Two End-of-Winter Candlelight Snowshoe Hikes to Put a Spring in Your Step

If the long winter has got you dragging your feet, put one of these beautiful candlelight hikes on your calendar. Snowshoeing in the evening provides serenity to ease our winter stresses, camaraderie to weather the elements, and movement to energize us as we wait for spring’s arrival.

Leap Day Candlelight Snowshoe & Hike

On Saturday, February 29, head to Council Grounds State Park for the Leap Day Candlelight Snowshoe & Hike. If you’re not a winter lover, you may not rejoice in the extra day of February this year. But we say that if it provides an excuse for a special hike in beautiful Council Grounds State Park, it’s worth it! Bring your flashlight, and come ready to be dazzled as you snowshoe or hike along two glimmering miles of the Northwest Trail, lined with luminaries. After the hike, enjoy the toasty fire and some light refreshments. You’ll need an annual or daily Wisconsin State Park sticker on your vehicle. Consider carpooling with your friends, as parking is limited.

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Council Grounds State Park is located at N1895 Council Grounds Drive in Merrill. For more information about this event, call 715-536-8773. And to learn more about Council Grounds State Park, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/councilgrounds/.

Spring Forward Luminary Snowshoe Hike

The following week, on Saturday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m., Treehaven will host its Spring Forward Luminary Snowshoe Hike. On this family-friendly event, you’ll wind your way on a 3/4-mile trail through the woods of Treehaven, as the trailside candles and the full moon overhead light your path. After the hike, warm up around the fire, drink hot cocoa, and snack on homemade treats. You can bring your own snowshoes or rent them from Treehaven. Snowshoes for ages 10 and up will be available to rent.

Treehaven is a natural resources education, conference, and research center, located between Rhinelander and Tomahawk and operated by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. For more information, contact Treehaven at 715-453-4106 or visit https://www.uwsp.edu/ucm/news/Pages/TreehavenSnowshoe3-20.aspx.