You will have to find alternate plans for camping if you planned on staying at Rock Island State Park during its final week of the season. On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it was shutting down the island's campground for the season effective immediately due to a growing mice problem. Thanks to the snakes that inhabit the island and the usual cold winters, mice have never been a problem, according to Park Superintendent Eric Hyde and campers who have long set up their campsite on Rock Island. Hyde says that campers were beginning to share their displeasure with the influx of mice over the last four to six weeks until it reached its breaking point this weekend. He adds that the mild winters allowed the mice population to outpace the hunger of its predators on the island.

The DNR is investigating ways to start controlling the mouse population now so they do not invade their buildings when winter hits and so they can provide quality camping experiences for their visitors next year. Rock Island State Park will remain open to day trippers until Monday, when the Karfi Ferry wraps up its service for 2024.