourself signed up now and join us September 26th on the trails! We hope to see you out there! Sign up today! https://www.ticketsignup.io/Race/Photos/WI/Minocqua/DirtySquirrelGravelGrind

09/01/2026

The Lakeland Times joined us on August 22 for our Deer Behavior program! Participants learned fascinating facts about white-tailed deer, including how their age can be determined by examining their jawbones. It was a great afternoon of learning more about one of the Northwoods’ most iconic animals!

08/31/2026

🪽 THIS Saturday!
Join the conversation about Sandhill Cranes, migration, citizen science, and the future of Wisconsin’s wildlife. Join us September 5th at Minocqua Winter Park. https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/CranesARemarkableReturn