Kettle Moraine State Forest Reviews

We've camped numerous times at the Kettle Moraine South Forest (among many other state parks in Wisconsin) and it's one of our favorites. I must admit that the Pinewoods section is the only one we'll stay in as the Ottawa Lake sites are much more open in a prairie setting and the forested sites in Pinewood are much more desirable.

Lots of great trails, good backpacking and CC skiing. I frequent the southern and northern Kettle Moraine frequently. Also a great place to go in the fall for the leaves.

Outstanding area of rolling hills and glacial formation, hard woods, lakes, streams and parks. Hiking, biking and horse trails, fishing opportunities and lot's of public hunting ground as well.

I camped at Ottawa Lake Recreational Area Aug. 2-3, 2014 and found it a pleasant experience. Once I got camp set up, I took a short bike ride to Ottawa lake, changed to swim trunks, and jumped in. Because gas motorboats are banned on Ottawa Lake, the water is nice and clean. It's certainly warmer than Lake Michigan near my home. The only shortcoming that needed attention was an overloaded trash container in a nearby men's room.

I had heard that the landscape here is so unique because of ice-age glacial activity. However, it just is not impressive looking. A few hills covered with trees was all we could see from an observation tower. The hiking trails were overgrown and very buggy. Nothing scenic. We obtained a map from the visitors center which helped us navigate the forest, but it really was a disappointing area. Maybe it is because we expected too much after we heard that this landscape is like no other place in the world.

The Boy Scout troop stayed overnight for their monthly camping experience and everyone enjoyed the time of the year and the changing foliage. Camping can be described as semi-rustic. We stayed one night and then headed to a submarine camping night for the next night.

As the name says - kettles and moraines - lots of hills and heavy woodland mixed with lower marsh areas. Wildlife abounds, trails are varied and the views are incredible.

Ottawa Park offers a sandy beach for summer swimming adjacent to the camping facilities.

Lots of farms and small towns up and down the forest edges - have lunch at one of the local taverns, spend the night at an inn.

The entire Kettle Moraine State Forest is stunning. A wonderful place to hike, bike, or drive. Especially gorgeous in the autumn, but beautiful anytime.

We came for a last minute camping trip and really enjoyed ourselves. There was so much to do we stayed another day at the southern unit campground. The kids enjoyed birdwatching with the ranger, swimming at the beach, and exploring the campground. The highlight so far is the nature hike! We saw frogs, tadpoles, birds, a huge turtle, turkeys, chipmunks, a snake and natural springs!

We enjoyed a morning drive on the Kettle Morraine Scenic Drive. Its about a 20 Minute drive from downtown Milwaukee to the town of Eagle, Wisconsin. Kettle Morraine is a very hilly drive through a State Forest

We camped here for the night after a show at Alpine Valley. It was comfortable. Reservations Sold out quiclkly but we qot lucky day off. Great lakes for a quick swim the next morning. Would love to go back and experience it all again and then some.

It is always a beautiful ride not to be missed but the fall foliage is breathtaking. You won't be disappointed.

Wonderful trails throughout the changing seasons. From small loops to connection with the 1200 mile Ice Age Trail. Pines, hardwoods, wild flowers and many animals and birds if you are quiet. A great day trip with the family or a solitary stroll.

Really great place to winter camp. Lots of solitude, birds, and other wildlife. The Ice Age Trail is an awesome Midwest hiking destination; we loved the rolling hills and technical descents... Highly recommended at any time, but gorgeous in the middle of a wintry snow storm.

If you like hiking, biking, kayaking the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit is for you. Not only can you camp there, but they have great activities for all ages. Recently they had a Halloween Nature Hike in the Long Lake Recreation Area. Volunteers dressed up as forest creatures helped to educate the kids but also was great fun. Trails were lite with luminaries, each hike is guided so everyone comes back safe to the bonfire, popcorn and hot apple cider. After the hike kids can visit the craft tent and the game tent. The trail is paved so strollers and handicap can participate. Looking forward to the Winter Evening hike. If you have a state forest sticker the event is free. What a wonderful way to spend and evening with family.

