|
Kettle Moraine State Forest
|
|
|
|
Nature of the Area |
|
The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is located 45 minutes north of Milwaukee. Please see a Wisconsin State Highway Map and our Forest Map to determine if the suggested route will work best for you. See Current Conditions page for any detour information.
Visitors can explore and enjoy almost 30,000 acres of rolling hills, lakes, forests, and grasslands. The forest is internationally known for its unique glacial features. Pets welcome.
A great start to exploring the Forest is the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. Purchase of state park and other merchandise from their gift shop help supports the Friends of the Kettle Moraine group.
|
Camping |
|
Mauthe Lake Campground
Mauthe Lake Campground has 137 sites, including 49 electrical sites, one shower building and vault toilets. The beach area features playground equipment and concessions are available for food & camping supplies, watercraft rental, and firewood.
An authentic Native American plains tepee is available for rent. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station is provided for registered campers. Mauthe Lake is open for camping year round. Call for more information.
Reservations are recommended from mid-May thru September. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757.
Long Lake Campground
Long Lake Campground provides 200 sites, flush toilets and showers. A private concessionaire provides firewood when the entrance station is open. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station is provided for registered campers. Long Lake Campground is open for camping the first weekend in May through mid-October. Call for more information.
Reservations are recommended from mid-May through September. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757.
Backpack shelters
Backpack shelters are available year round for rustic camping along the 31.65 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and at the Zillmer Trail. Each site offers a roofed trail shelter, fire ring and pit toilet. Registered campers may gather dead and downed trees for firewood.
These sites are not accessible by vehicle. All camping equipment must be backpacked in and all refuse packed out. A camping permit is required and you must camp at a designated shelter campsite.
Only one reservation (camping party) is allowed per site per night. Reservations are limited to ten persons per site and are limited to one night per site. Another site may be reserved for a 2nd night at a 2nd site or a 3rd night at a 3rd site. You must call Reserve America at (888) 947-2757 to make backpack shelter reservations--backpack shelter reservations cannot be made on the web.
If you do not have a reservation, you must stop in at either the Forest Headquarters, Ice Age Visitor Center or Mauthe/Long Lake Entrance Stations (when open) to obtain a camping permit. Site availability is limited for spring and fall weekends--reservations are recommended. A reservation is required for stays longer than two nights along the trail.
Greenbush Group Campground
The Greenbush Group Campground offers nine outdoor sites which accommodate groups up to 60 individuals. Only tent camping is allowed on the actual campsite. Sites are located near the Greenbush Trails where campers can enjoy hiking or off-road biking. An enclosed shelter building, handpumps and pit toilets are available nearby. Greenbush Group Campground is open for camping April through November. Call for more information.
Reservations are required. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling toll free (888) 947-2757. Discounted camping rates for resident chartered non-profit youth groups available.
New Prospect Horseriders Campground
New Prospect Horseriders Campground is centrally located on the 33-mile Bridle Trail that winds through the state forest. Campers with horses may enjoy 12 family sites, 3 group sites, a picnic shelter, drinking water and pit toilets. A 48-stall horse shelter building is available for campers, and each site includes teether posts. Call for more information.
Reservations are recommended in spring and fall. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757. |
Trails |
|
Butler Lake Loop
On Butler Lake Road, 1.5 miles east of Long Lake Recreation Area, the Butler Lake Trail winds more than 3 miles through the 158-acre Butler Lake and Flynss Spring State Natural Area. A portion of the loop trail is shared with the Ice Age Trail. Interpretive displays are set at the base of the esker and overlook Butler Lake. A picnic table, grill and drinking water are located at the trailhead.
Greenbush Loop System
On Kettle Moraine Drive, 2.5 miles north of State Hwy. 67, the Greenbush Trail is a combination of 4 loop trails totaling 9 miles. Seasonally, hikers share these loop trails with off-road mountain bikers. In winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. (Hiking is prohibited when snow is present.) A heated picnic shelter, picnic tables, grill, drinking water and vault toilets are near the trailhead.
New Fane Loop System
On County Line Road, 1.5 miles east of Kettle Moraine Drive, the New Fane Trail is a series of moderately challenging loop trails totaling 5.5 miles. A short connector trail trail allows access to the Ice Age Trail. Hikers and off-road mountain bikers share this multiple-use trail system in season. Cross-country skiing arrives with snow. (Hiking is prohibited when snow is present.)
Parnell Loop
On County Hwy. U, one quarter mile west of County Hwy A, the Parnell Tower Trail begins its 3.5-mile loop with a series of steps leading to the highest point of elevation in the forest. There a 60-foot observation tower rises above the treetops for a birds-eye view of the glacial landscape. The trail follows the Ice Age Trail near a rustic backpack shelter. Picnic tables, grills, drinking water and vault toilets are adjacent to the trailhead.
