MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that Rice Lake High School junior Evan Strand is the winner of the 2025 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest.
Strand’s submission captures the essence of a night spent camping under the stars. His winning design will be printed on state park and forest vehicle admission stickers and will be displayed on more than 500,000 vehicles.
Now in its 34th year, the annual DNR-sponsored design contest is open to artwork submissions from high school-age students attending Wisconsin's public, private or parochial schools or home-schools. The DNR received about 150 entries this year.
The second-place winner is Jehiel Josh De los Santos, also of Rice Lake High School, and the third-place recipient is Joe Bellante of Catholic Central High School.
The 2025 Honorable Mentions are:
- Annelise Triscari, Slinger High School
- Ashley Commons, Cedarburg High School
- Ava Marasch, Watertown High School
- Ella Devries, Ripon High School
- Joseph Mincheski, Green Bay Southwest High School
- Molly Weeden, Cedarburg High School
- Myah Leak, Cedar Grove Belgium High School
New 12-Month State Park Vehicle Sticker Starts In 2025
Beginning in 2025, the Wisconsin DNR’s annual state park and forest vehicle admission sticker will transition to an updated sticker format that will be valid for a full 12 months from the time of purchase, instead of expiring at the end of the calendar year.
When a sticker is purchased, it will be marked to indicate the month in which it is issued. The sticker will remain valid until the final day of the 12th month following the month it is issued (e.g., a sticker purchased Feb. 1, 2025, is valid through Feb. 28, 2026).
Vehicle admission stickers provide access to more than 60 Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas. An admission sticker or daily admission pass is required on all motor vehicles entering state parks and recreation areas. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a sticker.
Vehicle admission stickers cost $28 for Wisconsin residents or $38 for non-residents. A family with more than one vehicle registered to the same household may purchase additional state park stickers for $15.50 for residents and $20.50 for non-residents. A senior citizen annual sticker for $13 is available for Wisconsin residents aged 65 or older.
The 2025 stickers will go on sale Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Stickers are available online, at state park system properties and at DNR service centers. Admission revenues fund Wisconsin State Park operations.
Last Update: Jul 31, 2024 9:39 am CDT