Recently some friends and I decided to take one last camping trip to Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest In Cambellsport WI. We were harrassed so serverlly by park rangers that we were forced to leave at 9:00pm at night and would not let us pull our cars out until he searched every last one. These park rangers or "DNR COPS" were hiding behind trees spying on us while we cooked our dinner, while we sat around our fire, they followed us down to the lake.. They constantley frequented our site to remind us and ensure us that any minor slip up would result in our "EVICTION"!!! I have never been more angry with law enforcement or so called law enforcement in my life.I WILL BE TAKING THIS TO THE TOP AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST IS S***

100% enjoyed this forest. Good amenities for semi rustic tent camping. What I loved was the unique landscape! Every half mile we were enjoying something new. Lakes, marshes, forest, prairie, and glacier create peaks and mound (most of which (except for moraines) I have forgotten the names of). It was a perfect get away from the city.

Whether you drive, bicycle or walk through the Kettle Moraine State Forest area, it changes from season to season. The changes involve the flora and fauna, from the sand hill cranes, the deer, the wild turkeys, plus all those other little varmints, as well as majestic trees, which in autumn, are spectacular. The Forest can be described, but the best way is to experience it yourself.

The camping site was fine, nothing too exciting no shade but served its purpose. However the bathrooms at long lake in the 700 section were worse than a bar bathroom on a weekend. The floors were so slippery without signs. No toilet paper. Hair everywhere. No papertowels. It was simply gross.

I live right at the edge of the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest. There are endless areas to explore. Hiking, snowshoeing, swimming, biking. I've been here for nearly 20 years and still haven't seen it all. Check out the Ice Age Center near Dundee.

The vast Kettle Moraine region in Wisconsin is a peaceful, quite and very scenic range of hiking and walking trails which changes with the season and is always a joy to visit.

I love this place - it gives me a sense of wonder and peace and serenity. Get outdoors & enjoy Kettle Moraine!

This is a great place to do any type of hiking. I've been here in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Great hiking Trails!

The Kettle Moraine has great hiking trails that are beautiful in all seasons. Myself and family have camped in several of the camp grounds. There is swimming and just about anything you would want in Wisconsin outdoors.

Beautiful and so close! Great for a quick get away. Hiking poles are helpful for parts of the trail.

We stayed at the Pinewoods Campground. The check in with the front desk was easy, our spot (283) had enough room for all 3 of our tents (2 small and 1 large), and we were connected directly to the Scuppernog Trails. Great place for a weekend camping trip.

Ottowa lake was nearby as well and we enjoyed some beach time there, although it was very busy with families when we went.

Always a great place to go whether for a run, walk or just to explore WI nature at its best.

geologically unique, very beautiful to drive or hike through

There's not much I can write here, but the park is beautiful even in the winter, we went for a hike and spent an hour on the Ice Age trail, which has some steep hills and flat plains to walk across as well as wooded areas. So you're able to get all sorts into your walk. Sadly we didn't see much wildlife, flora or fauna, but what do you expect when you go hiking in the winter?! haha!
The frozen lakes and snow was beauty in itself, so we would recommend this place for those who love a walk in the outdoors, its a peaceful place.

I decided to take the road less traveled throughout the forest by finding the tallest peak and making the hiking trek without walking the paths. It was exhilarating - sights and sounds I otherwise wouldn't have seen. Lots of deer crossing my path and other animals I couldn't even specify. I had to make "bridges" for myself to cross over all the water we got earlier this months. I recommend climbing the tower for the best view - easy for little ones to climb as well.

I used to live about half an hour away from the Kettle Moraine State Park so I've visited many times at different times of year. The fall is absolutely gorgeous!! Just driving through the park on the scenic drives at peak color season is a fantastic experience. There is a trail to the Parnell Tower which I highly recommend at any time of year. It is a 3.5 mile loop trail and the tower is 60 feet high. On a clear day you can see twenty five miles across the state park and the surrounding countryside, including Sheboygan and Lake Michigan. There are also a lot of other trails and lakes where you can picnic, grill, boat, and fish.

Great place to go for a hike. I head out to Kettle Moraine South and North many times a year to hike, snowshoe, camp, mountain bike and just to relax. It's not far from the city of Milwaukee and a great place to escape to.

Take your motorcycle and enjoy this lovely Wisconsin road. Stop along the way and enjoy the scenery. Lots of traffic ride safe.

The southern unit is a repeated pleasure. Whether hiking or just going out for a drive, it is always beautiful and enjoyable.

Miles and miles of trails that weave in and out of beautiful forests and up and down the moraines and eskers (if I got the the geologlical terms right). Perfect training for going out west and climbing in the mountains.

The Kettle Moraine has a north and a south unit, and I've spent a lot of time camping and hiking in both. The areas are unique in that it's a part of Wisconsin that was created by glaciers melting and dumping stuff, so the trails are all up and down (holes and hills, or kettles and moraines). Wisconsin beats any other state in the quality of their state parks and forests. The campgrounds are beautiful. The walking-hiking trails are numerous. They vary in length and difficulty. Bring sturdy shoes, as the terrain is pretty rocky.

