Chapter NR 45

NR 45.03(21d)(g) (g) Requires event participation fees.

NR 45.03(21e) (21e) “Special property use” means engaging in an activity on or using state land or facilities that may be otherwise prohibited but authorized by permit and which is of benefit to the department, its visitors, private individuals or private or public organizations, or other state, county, municipal, or tribal organizations. Special events and commercial use are types of special property use.

NR 45.03(21f) (21f) “Standard boat-in campsite” means a campsite that is primarily accessed by watercraft.

NR 45.03(21fm) (21fm) “Standard campground” means any tract of land designated for camping by a family group or a non-family group of 6 persons or less and that is accessible by a public road and meets the criteria under s. 340.01 (22), Stats.

NR 45.03(21g) (21g) “State natural area” has the meaning given in s. 23.27 (1) (h), Stats.

NR 45.03 Note Note: Section 23.27 (1) (h) states “state natural area”, unless otherwise limited, means any designated state natural area or dedicated state natural area.

NR 45.03(21m) (21m) “State park” or “state forest” means the area within the project boundary approved for the state park or state forest by the natural resources board.

NR 45.03(21r) (21r) “State park system” includes state parks under s. 27.01, Stats., state recreation areas under s. 23.091, Stats., and southern forests under s. 27.016 (1) (c), Stats. River and resource areas including the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway under subch. IV of ch. 30, Stats., lands associated with wild rivers under s. 30.26, Stats., and other properties managed with the state park system may be considered part of the state park system. Northern forests, for purposes of recreation management, may also be considered park of the state park system. State trails are a type of state park, in accordance with s. NR 1.30 (1) (e). The state park system includes both properties with fee areas under s. NR 45.12 (1) and properties without fees.

NR 45.03(22) (22) “State trail” means a recreational trail designated by the department under s. NR 51.73.

NR 45.03(22r) (22r) “Stopover boat-in campsite” means a campsite that is primarily accessed by watercraft and whose primary purpose the department has identified as a pass-through site for paddlers utilizing a water trail.

NR 45.03(23) (23) “Swimming beach” means any water area or adjacent land area designated as a swim area by standard regulatory markers or posted notice.

NR 45.03(23s) (23s) “Ungulate” means any hoofed mammal.

NR 45.03(24) (24) “Vehicle” means any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or mobile home and is further defined in s. 340.01 (74), Stats. For purposes of this chapter, a snowmobile is considered to be a vehicle.

NR 45.03(25m) (25m) “Water trail” means a recreational route on a waterway that has a network of public access points.

NR 45.03(26) (26) “Water view campsite” means a campsite bordering on a body of water or with a scenic view of a body of water.

NR 45.03(27) (27) “Yurt” means a circular, tent-like structure supported on a lattice framework with a window or windows and a hinged door and is used for overnight camping by a family or non-family group.

NR 45.03 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; renum. (2) to (17) to be (3) to (17) and (19) and am. (10) and (16), cr. (2) and (13), Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; renum. (18) and (19) to be (19) and (21), cr. (18) and (20), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; renum. (3) to (18) and (21) to be (3) to (17) and (22) and am. (5), (6) and (21), cr. (18), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (6), renum. (9) to (22) to be (25), (9) to (13), (16) to (20) and (22) to (24) and am. (25), am. (11) and cr. (14), (15) and (21), Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; cr. (8m) and (21m), Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; CR 01-011: cr. (8f) and (16m) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: cr. (2m), (9f), (9m), (18m) and (26), am. (15) Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-092: cr. (6m), (9c), (9i), (9k), (14m), (15m), (16r), (16v), (18f), (18t) and (21g) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; CR 07-026: cr. (9g), (23m) and (27), am. (16) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-042: cr. (3m) and (18k), am. (9i) and (15) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 16-001: am. (3), (16v), cr. (18x), (21d), (25m) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 19-107: r. and recr. (16) Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20; CR 23-060: am. (1), cr. (1m), am. (2m), cr. (3g), am. (4), r. (5), am. (6m), (7), cr. (8j), (9b), am. (9m), (10), (11), cr. (13m), am. (15), (15m), cr. (18h), r. (18t), cr. (18u), (21e), (21f), (21r), (22r), r. (23m), cr. (23s), r. (25), am. (26) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24; (11) correction in (8j), (9b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and renum. (11) to (21fm) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register July 2024 No. 823.

