Wisconsin State Park System
Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit

Forest Info

Welcome

More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit, making this a popular area for a wide variety of visitors. The 3,500-acre Scuppernong River Habitat Area is the largest wet prairie east of the Mississippi River. The Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is 30 miles long, extending from the village of Dousman, Wisconsin, almost to the city of Whitewater. Forest Headquarters is 3 miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59.

• Camping
• Activities and Recreation
• Trail Descriptions
• Reservable Picnic Shelters
• Historic Sites in the Forest
• Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

Directions

The Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit is 61 miles east of Madison and 37 miles southwest of Milwaukee. The Forest Headquarters is about three miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59. Directions [PDF 27KB]

Hours

• The State Forest is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• Forest Headquarters: Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mondays - Saturdays; and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sundays
• Ottawa Lake and Whitewater Lake contact stations are open during the camping season.

Fees

• A vehicle admission sticker is required.
• A state trail pass is required for bikers, horseback riders, and skiers 16 years of age and older.
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses apply.

Concessions and Rental Equipment

Firewood and ice are available at the Whitewater and Ottawa Lake contact stations.

Friends Group

The Kettle Moraine Natural History Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping preserve the features of outstanding interest in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The Kettle Moraine Natural History Association generates financial support through gift shop sales, donations, and membership dues. It has provided matching funds for Stewardship grants. All are invited to become members. Applications for membership are available at the Forest Headquarters. Members provide vital assistance in financial support and in helping to eradicate invasive plants within the state forest.

Explore the Outdoors

Explore the Outdoors

• Visitor Center and Interpretive Programs
• Nature at Kettle Moraine South
• Wisconsin Explorer Program

Maps/Publications

Forest Maps

• Forest map [PDF, 149KB]
• Map of hunting areas [PDF, 237KB]

Campground Maps

• Horseriders' [PDF]
• Ottawa Lake [PDF]
• Pinewoods [PDF]
• Whitewater Lake [PDF]

Trail Maps

• Emma Carlin Trails [PDF, 283KB]
• Horse Trails [PDF, 468KB]
• McMiller Trails [PDF, 159KB]
• Muir Trails [PDF, 499KB]
• Nordic Trails [PD, 366KB]
• Scuppernong Trails [PDF, 132KB]

Forest Planning

• Kettle Moraine Southern Unit Master Plan [PDF 1.8MB], Approved September 1991
• Paradise Valley
• Mukwonago River Unit

Wisconsin State Park System (WSPS)

• WSPS Plans and Reports

In the Area

Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

• Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

Department of Tourism Listings

• Eagle and East Troy [exit DNR]
• Lake Geneva and Walworth County [exit DNR]

More in the Area

• Jefferson County [exit DNR]
• Waukesha County Visitors Bureau [exit DNR]
• Old World Wisconsin [exit DNR]
• McMiller Sports Center [exit DNR]