Camp on a quiet loop. It's a nice palce especially to share with friends. We like Pine woods.

If you like hiking, biking, trail riding, this place is for you, especially if you also enjoy what nature has to offer with many rare plants. Easy access to Ice Age trail. Camp sites available upon reservation.

We camped at Ottawa Lake campground with kids. Camp site was very nice and large. Trees around were not too tall. Encountered no animal during our 3 day 2 night stay. Plenty of water fountains and flash toilets with showers. Water in showers very hot. Not relaxing at all.

Ottawa lake beach was walking distance from our camp site. During our stay beach was closed due to high bacteria level. We did fishing instead, which was also walking distance. We also went to Rice Lake beach. It was excellent for kids and adults on a hot summer day.

Entire are is very scenic. Lots of green. We liked it very much.

Store at camp site sales ice and wood. Very convenient.

We are thinking of going back again next year. Reserve early as this is very popular for camping.

Very scenic. I like riding my Harley on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Ride from Whitewater Lake to Elkhart Lake. The route is very clearly marked. All the state parks in the area require a park sticker. The parks all have walking trails and primitive restroom facilities, and picnic areas.

From the Ranger Station to the beautiful trails, this is a prime bit of Wisconsin forest. Be sure to see the exhibits at the South Unit Headquarters building.

LOVE this park. Frequent it throughout the winter for cross country skiing (HILLS GALORE) and snowshoeing. The hilliness is a bit freaky on my skiis but exhilarating. Beautiful spring, summer and fall hiking. SCENIC!

We've been going to the beach at Whitewater Lake for years, but had never really used much else of the park. After a last minute cancellation on a canoeing trip we decided to check out the campground, and we were so glad we did! We got a group campsite and really had a blast. Large site, far away from the neighbors, good toilets (for pit toilets that is!) Everyone at the ranger station was friendly when we checked in. Definantly going back!

Great place for a quiet retreat .....horseback riding, or communing with nature

We spent this Father's Day camping in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine, Eagle, WI. This was our 1st time ever camping in the Kettle Moraine area! We were lucky enough to get a tip from some friends about this area last summer. We reserved a site at Ottawa Lake Campground. Hint: Book 6months to a Year in advance! We booked this in January 2013! Campgrounds in the Kettle are booked full thru the summer weekends! If you can get away during the week, then this campground is a must! Electric sites are hard to come by and these are my only choice. If you prefer tent camping in the heavy wooded area: pick a site at Pine Woods Campground, 4 miles away. Pinewoods camp is also a beautiful, non electric(not for Me)camp with a large extensive bathroom, and has a row of private showers. Pinewoods is considered perfect for families. No pets allowed and no radios, or reception, so quiet hours at all time! Stunning camp as well, just not for this Camper! Either Camp you pick, there are a few sites set aside for walk-ins for 1st come, 1st serve basis. My favorite place to camp now is Ottawa Lake. Beautiful large sites w/sun & shade. Super clean washrooms and tons of them in the campground and on trails to beach and lakes. Hot showers. Laundry facility, office, small camp store, park, and lake with swimming beach, fishing pier, boat ramp for non-motor boats, and breathtaking views of the prairies and ice age forests. Perfect for everyone! Young, old, families, bird watchers, fishers, & pet lovers. Pets are allowed in Camp Ottawa. Most sites are leveled w/gravel and plenty of grass on most. Perfect for tents or RV's. Plenty of prairie grass, shrubs, & trees for privacy around each camp site. Friendly staff everywhere. Including the front gate, the Hosts, & the Rangers! Always a plus to Me! Cannot believe the majestic beauty just out our back door! Everyday was filled with birds singing, sand cranes, hawks, wild turkeys, ice age bike trails, hikes to the bald bluff(1500 feet a must see!) and dips in the beach to relax and unwind! There is so much to do and see so we plan to start making day trips as well now that we have a Wisconsin State Park Sticker($35) which is required for camping but well worth the yearly fee. We can enjoy any of the Wisconsin State Parks! There is a day pass You can purchase but I suggest to go with the Year Pass. You will not be disappointed and will want to return!

Camp ground offers a real outdoor flavor. The sites are large so you have some privacy. Most sites have electric service for RV. Lots of hiking, nice swimming area & great dog beach! Good place for quiet time to unwind!

