In 1958, the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation was established by a group of Wisconsin citizens to promote the creation of a national glacial park. As the effort to win Congressional authorization of the park gained momentum, volunteers were already at work building the first segments of the future Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The result of these efforts was the creation, in 1971, of a nine-unit Ice Age National Scientific Reserve to be administered by the State of Wisconsin in cooperation with the National Park Service. In 1980, Congress recognized the significance of the trail by designating it a National Scenic Trail.

The Ice Age Trail winds 31 miles through the length of the Forest on its 1,000-mile long journey across Wisconsin. The course of this trail is well marked by yellow blazed guideposts and follows sinuous eskers and tumbled moraines descending into bogs and deep kettles. The challenge level is moderate to difficult. Five backpack shelter campsites are located at convenient intervals along the trail for an overnight camping adventure (camping permit required). Vehicle parking lots and easy access to this trail are found along its entire length within the Forest.

Directions: From Campbellsport, WI, Take Hwy. 67 northeast to County SS. Turn southeast on County SS and proceed to County G. Head south on County G to reach Forest Headquarters. The Ice Age Trail travels throughout the park and is accessible from a number of parking areas. Forest Headquarters has maps.

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

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