Free Fridays
The Ridges is excited to launch Free Fridays, our new program series in which admission to the Sanctuary is FREE on Fridays in July and August! In addition to free admission to the Sanctuary trails, each Free Friday will explore a theme of the Sanctuary, including Birds of the Boreal Forest, Under the Swales, Orchid Observers, and more. Activities and interactive learning experiences will be available on Hidden Brook Boardwalk for families with children of all ages. Children will also receive a Free Fridays Passport. Passports stamped with five or more Free Fridays stamps can collect a prize in The Ridges Nature Center!
Come enjoy the Ridges Sanctuary for free, learn about aspects of Sanctuary flora and fauna, and experience fun activities for all ages!
The Free Fridays experience is made possible by 100+ Women Who Care Door County. The Ridges is excited to provide accessible and inclusive experiences for our community with the support of 100+ Women Who Care Door County. We are committed to being a safe space, welcoming all, and encouraging collective connection to the outdoors and with each other.
2024 Free Fridays Schedule
Admission on Fridays in July and August will be free from the Sanctuary opening at dawn to the Sanctuary closing at dusk. Activities will be available from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
To kick off our first Free Friday, we’ll have activities out from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm! Come enjoy the Sanctuary and learn about the importance of watersheds all day long!
July 5th: Watersheds
Come visit The Ridges Sanctuary and hit the trails to learn about how water moves! Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in a hands-on game and exploration to see why water is so important to us here.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be during Nature Center operational hours of 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.
July 12th: Birds of the Boreal Forest
Join us at The Ridges Sanctuary to find out who is chirping! Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and find out which birds are sharing our space.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
July 19th: Conifers
Come out to The Ridges Sanctuary and learn about the conifers that make up some of our forests! Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about conifers.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
July 26th: Under the Swales!
Who lives under the water in the swales? Join us at The Ridges Sanctuary to explore the little creatures found in our waterways.
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about the macroinvertebrates that call the Ridges home.
Trails are free all day, from dawn to dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
August 2nd: Orchid Observer
Did you know The Ridges Sanctuary is home to 29 of Wisconsin’s 40 species of Orchids?
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about orchids.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
August 9th: Pollinators
Come visit us at The Ridges Sanctuary to learn about different pollinators found here!
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about pollinators.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm, with additional activities on the Family Discovery Trail.
August 16th: Turtles, snakes, and amphibians, oh my!
Slither, scurry, and squirm away! Come join us at The Ridges Sanctuary to learn about the reptiles and amphibians who call the ridges and swales home.
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about reptiles and amphibians.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
August 23rd: Monarchs
Come join us at The Ridges Sanctuary for Free Friday during Monarch Madness! Explore and look for Monarch butterflies and caterpillars.
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about Monarch butterflies.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
August 30th: Lichens
Have you ever wondered what that green stuff growing on the tree is? Is it moss? Is it a fungus? Join us to learn more about lichens!
Visitors will be able to explore the trails at no cost as part of Free Fridays and engage in hands-on activities to learn about lichens.
Trails are free all day, from dawn til dusk, activities will be on Hidden Brook Boardwalk from 1-4pm.
If you have questions about Free Fridays, please call (920) 839-2802.