We love to ski the cross country trails...and it is a pure joy! We have been going there for years and it never dissappoints.
The new shelter is an added bonus, and the wood burning stove warms the heart as well as the hands.

On a cool fall day NOTHING beats a horseback ride through Kettle Moraine Forest. We laughed til we cried with the ride. The scenery is breathtaking. The colors of fall truely show off in the forest. Don't miss this place in the fall.

For all you hiking enthusiasts, Kettle Moraine is an ideal location. We hiked several trails in the southern unit. We hiked the Emma Carlin trail- beautiful. It has marshes, prairies, various foliage. The hike has some hills but overall it is manageable. A must see!

I set out to hike the Emma Carlin trail in the Southern Unit. If you like solitude, this is the place for you! I hiked 6 miles and didn't see a single soul! It was drizzling when I first got there, so the trail was closed for biking. The trail is hilly and there are some obstacles, but that made it fun. . There are a lot of tall, twisty, moss-covered trees. It was really quiet and peaceful. Be careful of the mosquitoes!

I can't say enough about this extraordinary place. So many remnants of the mile-thick glacier that once covered this area--and only about an hour from Milwaukee. State parks and lakes to swim in--woodland trails to hike on--be sure to visit the Ice Age Museum--a great place for kids--you'll all learn so many amazing things about glaciers, landscape features, animals--
and there are free short films to view. The drive takes you through several charming small towns, and beautiful scenery.
A definite must-see!!

My husband and I took a 3-day get-away to Wisconsin. We are outdoor enthusiasts. Kettle Moraine State Forest is a beauiful area, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. We went to the visitor's center to get a map. They were very helpful and the center has a small museum and clean facilities. We decided to hike in the southern part of the forest on the New Fane trails. These trails are criss-crossed by mountain biking trails. Although we are experienced hikers and have hiked through the west, we chose the "more difficult" rather than the "most difficult" trail (there were 4 levels of difficulty). It was a nice walk through the forest and not that difficult, although the mountain biking path seemed more so. I would recommend doing the scenic drive and if you are a hiker, choosing the "most difficult" trails.

I love to walk, Not so much hike. But the Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook was doable for a non hiker like myself! Glad I decided to go on the trail!

We started the Fall kettle moraine scenic drive in Elkhart Lake and our plan was to follow the Acorn Kettle Moraine Scenic signs, plus we had a print out of every turn along the way. We headed south and the drive itself is very beautiful with rolling hills and beautiful fall colors. Half way into the drive the signs slowly got harder to find and finally we got off the path 2 times. Luckily we had the Google maps running to try to follow our paper print of the route. Took us start to finish to East Troy about 4 hours and the drive is beautiful but have a back up plan for the poor Kettle Moraine Signs.

Kettle Moraine State Forest is beautiful! I stayed here with my son and a friend overnight and we really enjoyed the campground, which is very clean and has a bathroom with showers plus hot and cold running water. Washers and dryers are also available. People are quiet and respectful. The campground host is very helpful and sells firewood. There is a small lake there, very swimmable, equipped with picnic tables and a playground. Good for day trips or overnights stays at the campground. We hiked the Scuppernong Trail, which is beautiful but very buggy. Lots of mosquitoes, so be sure to spray beforehand, especially around the small creek. Good trail for people of all ages.

We did a summer hike in the South Unit. I was great. Bring some bug spray in the summer.

Payment was a bit of trouble for an out of town person, no envelopes at the booth. Bring correct change.

Long and winding roads, well paved. Turn at each Rustic Road Sign and you will enjoy the ride.

We decided on a whim to take a Friday night trip the last weekend of September 2012. Since Kohler-Andrae and Harrington Beach State Parks were both full, we ventured up to Kettle Moraine North, Long Lake Rec Area. I knew the colors would be nice, and that the campground would be kept up - as most WI state parks are, but I knew nothing other than that. We got there late (after 9pm), so registration was closed. No problem, self-registration is easy. However, the firewood sales were also closed, which was a problem, considering we had not brought any due to the Emerald Ash Borer concerns. My husband had to go all the way to Plymouth (not a short drive on country roads...) to get wood. That really was a pain.

Once he got back, though, we were able to set up our tent (I had been left back in the dark with the kids...), and cook our food. The fire pit was nice, though the grate was pretty mangled, so it would've been hard to cook food using a pan (we were using skewers). We were a short walk to the bathroom and running water, and our site was at least 20-30 yards away from the ones next to us, which was nice. Partly wooded, but just open enough to let the sun shine through in the morning.

