Conditions at Chippewa Moraine
A unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
Conditions as of Wednesday, September 3, 2008:
Trails are in wonderful condition, and with the recent decline in insect populations, it's a great time to hike.
See the trail map [PDF, 110KB], also available at the interpretive center.
The reserve is not open to motorized vehicles, snowmobiles, or other mechanized vehicles.
Nature and Interpretive Center
The prairie adjoining the interpretive center is blooming with meadow blazing star, wild quinine, purple and yellow coneflowers and many more. The rain garden, installed in October 2007 is growing robustly and is an eye-catching stop along the sidewalk into the building. Already, many varieties of butterflies have been seen feeding off of the native plants. If you’re interested in building your own rain garden, please talk to one of the staff for information and ideas.
Berry picking has not been good this year, with berries drying up before ripening.
Although many of the visitor center’s ruby-throated hummingbirds [exit DNR] left on August 30, other recent bird sightings include common loons, eastern bluebirds, and red-headed woodpeckers. Black bears have been seen frequently in the reserve and surrounding area.
The kids in your groups may want to try some of our inside activities. The Interpretive Center provides many fun and educational hands-on activities with many of our younger visitors enjoying completing one of the nine indoor scavenger hunts. Kids -try finding all the animals and nature objects on your sheet and after a short and easy quiz by one of the rangers, you can pick a Smokey Bear prize. There are also 30 short movies to select from, ranging in length from 13 to 30 minutes. Topics include wildlife, historical, ice age geology, and nature based animated films.
Other hands-on activities could include holding a snake or turtle, exploring the "touch and guess" boxes, and digging for fossils.
The Interpretive Center is generally open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., depending on staffing availability. Please call ahead if you’re traveling any distance.
Teachers–Call now for field trip bookings, as available dates fill up fast. Reserve staff leads superb half-day field trips for any age.
Fishing and Boating
Fishing on many of the smaller kettle lakes within the reserve has awarded anglers with good luck in catching panfish and bass. Some reports of large northern pike have been received. Most of the small lakes are wild lakes with no development along the shore, making for a quiet and serene experience.
Please remember that vehicle admission stickers are required at boat landings, and are available at the park office.
Camping
Three outpost walk-in campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These lake sites are isolated, quiet, and scenic. Cost is $10 per night. Amenities include a fire ring and ‘Minnesota’ type toilet. If you’ve never camped in an outpost site before, you’ll want to experience these. Stop at the visitor center to register.
Three backpack campsites that are available on a first-come/first-served basis. If you've never tried early spring camping, you may want to consider it. The North Shattuck and Unnamed Lake campsites are within a short walk of a parking area. The Townline Lake campsite can be reached by canoe or boat. All campsites are scenic and generally quiet except for the sounds of great blue herons, barred owls, and coyotes.
Coming Events
On October 4, the 50th Anniversary Parade of Colors hike will be held at the Interpretive Center. Please join us from 9 to 11 a.m. and support and enjoy the Ice Age National Scientific Trail segment that traverses through the Chippewa Moraine.
If working outdoors on trails interests you, please mark October 11 on your calendar. Meet at the Interpretive Center at 9:30 a.m. to join others as we head out to do a small section of trail improvement.
More about these and other Ice Age Trail events [exit DNR]
More Information
Most types of hunting are allowed on state-owned land within the park boundary, but please stop at the visitor center for detailed maps and information. No vehicles, horses, or bicycles are allowed on reserve lands.
Volunteers are always needed and greatly appreciated. A wide variety of duties are available. Hours are flexible and the regular staff fun to work with. Please call Brenda Rederer, manager, for more information.
The interpretive center is generally open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. depending on staffing availability. Please call ahead if you're traveling any distance.
Park vehicle admission stickers are sold at the visitor center and are good any any Wisconsin state park. A sticker is not needed for the visitor center.
For more information, ask Chippewa Moraine, (715) 967-2800.
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