NR 45.04 NR 45.04 General rules.

NR 45.04(1) (1) State property.

NR 45.04(1)(a) (a) No person may damage, destroy, molest, deface, remove, or attempt to remove any natural growth or natural or archaeological feature except as provided in sub. (1s).

NR 45.04(1)(b) (b)

NR 45.04(1)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph, “gravel pit” has the meaning given in s. NR 135.03 (16).

NR 45.04(1)(b)2. 2. The department may close, by posted notice, any land, structure, or property owned or administered by the state of Wisconsin and under the management, supervision, and control of the department. Closure may include prohibiting access for one or more types of activities and shall be implemented for the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and welfare, or for protection of natural resources or property as determined by the secretary. No person may enter or be in any building installation or area that may be locked or closed to public use or contrary to posted notice without a written permit from the property superintendent. For gravel pits, all of the following apply:

NR 45.04(1)(b)2.a. a. For the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and welfare, the department may close any gravel pits and other sites where earthmoving activities may take place.

NR 45.04(1)(b)2.b. b. The department may keep these sites closed until such time as reclamation has been completed, including any maintenance period.  No person may enter or be in any structure or area that is closed to public use without a written agreement with the department.

NR 45.04(1)(b)2.c. c. The department may effectuate closure through the property master planning process under ch. NR 44 or by order of the secretary.  Notice of closure shall be reflected in the respective property maps, and, as necessary, with signage at the location.

NR 45.04(1)(c) (c) Flying related activities, including but not limited to, use of uncrewed aircraft systems, hang gliding, parasailing, hot air ballooning, land sailing, flying model airplanes or sky diving on state parks, state recreation areas, state natural areas, Kettle Moraine and Point Beach state forests and Lower Wisconsin state riverway shall be restricted to areas posted for their use.

NR 45.04(1)(d) (d) In-line skates or roller blades are permitted on all public highways and paved trails under department management and supervision except where posted against such use.

NR 45.04(1)(e) (e) The department may, by posted notice, restrict climbing activities on any lands subject to this chapter. Notice of climbing restrictions shall be posted at the administrative office of the property and at the site where the climbing restrictions apply.

NR 45.04(1)(f) (f) No person may transplant, relocate, stock or release any plant or animal, domesticated or wild, without written permission from the department unless engaged in dog training or trialing in accordance with chs. NR 16 and 17.

NR 45.04(1s) (1s) Collecting. Except as specifically provided in this subsection, a person may collect any of the following materials for noncommercial use:

NR 45.04(1s)(a) (a)

NR 45.04(1s)(a)1. 1. Edible fruits, edible nuts, wild mushrooms, wild asparagus, and watercress may be collected by hand for the purpose of personal consumption by the collector.

NR 45.04(1s)(a)2. 2. Herbaceous plant species that are listed as prohibited plant invasive species under s. NR 40.04 (2) (b), listed as restricted plant invasive species under s. NR 40.05 (2) (b), or considered non-restricted invasive species under s. NR 40.03 (1), may be removed without written permission or a permit issued under this chapter.

NR 45.04 Note Note: A list of non-restricted invasive species is available on the department’s website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/what.html. Possession, movement, and proper disposal of invasive species is regulated under ch. NR 40 and an invasive species permit issued under that chapter may be required unless the invasive plants are left or disposed of onsite.

NR 45.04(1s)(a)3. 3. Except on state natural areas, willow and aspen stems not larger than 2.5 inches in diameter, from species not listed under ch. NR 27, may be collected for personal, noncommercial use by the collector for the purpose of trap stakes, bait sticks, or both.

NR 45.04(1s)(a)4. 4. Except for edible fruits, edible nuts, and edible seeds collected for personal consumption under this paragraph, a person wishing to collect seeds from herbaceous plants, including grasses and wildflowers, or seeds or nuts from woody plants, or both, on department lands shall apply for and obtain a seed collecting permit from the department.

NR 45.04 Note Note:  The seed collecting permit application form is available at https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/forms/1700/1700-039.pdf.