We drove around the park the next day, for future trips, and we will definitely be back. Long Lake has a really nice little beach area, as well as numerous picnic areas and, obviously, trails to hike/bike. We stayed in the 900s, which is where I would recommend, as in the 600s-800s the sites were a little closer together, smaller, and not as shaded.

We will definitely be back!

I visited the State Forest and did some snowshoeing this winter! It was an easy trail as it was groomed! Nice for an easy and beautiful stroll. Saw lots of wildlife including about a dozen deer!

Really great place to hike or bike and it was especially beautiful with all the leaves changing colors. A place to definitely visit again

southern kettle moraine near eagle wi. Beautiful trails open meadows, hard wood forest. No one is a on the trails

This is definitely the place to drive through if you want to catch all of the colors of fall in southeastern Wisconsin.

I've explored so many of these trails from John Muir - to running the Ice Age 50 miler - and others. 2 weeks ago, my wife and I did the Scuppernong Trail. It was her first time. There doesn't seem to be a site specific to each trail. Yet, I'll focus this review on that trail.

There are several different trail lengths - and you can mix and match. There is a good, detailed trail map on their website. We did the full outer loop - 5 miles counting the overlook. Many rolling hills. Varied terrain: sand, rocky areas, packed dirt, and even some mildly grassy areas. Varied foliage. Some places had bushes. Some had deciduous trees. There was also a couple long rows of pine trees. A few benches throughout. Took us three hours with a few stops to just take it all in. There are rest rooms at the start/finish and some picnic tables.

I drove over 2 hours to mountain bike Emma Carlin/John Muir at Kettle Moraine. As best I can describe, being from further north would be to take the tougher, more technical parts of Standing Rocks, condense it down to 5 miles and you have Emma Carlin. Much wetter and slippery because of an over night rain fall which made it rather tough. Lots of hills here too. Some of which I didn't tackle. Met a lot of hikers coming from the other direction which sometimes ruined your momentum. Couldn't ride John Muir the next day because of constant rain. I'll return. Good, tough trail riding.

God gave us a marvelous gift along the West side of Lake Michigan. There is sunny, shady, wet and dry. Take your pick. Incridable trails and even free education.

Beautiful area for hiking, biking and motorcycle riding. Gorgeous hardwood trees everywhere you look.

Love that campground - lots of pinetrees, paved roads for children to ride their bikes.
Campsites are secluded from each other = more privacy.
very quiet and not far from various hiking trails. Will definitely go back!

This area - both northern & southern units - offers a great day trip from Milwaukee or Madison. Highway 67 offers twists, turns, beautiful scenes, and plenty of wildlife. A great drive!

very lucky to have such a beautiful state forest so close by, great biking trails, nice camping sites

Hiked the Orange Loop of the Nordic Trail Head today with a friend. 2.5 miles of generally flat trails with some gently rolling hills in a beautifully wooded area with a large pond/small lake on a sunny day. It went by so quickly. A good introduction to the trails in this area, will definitely be back to check out the Green Loop for an additional mile (we weren't ready to make the jump to the 9mi hike on the Blue Loop).

We were followed for a short bit by a man on a machine that was keeping the trails looking nice. My kind of job.

Most of the standing pine areas of the trail have been thinned; lots of open area between trees covered in mulch that I assume came from the trees that were cut down.

Adequate parking. The pay station was unmanned when we arrived on a weekday midday (self-pay in envelopes).

Have driven through south Kettle Moraine on a GoldWing numerous times, just beautiful roads. Fall colors can't be beat. Not alot of traffic. The camping areas we have stopped in near Whitewater to overlook scenery and lake are very nice. Am anxious to do northern Kettle Moraine when the weather warms up.

It's just so good to be in nature. Love the respect the DNR has shown to the topography; love the scenic ride signs; love to ski cross-country in winter; all of the seasons have their special features. Enjoy camping at Mauthe Lake; nature walks at Butler Lake and Mauthe Lake; the new trail that goes from Mauthe Lake to Long Lake; as well as the Nature Center near Dundee

Grab your bike, walking shoes and food there are many options and fun to be had. With the bike and walking trails to other options this place is cool and easy to get to.

Get out of your car and see the moraines. Excellent hikes for everyone. Bring a lunch to share after your hike and make memories.

Some good trails to hick and see a view. Some difficult trails as well. Had a good time hiking and enjoying friends company!

Besides the Great Lake, THIS is why we live here. Rolling kettles and tons and tons of paths, trees and unpopulated nature make WI the new Colorado.

