Sheboygan County Free Fun Weekend
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Free Fun Weekend is June 6-7, giving Sheboygan County residents and visitors a no-cost chance to try some of the area’s best outdoor stops: free admission to Kohler-Andrae State Park, free fishing without a state license, and free state trail access where passes are normally required. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes will be waived statewide for the 14th annual Free Fun Weekend.
For Sheboygan County, that means a June weekend can easily turn into a Lake Michigan beach walk, a family fishing stop, a bike ride, a marsh visit or a first trip to a state park without paying the usual state admission or license costs.
What’s free June 6-7
During Free Fun Weekend, vehicle admission passes are not required at Wisconsin state parks, residents and nonresidents may fish without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps, and state trail passes are waived. The DNR says most state parks and trails are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the weekend.
Fishing is not a free-for-all, though. All 2026-27 fishing regulations still apply, including bag limits, length limits and species restrictions. The DNR also reminds anglers that June is a good time for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike activity.
Start at Kohler-Andrae State Park
The most obvious Sheboygan County stop is Kohler-Andrae State Park, just south of Sheboygan. The park is known for sand dunes, golden beach, Lake Michigan views, pine woods, wildlife and recreation, and it is one of the last natural preserves along the Lake Michigan shore.
The park is about two miles south of Sheboygan on County Highway V and is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Free Fun Weekend, visitors can use that free admission for a beach day, picnic, short hike, longer dune walk or family stop at the Sanderling Nature Center.
Good trail options include the Black River Marsh Boardwalk, a quarter-mile accessible wetland trail; the Creeping Juniper Nature Trail, a half-mile route through rolling sand dunes; and the Dunes Cordwalk, a two-mile trail running parallel to the Lake Michigan shoreline through active and stabilized dunes, wetlands and white pine forest.
For families, the Sanderling Nature Center offers exhibits about local wildlife, interactive kiosks, hands-on activities and direct access to the beach, Creeping Juniper Trail and Dunes Cordwalk. Visitors can also watch Lake Michigan vessels and waterfowl from the rooftop observation deck.
Free events at Kohler-Andrae on Saturday
Kohler-Andrae also has Free Fun Weekend programming on Saturday, June 6. The DNR event listing includes Kid Time with Papa Dewey from 11 a.m. to noon at the Sanderling Nature Center, Wildlife of Wisconsin from 2 to 3 p.m., and Music in the Park: Brett Hall from 7 to 8 p.m. at the amphitheater.
The kids program includes nature-themed songs and stories, while the evening music event features John Denver music and original songs; the DNR notes that Free Fun Weekend means free admission to the park.
Try fishing without buying a license
For new anglers, Free Fun Weekend is one of the easiest times to test the water. The DNR says people can fish without a license, trout stamp or salmon stamp June 6-7, and the waiver applies to both residents and nonresidents.
At Kohler-Andrae, fishing is available at the pond off Old Park Road. The pond includes an accessible fishing pier, an accessible trail around the pond, a vault toilet and a gravel parking lot. The pond is part of the Urban Fishing program, so anglers should check the special regulations for designated urban waters before keeping fish.
No rod? The DNR lists Kohler-Andrae State Park as a Sheboygan County tackle loaner site, and its tackle loaner program provides basic fishing equipment at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Most sites have basic gear such as rods and reels, bobbers, hooks, lines and sinkers, though bait is not provided.
Fish Lake Michigan from Sheboygan’s piers
For Lake Michigan fishing access, Sheboygan’s north and south piers are practical options for shore anglers. The DNR lists the North Pier at Deland Park, accessible off Broughton Drive with parking in the Deland Park lot, and the South Pier off Fisherman’s Road, with a gravel parking lot at the end of the road.
Sheboygan County also notes that the City of Sheboygan maintains public Lake Michigan access and describes Sheboygan Harbor as a sport fishing destination and one of the deepest harbors on Lake Michigan.
Head inland for lakes and marsh fishing
Free fishing also makes inland waters more inviting. Sheboygan County lists public access points at Crystal Lake, Elkhart Lake, Little Elkhart Lake, Gerber Lake, Jetzer’s Lake and Sheboygan Marsh, but visitors should note that the county still lists an annual launch permit requirement for its six inland county boat landings.
For a quieter stop, Gerber Lake Wildlife Area offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing, nature study, birding, hiking and simple relaxation on a 153-acre property with hilly terrain, two small lakes, forest and prairie. The DNR lake page for Gerber Lake lists panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike.
At Sheboygan Marsh, visitors can combine fishing with wildlife watching, paddling or a climb up the observation tower. The DNR says the Sheboygan Marsh Wildlife Area lies in northwestern Sheboygan County near Elkhart Lake and includes the largest restored wetland in the Wisconsin watersheds of Lakes Michigan and Superior. The DNR also lists fishing, canoeing, birding, hiking, wildlife viewing and a county-owned boat launch among its recreation and amenities.
The county’s Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park adds more developed facilities, including 50 campsites, showers, playground, picnic areas, launch ramp, foot golf, disc golf and fishing piers. The county also describes the marsh park and wildlife area as a destination for all seasons.
Take a trail ride or walk
State trail passes are waived for Free Fun Weekend, but the DNR notes that state trail passes are normally required only for certain users age 16 or older who bike, cross-country ski, horseback ride or inline skate on specific trails. Walking and hiking on state trails do not require a state trail pass.
For a local ride, the Old Plank Road Trail runs from the Kohler Erie Avenue Trailhead in Sheboygan west roughly 21 miles to the county line, with terrain ranging from flat to gently rolling and one larger climb near County Highway S east of Greenbush.
Another option is the Sheboygan Interurban Trail, a 14-mile paved and on-road route from the Ozaukee County line to Sheboygan. About 1.5 miles of that trail runs along the main park road inside Kohler-Andrae State Park, making it a useful add-on for people already heading to the beach or dunes.
On the western side of the county, the Kettle Moraine State Forest — Northern Unit stretches about 30 miles across Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and Washington counties. The DNR describes the forest as roughly 30,000 acres managed for recreation, forest products, water quality, soil protection, wildlife, biodiversity and aesthetics. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail also runs for about 31 miles through the Northern Unit, with additional hiking at Greenbush, New Fane, Zillmer, Butler Lake, Parnell Tower, Tamarack Trail and Lake to Lake Bike Trail areas.
A few reminders before you go
Free Fun Weekend waives state park admission, fishing licenses and state trail passes, but it does not erase every possible cost. Campground reservations, local launch permits, rentals, bait, food, private services and some county or municipal fees may still apply. The DNR also urges boaters and water users to make safety a priority, wear life jackets on boats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, use boat lights after sunset and be respectful of others at launches and on the water.
At Kohler-Andrae, swimming is available in Lake Michigan, but the DNR says there are no lifeguards. The park also does not have a boat launch, and small watercraft users should watch wind conditions because strong west winds can push watercraft away from the shoreline.
Bottom line
For Sheboygan County, Wisconsin’s Free Fun Weekend is a simple invitation: walk the dunes at Kohler-Andrae, borrow a rod and try the fishing pond, cast from a Sheboygan pier, paddle or fish the marsh, ride a county trail or head west toward the Kettle Moraine. With state fees waived June 6-7, the hardest part may be deciding which outdoor stop to try first.
