Kettle Moraine State Forest -- Northern Unit
Trails

• Hiking
• Lake to Lake Bike Trail
• Off-Road Biking
• Horseback Riding
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Winter Hiking/Snowshoeing

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 1MB]

Hiking Trails

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

Butler Lake Loop [PDF 118KB]. 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.

Ice Age Trail. Forest map [PDF 1MB]. 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.

Greenbush Loop System [PDF 151KB]. 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. Hiking is not allowed on the mountain bike trails which are also located in this area for safety reasons. 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 147KB]. 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 71KB]. 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.

Tamarack Loop [PDF 124KB]. Near the the Forest Headquarters off of Highway County G, this 2 mile trail loops around Mauthe Lake

Zillmer Loop System [PDF 123KB] 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 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.

Lake to Lake Bike Trail

This 6.5-mile limestone surfaced trail connects the Mauthe and Long Lake recreation areas and passes by the village of Dundee.

This gentle trail winds through hardwood forests, prairies, conifer plantations, and lowland swamps. Forest Map [PDF 1MB].

Off-Road Bike Trails

Greenbush Loop System Map [PDF 151KB]
New Fane Loop System Map [PDF 147KB]

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 1MB]
Crooked Lake and Forest Lake Trails [PDF 131KB]
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

Greenbush

A total of 10 miles of machine-groomed cross-country ski trails are provided for diagonal and skate skiers. Pets and hiking are not allowed on ski trails.he 1.2-mile Brown Loop at Greenbush is lighted for night skiing. The trail lights can be activated by skiers nightly between 4:30 and 10 p.m. A heated log shelter house, a sledding hill, and seven miles of snowshoe trails also are open to the public at the Greenbush Recreation Area. Volunteers from the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club (NKMNSC), in cooperation with the state forest, regularly machine groom the ski trail system for diagonal and skate skiing. For more information on trail conditions and the NKMNSC call the club's trail hotline (920) 467-2099, or visit its Web site [exit DNR].

The warming shelter occasionally is used as headquarters for ski races.
DNR Photo

Greenbush Loop System Trail Map [PDF 151KB]

Zillmer Trails

A total of 9 miles of cross-country ski trails are available at the Zillmer Trail Area. Forest staff regularly machine groom the trails for diagonal and skate skiing. For current ski trails conditions in southeastern Wisconsin including Zillmer visit the Friends of Lapham Peak Web site [exit DNR].

Zillmer Loop System Trail Map [PDF 123KB]

New Fane

A total of 5.5 miles of ungroomed cross-country ski trails are available at New Fane.

New Fane Loop System Trail Map [PDF 147KB]

Snowmobile Trails

Forest Map [PDF 1MB]

The state forest has a 60-mile network of snowmobile trails which join to county and private trails connecting to adjoining towns and villages. Trails are groomed by four local snowmobile clubs under contract with the state forest. These snowmobile clubs are Crooked Trails, Greenbush Trail Blazers, Kewaskum Sno Chiefs, and New Fane Kettle Riders.

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
• Parnell Trail - 3.5 miles, intermediate to difficult
• Butler Lake Trail - 3.1 miles, easy to intermediate
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail - 31 miles, intermedidate to difficult

Pets are prohibited on designated nature trails

For More Information

Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit
Forest Headquarters
N1765 Highway G
Campbellsport WI 53010
Open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
(262) 626-2116 or

Ice Age Visitor Center
Open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekends
(920) 533-8322

Jerry Leiterman, Forest Superintendent
Jackie Scharfenberg, Naturalist
Jason Quast, Assistant Superintendent

Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Memorial Day - Labor Day, Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday - Wednesday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday. Hours vary during off-season.
(262) 626-4305

Long Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Memorial Day - Labor Day, Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday - Wednesday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday. Hours vary during off-season.
(920) 533-8612