Zillmer Loop System
On County Hwy. SS, one quarter mile west of County Hwy. G, the Zillmer Trail Area consists of 4 loop trails for a total of 8 miles. The south trailhead has picnic tables, grills and drinking water. Visitors can also access the trail from the Ice Age Visitor Center. A rustic backpack shelter is located along the trail. In winter it is a groomed cross-country ski trail. (Hiking is prohibited when snow is present.) Closed to hunting with firearms, except during deer gun and spring turkey seasons.
Ice Age Trail
Approximately 31 miles (PDF 32KB) of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (exit DNR) travels the length of the forest. The moderate to difficult course follows sinuous eskers and tumbled moraines descending into bogs and deep kettles. |
Picnicking |
|
Kettle Moraine North has picnic tables and grills at a number of recreation and trail areas. All areas, except the campgrounds, have adopted the Carry In/Carry Out policy.
Three areas have shelters that can be reserved for group activities by phone or by mailing a form to the forest headquarters. |
Swimming |
|
The state forest has three swimming beaches, one at Mauthe Lake and two at Long Lake. Lifeguards are not provided. Pets, soaps, food and beverages prohibited in marked swim areas.
Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation Areas are open from 6 AM to 11 PM year round. Picnic tables, grills and toilet facilities are available near the beaches. A Carry In Carry Out policy does apply at these day-use areas. |
Fishing and Hunting |
|
The seven lakes listed above are within or bordering the Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit. These lakes, ranging in size from 427 acres (Long Lake) to less than seven acres, accounting for a total of 786 acres.
The primary fish species in these lakes include large-mouth bass, bluegill, crappies, and northern pike. Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation Areas have fishing piers that are accessible to people who are mobily impaired.
Public access is provided on these lakes by either a developed boat landing or walk-in access. A private concessionaire provides various types of watercraft for fishing at a number of these lakes. Lake Seven, Mauthe, Forest and Butler Lakes prohibit the use of gas-powered motors. Other boating restrictions may apply. Check at landings for posted information regarding wake/no wake rules and whether or not a state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
All watercraft must be equipped with a wearable Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person on board. Consult the Wisconsin Fishing and Related Species Regulations before going fishing.
Hunting
Approximately 95 percent of the state forest is open to public hunting during established open seasons. Some seasons may be subject to change. Consult the Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations before going hunting.
Because the forest is used by many other recreationists, the hunter should be especially aware of gun safety and his/her conduct while hunting. Hunting near any trail being used by hikers, equestrians, bikers and/or skiers is discouraged.
The most heavily used trails are Crooked Lake, Forest Lake, Greenbush, Butler Lake, Parnell Tower, Zillmer, and New Fane loop trails, as well as the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the bridle/snowmobile trails which traverse the linear length of the forest. The Zillmer trail is closed to hunting with firearms, except during the gun deer season and spring turkey hunting season.
Areas restricted from hunting include the 850-acre wildlife refuge around Mauthe Lake and areas of high public use such as recreation areas, campgrounds and the Ice Age Visitor Center. There are many areas of private land scattered throughout the forest. Take care to stay on state-owned property and not trespass on adjacent private lands. |
| |
| | |
More Info | |
Official home page of Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Wisconsin ... Exit DNR Kettle Moraine State Forest-- Northern Unit Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view and print portable ... | |
Brief desciption and map of Wisconsins state forests. Provided by the Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Forestry. ... Forestry State Forest Descriptions Black River Brule River Coulee Experimental Flambeau ... | |
Main Menu | Books | Tips | Distributors | Wilderness Areas KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST -- SOUTH UNIT ICE AGE TRAIL Kettle Moraine State Forest/South photos Over 20,000 acres of glacial hills and ... | |
28 Maps / 82 Trails. Detailed 2-color Trail Guides for Bicycling and other Trail Sports. ... 1-800-246-4627 Fax 1-847-838-5594 Kettle Moraine State ForestNorth & South Units WI17 $3.95 Suggested ... | |
... Maintenance Skills/Techniques Wisconsin Trails MapKettle Moraine State Forest Waterproof and tear proof Double sided and ... and much more!Kettle Moraine State Forest Bicycling is allowed on ... | |
Top News. HIPPA. Top Websites GIS Public Access County Golf Course. Local Area Websites Media. Fond du Lac Features. Fond du Lac Reporter Action Online KFIZ Sunny 97-7. Education Marian College... | |
startribune.com, website of Star Tribune, newspaper of the Twin Cities ... shopping contact us feedback form Worth noting Kettle Moraine State Forest Published August 13, 2000 GETB0813 At first glance ... |
|
| | | |
|
|
Kettle Moraine State Forest
|
| |
| |
|