NR 45.04(1s)(a)5. 5. A person may collect shed antlers, clean skulls, and clean bones of wild animals for which an open season has been established under ch. NR 10, and as long as the collection of the antlers, skulls, or bones follows all state and federal laws.

NR 45.04(1s)(b) (b)

NR 45.04(1s)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., rocks, minerals, or fossil materials may be collected for noncommercial purposes, such as educational uses and personal collections, by hand or using a hand held rock hammer or similar device in accordance with written permission issued by the manager of the property on which the collecting is done. A collector may not remove more than 5 pounds of rock, mineral or fossil material per day from any property, with a maximum total of 50 pounds per year. The written permission may further limit the allowable methods and amounts of material collected.

NR 45.04(1s)(b)2. 2. No person may collect rocks, minerals, or fossil materials on state trails, Havenwoods state forest, and any specific site which is designated as a noncollection site by the department.

NR 45.04(1s)(b)3. 3. No person may collect rocks, minerals or fossil materials on state natural areas without first obtaining a state natural area scientific collector permit.

NR 45.04(2) (2) Closing hours.

NR 45.04(2)(a) (a) No person may enter or be within the boundaries of any state park, state recreation area, southern forest, forest campground, picnic area, beach, amphitheater, posted parking areas and specifically designated areas within the Lower Wisconsin state riverway between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and the following 6:00 a.m. except:

NR 45.04(2)(a)1. 1. Registered campers in or enroute to their designated campsites.

NR 45.04(2)(a)2. 2. Hunters or trappers entering department lands during an open hunting or trapping season on the land, provided the entry is no earlier than 90 minutes prior to sunrise.

NR 45.04(2)(a)4. 4. Lakeshore state park hours of operation are between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., except for persons actively engaged in fishing, persons moving through the park on designated trails, or registered guests at the marina leaving or returning to their boats.

NR 45.04(2)(a)5. 5. Users of state trails, except during hours of closure as posted by the department or by an entity operating a state trail under a written agreement with the department.

NR 45.04(2)(a)6. 6. Kettle Moraine state forest – Lapham Peak unit hours of operation are between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

NR 45.04(2)(a)7. 7. Havenwoods state forest hours of operation are between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

NR 45.04(2)(a)8. 8. Whitefish Dunes state park hours of operation are between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

NR 45.04(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to any person who for the sole purpose of fishing:

NR 45.04(2)(b)1. 1. Enters any of the locations listed in par. (a) prior to 11:00 p.m., or

NR 45.04(2)(b)2. 2. Enters any state park or state forest recreation area on the opening weekend of fishing season, or

NR 45.04(2)(b)3. 3. Uses the boat launch facilities and boat launching parking lots in the northern state forests.

NR 45.04(2)(b)4. 4. Enters any state park or state forest recreation area one hour before sunrise.

NR 45.04(2)(c) (c) The closing hours of this subsection do not apply to individuals with written authorization from the department or to those projects or parts of projects where the department has posted other opening and closing hours or where the department has waived these hours and established different hours for special events and programs. No person may enter or be within a department property contrary to closing hours established pursuant to this subsection.

NR 45.04(3) (3) Personal conduct.

NR 45.04(3)(a) (a) Disorderly conduct. No person may engage in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct, or conduct which tends to cause or provoke a disturbance or create a breach of the peace.

NR 45.04(3)(am) (am) Nudity.

NR 45.04(3)(am)1. 1. In this section, “nude” or “nudity” means being clothed or unclothed in such a manner that the person’s genitals, pubic hair, buttocks, perineum, anus, anal region, or pubic hair region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view or is not covered by an opaque covering.

NR 45.04(3)(am)2. 2. No person may appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk, or otherwise be nude on any lands under the management, supervision, or control of the department. This does not apply to breastfeeding by nursing parents and does not apply in any of the following areas not open to public view: restrooms, bath houses, showers, changing facilities, or privately-owned camping units.

NR 45.04 Note Note: Tagami v. City of Chicago, 875 F. 3d 375 (7th Cir. 2017).

NR 45.04(3)(b) (b) Evictions. The department may expel any person or persons from the lands under the management, supervision and control of the department for violations of any state law, administrative rule or posted rules or regulations. The period of time for which a person may be expelled is 48 hours, or for the period of their camping permit, whichever is longer. The expelled person may not return to the property before the eviction period has elapsed or enter any other lands under the management, supervision, and control of the department for a period of 48 hours after eviction. Persons expelled are not eligible for refunds for unused camping fees or vehicle admission fees. People charged with violent, assaultive or disorderly behavior may be expelled until after the case is adjudicated in court.

