Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit Current conditions

Conditions as of Wednesday, June 12, 2013:

Trails

Please be ready for a variety of conditions if you plan to hike this spring. The conditions of the bike and horse trails will change on a daily basis. Please call the Trail Information line for up-to-date conditions, 262-594-6202.

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.

Please Note: The water pump at the Highway 67 Ice Age Trail parking lot is currently broken. If you are backpacking through, do not count on it as a water source. The closest available water to shelter #1 is north, about 1.7 miles on the Ice Age Trail at the Scuppernong Hiking and Ski trail parking lot.

Events

See the DNR Events Calendar for a list of events at the Southern Unit and other state parks.

Nature

A highlight this time of year is the arrival of summer birds. Rose-breasted grosbeaks and orioles are in the area, and hummingbirds should be here in the next few days. When driving around the forest, be sure to keep an eye out for sandhill cranes. They are often seen around Ottawa Lake campground and in neighboring farm fields. 

Campgrounds

Campgrounds and facilities are open.

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 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, 1-877-303-WOOD (1-877-303-9663) for information before packing for a trip. For more information, see firewood facts, rules and advice or ask the park or forest office. Maps are available to view the 25-mile radius of allowable firewood on state properties.

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.

Please Note: The water pump at the Highway 67 Ice Age Trail parking lot is currently broken. If you are backpacking through, do not count on it as a water source. The closest available water to shelter #1 is north, about 1.7 miles on the Ice Age Trail at the Scuppernong Hiking and Ski trail parking lot.

Beach Monitoring

Beach monitoring is done for the season and will resume in summer. Under the beach monitoring program, counties test beaches up to four times a week for E.coli bacteria. Both Ottawa Lake and Whitewater Lake beaches are tested and results are published.

• Inland beach monitoring test results [exit DNR]

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.

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 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, or call 262-594-6200.

A new Volunteer Trails Crew is forming. There will be workdays at different locations throughout the Forest every Saturday from May 4 through September 28. Email Melanie for more information.

• On Saturday, June 8, volunteers helped install new sign posts along the entire Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail. This work included removing some old posts as well.  A big thank you to all volunteers for their hard work!

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:
  • 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).
• Bird house monitoring.

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).