Kettle Moraine State Forest, a Wisconsin State Forest located near Cedarburg, Grafton and Hartford

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST
N1765 Highway G
Campbellsport, Wisconsin 53010

Phone: 262-626-2116
Reservations: 262-626-2116

Email:

Nature of the Area

The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is located 45 minutes north of Milwaukee. Please see a Wisconsin State Highway Map and our Forest Map to determine if the suggested route will work best for you. See Current Conditions page for any detour information.

Visitors can explore and enjoy almost 30,000 acres of rolling hills, lakes, forests, and grasslands. The forest is internationally known for its unique glacial features. Pets welcome.

A great start to exploring the Forest is the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. Purchase of state park and other merchandise from their gift shop help supports the Friends of the Kettle Moraine group.

Passes

A Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas, please visit the VEHICLE ADMISSION STICKERS web page.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

Day-UseHiking Trailyes

Swimming Beachyes

CampingPrimitiveyes

Camping

Mauthe Lake Campground:

Mauthe Lake Campground has 137 sites, including 49 electrical sites, one shower building and vault toilets. The beach area features playground equipment and concessions are available for food & camping supplies, watercraft rental, and firewood.

An authentic Native American plains tepee is available for rent. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station is provided for registered campers. Mauthe Lake is open for camping year round. Call for more information.

Reservations are recommended from mid-May thru September. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757.

Long Lake Campground:

Long Lake Campground provides 200 sites, flush toilets and showers. A private concessionaire provides firewood when the entrance station is open. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station is provided for registered campers. Long Lake Campground is open for camping the first weekend in May through mid-October. Call for more information.

Reservations are recommended from mid-May through September. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757.

Backpack shelters:

Backpack shelters are available year round for rustic camping along the 31.65 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and at the Zillmer Trail. Each site offers a roofed trail shelter, fire ring and pit toilet. Registered campers may gather dead and downed trees for firewood.

These sites are not accessible by vehicle. All camping equipment must be backpacked in and all refuse packed out. A camping permit is required and you must camp at a designated shelter campsite.

Only one reservation (camping party) is allowed per site per night. Reservations are limited to ten persons per site and are limited to one night per site. Another site may be reserved for a 2nd night at a 2nd site or a 3rd night at a 3rd site. You must call Reserve America at (888) 947-2757 to make backpack shelter reservations--backpack shelter reservations cannot be made on the web.

If you do not have a reservation, you must stop in at either the Forest Headquarters, Ice Age Visitor Center or Mauthe/Long Lake Entrance Stations (when open) to obtain a camping permit. Site availability is limited for spring and fall weekends--reservations are recommended. A reservation is required for stays longer than two nights along the trail.

Greenbush Group Campground:

The Greenbush Group Campground offers nine outdoor sites which accommodate groups up to 60 individuals. Only tent camping is allowed on the actual campsite. Sites are located near the Greenbush Trails where campers can enjoy hiking or off-road biking. An enclosed shelter building, handpumps and pit toilets are available nearby. Greenbush Group Campground is open for camping April through November. Call for more information.

Reservations are required. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling toll free (888) 947-2757. Discounted camping rates for resident chartered non-profit youth groups available.

New Prospect Horseriders' Campground:

New Prospect Horseriders' Campground is centrally located on the 33-mile Bridle Trail that winds through the state forest. Campers with horses may enjoy 12 family sites, 3 group sites, a picnic shelter, drinking water and pit toilets. A 48-stall horse shelter building is available for campers, and each site includes teether posts. Call for more information.

Reservations are recommended in spring and fall. Reservations must be made through Reserve America by calling (888) 947-2757.

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Swimming

The state forest has three swimming beaches, one at Mauthe Lake and two at Long Lake. Lifeguards are not provided. Pets, soaps, food and beverages prohibited in marked swim areas.

Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation Areas are open from 6 AM to 11 PM year round. Picnic tables, grills and toilet facilities are available near the beaches. A Carry In Carry Out policy does apply at these day-use areas.

Location

Kettle Moraine State Forest is located near Cedarburg, Grafton and Hartford

Nearby Parks

Lizard Mound State Park

Jackson Marsh State Wildlife Area

Theresa Marsh State Wildlife Area

Mullet River State Wildlife Area

Pike Lake State Park

Nichols Creek State Wildlife Area

Picnicking

Kettle Moraine North has picnic tables and grills at a number of recreation and trail areas. All areas, except the campgrounds, have adopted the Carry In/Carry Out policy.

Three areas have shelters that can be reserved for group activities by phone or by mailing a form to the forest headquarters.

Trails

Butler Lake Loop:

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 located at the trailhead.

Greenbush Loop System:

On Kettle Moraine Drive, 2.5 miles north of State Hwy. 67, the Greenbush Trail is a combination of 4 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:

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:

On County Hwy. U, one quarter mile west of County Hwy 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:

On County Hwy. SS, one quarter mile west of County Hwy. G, the Zillmer Trail Area consists of 4 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 located 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:

Approximately 31 miles (PDF 32KB) of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (exit DNR) travels the length of the forest. The moderate to difficult course follows sinuous eskers and tumbled moraines descending into bogs and deep kettles.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

June 28

When I was a kid we would rent a cottage on Forest Lake and almost daily hike the Kettle Moraine Trails. Such fond memories. I hope to bring my kids there some time to hike but for now we are overseas in SE Asia. Thanks for a great park system.

June 30 Just Right

Yup, this was just right. Not too big, not too small. Quiet at night and gorgeous. Highly recommend staying here.

March 11 Horse Riders Campground in Palmyra by Julie

Great Trails. Would love to see some water crossings on trails. Also would enjoy camping more often if there was electric available on sites! And if trenching for electric, water would be nice too! And showers for people!