NR 45.04(3)(c) (c) Observation towers. No person may possess or consume any food or beverage, including fermented malt beverage or intoxicating liquor, when on any observation tower.

NR 45.04(3)(d) (d) Refuse and recyclable materials.

NR 45.04(3)(d)1. 1. No person may dispose of any debris, waste or recyclable material except by placing the material in receptacles provided for those purposes.

NR 45.04(3)(d)2. 2. No person may dispose of any waste or recyclable materials in any waste or recyclable receptacles or at any location if the waste or recyclable material is generated from a permanent or seasonal residence or a business or other commercial operation.

NR 45.04(3)(d)3. 3. No person may dispose of anything other than human waste and toilet paper in a department toilet facility.

NR 45.04(3)(e) (e) Noise.

NR 45.04(3)(e)1. 1. ‘Devices.’ Except in accordance with a written permit issued by the department, no person may operate any device, including an amplified speaker, outdoor electronic device, gasoline powered device, generator, chainsaw, air-conditioner or other device at a volume that interferes with the enjoyment of the area by others or is likely to cause a disturbance.

NR 45.04(3)(e)2. 2. ‘Camping quiet hours.’ No person may make a noise at a level above that of a quiet conversation in camping areas and overnight moorings between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

NR 45.04(3)(f) (f) Soliciting.

NR 45.04(3)(f)1. 1. No person may solicit or collect funds or peddle or solicit business of any nature, post signs or distribute handbills or advertising matter unless first authorized by contractual agreement with the department.

NR 45.04(3)(f)2. 2. In addition to the requirements of subd. 1., in the state parks, state recreation areas and southern forests, no person may engage in commercial filming or photography or provide services for a fee that involves the provider’s physical presence in the state park, state recreation area or southern forest unless first authorized by contractual agreement with the department.

NR 45.04(3)(f)3. 3. No person may use in any manner the dock, pier, wharf, boat landing or mooring facilities in, or on, the waters in or immediately adjacent to any lands under the management, supervision or control of the department for the purpose of soliciting rides of any kind, unless authorized by the department.

NR 45.04(3)(f)4. 4. This paragraph does not apply to the provision of emergency repair service or tour buses originating outside of department lands.

NR 45.04(3)(g) (g) Unauthorized interference with state or personal property. No person may damage, deface, interfere with, destroy, molest, possess without permission, attempt to remove or remove the property of the state or any other person.

NR 45.04 Note Note: Property of the state includes roadway and parking lot surfaces, signs, and structures under state ownership.

NR 45.04(3)(i) (i) Metal detectors. The use of metal detectors is prohibited except by written permit issued by the property superintendent.

NR 45.04(3)(j) (j) Ski trails. No person may hike or snowshoe on designated cross-country ski trails when the trails are snow covered.

NR 45.04(3)(k) (k) Quiet zones. The department may establish quiet zones by posted notice. Within quiet zones, no person may operate a radio, boombox, musical instrument, tape player or similar noise producing device, unless the noise is confined to the person through the use of a headset.

NR 45.04(3)(L) (L) Fireworks. No person may possess or discharge any fireworks regulated by s. 167.10 (1), Stats.

NR 45.04(3)(m) (m) Structures.

NR 45.04(3)(m)1. 1. In this paragraph:

NR 45.04(3)(m)1.a. a. “Personal property” includes stakes, markers, or any other object which is placed with the intent of marking the location of a trap site except when the season established in s. NR 10.01 for that species is open and a lawfully set trap is placed with the stake or marker.

NR 45.04(3)(m)1.b. b. “Personal property” does not include a trail camera that is in compliance with the provisions of par. (w).

NR 45.04(3)(m)2. 2. Except as authorized by the department, no person may construct, place, occupy or use structures or store personal property on lands subject to this chapter. This paragraph does not apply to tents or canopies which are less than 100 square feet in area or other temporary structures which are used for recreational purposes and removed by 11:00 p.m. of the day they are placed on the property.