State Parks & Forests

Kettle Moraine North

In the Area

Kettle Moraine State Forest -- Northern Unit
Trails

The Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit has more than 132 miles of trails, varying in difficulty, length, and permitted uses. Steep climbs or descents are common. Parking lots are provided throughout the forest. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not allowed at any time.

Forest Map [PDF 327KB]

Hiking Trails

Important! Pets on designated trails must be on a leash (no longer than 8 feet long).

Butler Lake Loop [PDF 160KB]. 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 at the trailhead.

Greenbush Loop System [PDF 200KB]. On Kettle Moraine Drive, 2.5 miles north of State Highway 67, the Greenbush Trail is a combination of four 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 [PDF 211KB]. 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 [PDF 624KB] On County Highway U, one quarter mile west of County Highway 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 [PDF 226KB] On County Highway SS, one quarter mile west of County Highway G, the Zillmer Trail Area consists of four 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 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 (forest map [PDF 327KB]) About 31 miles [PDF 32KB] of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail travels the length of the forest. The moderate to difficult course follows sinuous eskers and tumbled moraines descending into bogs and deep kettles.

Special Interest Areas

Greenbush Kettle - On Kettle Moraine Drive, 1 mile north of State Highway 67. An outstanding example of a glacial kettle hole. A scenic overlook, viewing deck and interpretive display is just a short walk from the parking lot.

Haskell Noyes Memorial Woods - On County Highway GGG just south of Highway SS. A historical marker greets visitors to this 67-acre State Natural Area. This area is designated as a Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Area and is included in the national "Watchable Wildlife" program.

Visita Trail Overlook - At the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. A short climb up some stairs and you arrive at a viewing platform overlooking a beautiful vista from which you can see drumlins, eskers and ground moraines.

Jersey Flats Prairie - On County Highway SS, 1/4 mile west of the village of New Prospect. This restored prairie is a glacial outwash plain. This area is designated as a Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Area and is included in the national "Watchable Wildlife" program.

Little Mud Lake - On County Highway SS, 1/2 mile east of County Highway GGG. This site is a State Habitat Preservation Area and is vital for the long-term survival of the red-spotted, blue-spotted, spotted, and tiger salamanders that thrive here. A picnic table and grill are provided at the small parking lot.

Dundee Kame (White Kame) - On County Highway F, 1/4 mile east of Dundee. This conical moulin kame lies within a 468-acre State Natural Area. The kame is known throughout the world by geology students and is often pictured in geology textbooks because of its near perfect form.

Kame Field - Near the intersection of Highway V and Deer Road looking north. The mile-wide view of this spectacular kame field is breathtaking. Visitors can view and experience the rock and rubble and gravel "insides" of a kame up close.

Spruce Lake Bog State Natural Area- North of Dundee on Airport Road, 1/2 mile west of Vista Drive. This area is designated as a Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Area and is included in the national "Watchable Wildlife" program. Visitors must stay on the boardwalk trail due to the fragile nature of the bog plants, the presence of poison sumac, and the unstable bog surface

Off-Road Bike Trails

Greenbush Loop System Map [PDF 200KB]
New Fane Loop System Map [PDF 211KB]

Off-road biking is only permitted on the Greenbush (9 miles) and New Fane (5.5 miles) loop trails. Normally these trails are opened in late April through November, depending on trail conditions. We highly recommend that you not ride while it is raining or within 4 to 6 hours after rain has stopped.

A trail pass is required for riders 16 years of age and older. See the current conditions page and/or call ahead to check trail conditions and to make sure trails are open.

Bridle Trails

Forest Map [PDF 327KB]
Northern Kettle Moraine Horse Trail Association Trail Map [PDF 737KB]

Equestrians enjoy 39 miles of bridle trail which are traditionally open late April through mid November depending on trail conditions. The main bridle trail winds the linear length of the forest of 33 miles. Two loop trails, Crooked and Forest Lake, provide shorter routes totaling 6 miles.

A trail pass is required for riders 16 and older. See the current conditions page and/or call ahead to check trail conditions and to make sure trails are open.

Cross-Country Ski Trails

Skiers stopped at shelter
There's a heated shelter near the Greenbush trailhead.
DNR Photo

Greenbush Loop System Trail Map [PDF 200KB]
Zillmer Loop System Trail Map [PDF 226KB]

A total of 17 miles of machine-groomed cross-country ski trails are provided for diagonal and skate skiers. Pets and hiking are not allowed on ski trails. A heated log Shelter House and sledding hill are open to the public at the Greenbush Recreation Area.

For Zillmer Ski Trail conditions call Forest Headquarters or Ice Age Visitor Center. For Greenbush Ski Trail conditions, see the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club website [exit DNR] or call the Nordic Ski Hotline, (920) 467-2099.

Non-groomed cross-country ski trails are available at New Fane.

New Fane Loop System Trail Map [PDF 211KB]

Snowmobile Trails

Forest Map [PDF 327KB]

The 58-mile network of state forest snowmobile trails join county and private trails, making it possible to visit adjoining towns and villages in the three county region. Trails are groomed by local snowmobile clubs contracted by the state forest. See the current conditions page and/or call (920) 892-7455 to check trail conditions and to make sure trails are open.

Note: Any person who is born on or after January 1, 1985, and who has reached the age of 12, must have completed and received a snowmobile safety certificate in order to operate a snowmobile in Wisconsin. The certificate must be carried while operating the snowmobile, and displayed to a law enforcement officer upon demand. A parent, guardian, or person 18 years old or older must accompany any child under age 12 on the same snowmobile when operating on public areas.

Snowmobile Safety Education Classes

Winter Hiking / Snowshoe Trails

The following trails are recommended for winter hiking and/or snowshoeing:

  • Moraine Nature Trail - .75 miles, easy to intermediate
  • Tamarack Nature Trail - 2 miles, easy
  • Parnel Trail - 3.5 miles, intermediate to difficult
  • Ice Age Trail - 31 miles, intermedidate to difficult
  • Butler Lake Trail - 3.1 miles, easy to intermediate
  • Pets are prohibited on designated nature trails

For More Information

Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit
Forest Headquarters
N1765 Highway G
Campbellsport WI 53010
(262) 626-2116 or

Ice Age Visitor Center
(920) 533-8322

Jerry Leiterman, Forest Superintendent
Jackie Scharfenberg, Naturalist
Joan Neis, Visitors Services

Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Open 9 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Memorial Day - Labor Day; hours vary during off-season.
(262) 626-4305

Long Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Open 9 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Memorial Day - Labor Day; hours vary during off-season.
(920) 533-8612

Last Revised: Thursday March 27 2008