Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit
Current Conditions

Conditions as of Tuesday, January 31, 2012:

• Camping
• Hunting
• Trails
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Office Hours

Trails

Cross-country Skiing. For cross-country ski conditions, call the Trail Information Line, (262) 594-6202, or see the Friends of Lapham Peak website [exit DNR].

Once the snow falls, the Nordic and Scuppernong trail systems become our groomed cross-country ski trails, and hikers should move to the John Muir and Emma Carlin trail systems for the winter.

Hiking Trails are open. Pets, as long as they are on a leash 8 feet or shorter, are welcome on hiking trails with the exception of nature trails. Be prepared for various terrain conditions, including muddy, wet, rocky and grassy.

The mountain bike trails and horseback riding trails can close if the ground is not frozen. Please call the Trail Information Line, (262) 594-6202, for the most current trail conditions.

Remember, a state trail pass is required for anyone ages 16 and older to use the mountain bike, bridle or cross-country ski trails. No trail pass is required for hiking. A vehicle admission sticker is required in all fee use areas. The 2012 state trail passes and annual admission stickers are now available for purchase and are valid through December 31, 2012.

Events

The annual Candlelight Ski/Hike event is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2012. The event will take place on the purple loop on the Nordic Trails from 6 - 9 p.m. For this day only, hikers will be allowed on the candle-lined ski trails as well as classic skiers (no skate skiing). This event will take place even if there is not enough snow for skiing.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Learn about Wolves in Wisconsin. Larry and Emily Scheunemann will present a 1-hour program that focuses on the current status of the wolf recovery program in Wisconsin. They will describe some of the research techniques used to monitor the wolf population, including the use of tracking surveys and howling surveys. Forest Headquarters - 3 miles west of Eagle on Highway 59. Event is 7-8:30 p.m.

Campgrounds

The Ottawa Lake Campground is open year-round. Shower buildings are closed for the season. The dump station is still available to dump at, but no flush water is available at that location. Drinking water is available all winter on the side of the contact station. All other faucets have been shut off for the season.

When making reservations for the summer, please be aware that there are two large race events based out of the Ottawa Lake Campground. These events may limit availability for the weekend and change traffic patterns entering and leaving the campgrounds for short amounts of time. Events will be July 28-29 and September 15-16.

Pinewoods Campground, Whitewater Lake Family Campground, Horseriders' and the Hickory Woods Group Campground are closed for the season.

Firewood Notice: Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, firewood from out of state or from more than 25 miles away is not allowed on Wisconsin State Park or Forest properties. Also, firewood that has been in the Wisconsin emerald ash borer quarantined area [PDF 102KB] is not allowed on properties outside of the quarantined area. Please buy firewood at or near the park or forest where you are going. Call the DNR toll-free Firewood Hotline, (877) 303-WOOD ((877) 303-9663) for information before packing for a trip.

Ice Age Trail has three backpack shelters open year-round. A camping permit is required, and you must camp at a designated shelter campsite. We allow one camping party, maximum of 10 people per shelter per night. Everything is backpacked in and out. Reservations are strongly recommended for backpack shelter camping on weekends. If you do not have a reservation, we recommend calling ahead to determine availability for first-come, first-served backpack shelter camping. For more information, call (262) 594-6200.

Reservations for the campgrounds are available up to 11 months in advance, can be made for April 1 to November 30, by using the Web or by calling (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275. Reservations are highly recommended for dates in May through October, especially for weekends and holidays, and for electrical sites on any date. Camping December 1 - April 30 is done through the self-service envelopes on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of campsites are available on a first come, first-served basis during the summer, however, these sites generally fill up early.

Hunting

About 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. Target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the forest, except at the McMiller shooting Range.

Hunting at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

Hunting pressure has been light during the Muzzleloader season, but we expect to be busier for the upcoming antlerless season. Be sure to check with local ordinances before hunting in the Southern Unit. Some townships have rifle restrictions.

The last pheasants were stocked last week, so there are still a few birds left in the woods. Some hunters have been seen in the Scuppernong Prairie area.

Volunteer Opportunities

Do you want to help protect Wisconsin’s natural resources for future generations? Do you have a skill that could benefit the Forest? The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit is looking for volunteers. If you are interested in being notified of opportunities, sign up for our volunteer email list by e-mailing Amanda.

The next volunteer workday will be Saturday, February 18. Please come out and help us finish the bat houses we started this month, 9 a.m. - Noon at the Forest Shop (west of the Forest Headquarters).

Volunteer opportunities at the Southern Unit throughout the year:

• Pull invasive garlic mustard. April to June.
• Collect seeds from native plants. August to October.
• Remove invasive buckthorn trees. Fall and winter.
• Adopt-A-Trail. The forest needs trail tenders to fight invasive plants on some sections of trail, especially along:
  • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail
  • Stute Springs Nature Trail
  • All loops of the Nordic skiing and hiking trail
• Plant surveys to be completed annually to analyze the benefits of invasive plant removal (need to have strong knowledge of plant communities to complete this task).

If you would like to talk about other volunteer ideas, or if you are interested in being notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities, sign up for our volunteer email list by e-mailing Amanda, or call (262) 594-6200.

Office Hours

The Forest Headquarters, Museum, and Trading Post is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office phone number is (262) 594-6200. Stop by and learn about our glacial and cultural heritage.

For the most up-to-date information, call the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Weather [exit DNR]

For more information, ask Amanda Prange, Visitor Services Associate, or Paul Sandgren, Manager, (262) 594-6200.

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