We went with the purpose of walking the trails as a family. You can choose between an under hour pass for $5, an all day pass for $8, or a membership for $28. The park is conveniently located off highway 94, exit 285 Delafield. Park officials were very friendly and helpful, providing us a map. We walked the paved trail, which was 1.8 miles. There were families, couples, and singles walking it. There are many donated benches along the trail. It was well kept. We saw 2 deer families, wild turkeys, rabbits, and visited the butterfly garden. We hear that it is excellent for snow shoeing and cross country skiing in the winter.

Wisconsin nature at its best. Ancient records. You have to see it for yourself. Watch out in mosquito season though.

Spent the day hiking mauthe lake and the Zillmer trail. The first stop was the ice age center where we got a good education on the glacier that created this lovely area. Colors where almost gone but still a good hike.

The campground: Sites are nice. Each site has 2 corrals, but be prepared, they are very tiny. The host is extremely friendly. The pit toilets are decent and seemed decently clean. The only downfall is no water to hook up to on site, otherwise we really enjoyed the camping. We camped at site #8 and it was perfect for us.

The trails: We were prepared for some rocks, but they were much, much more rocky than we expected. There are areas that don't have rocks, but the areas that do are bad, and you are going to have to go through rocks to get to any trails without rocks. All of the hills we encountered were extremely rocky. For me, it was much too rocky to go back without shoes (or easy macs).

The bugs were to be expected, but not as bad as we anticipated based on other reviews. Used Cashel easy ride masks and sprayed really well. The lead horse was swarmed but the rest seemed to be ok. Just be prepared to douse yourself in OFF multiple times.

Enjoyed the campground, but wasn't impressed with the trails due to the rocks. There are so many great places in WI that have amazing trails and great campgrounds that I don't know if we will ever go back.

Southern unit has wonderful long walking, hiking , xcountry ski, horse riding, biking trails something for everyone. Hike up to bald bluff where black hawk Indians had signal fires in years past, paradise springs, Ottawa lake, scuppernong and wonderful natural areas in Eagle and Palmyra and near Dousman. LaGrange has a bicycle shop with delicious food. Towering pines, lovely moraines and kettles, a feast for the eyes. Abundant wildlife and pretty fields of flowers..so beautiful in the fall. A must see!

this is a great place to visit in the fall, to see the fall colors, wildlife. it is a nice scenic roadway .

A short distance from Highway 94, between Madison and Milwaukee, Lapham Peak is a very nice park. Big hills, old trees, a lookout tower to climb and electric bathrooms / warming house near the parking lot. There are also pit toilets in strategic locations. We hiked this time, but cross country ski, snow shoe and bike there,seasonally. People were also geo-cashing, dog walking, and socializing.You need a state park sticker on your car to park ($25 annually for residents of Wisconsin for the first one, $12.50 for second of same household).
Friendly rangers, a couple of places to hike in and tent camp, a stage and other parts that we have not even explored - it is a BIG place. Go outside and play there!

This is one of my favorite places in wisconsin when I was growing up, and I love going back when I'm in the area visiting family. It is great for taking the family for a lovely nature hike that ends with a huge tower overlooking the trees!!! Great picnic areas too!! Just Make sure to take your bug spray with you. It is Wisconsin after all, but so worth it!!!

Pretty country with interesting geology. I did a portion of the southern part of the scenic drive and was underwhelmed by the the guide printed from the internet site. It was very detailed but hard to follow and didn't really spotlight the highlights. Someone should write a better guide to help ditzos like me to find the best spots and sights. (maybe they have). The roads included in the scenic drive are heavily travelled by bustling traffic and this does not facilitate an ambling sort of drive or sightseeing. The Wisconsin rustic roads, of which I saw one in this area, are better bets for a pleasant drive in the country.

I like the trails at Kettle Moraine South Unit, but I think the camping is nicer at the northern unit. This should specify that this is the southern unit! We camped here a lot when I was a kid, because there are easier trails that are definitely little kid friendly. In the fall you can enjoy fantastic foliage coloring, and it's definitely worth checking out on a day trip.
The northern unit is spread over a much larger area with many different locations within a short driving distance to hike/ ski/ mountain bike. Mauthe Lake, and Long Lake are great spots to camp at if you like swimming. The southern unit doesn't have the convenient swim areas right there near your campsite.
If you have a state park sticker admittance is free. I believe camping is 12 a night? I never remember...

I remember having a great time going up as a Scout and camping back in the day and I suggested that a few friends should go up for a weekend to visit the area again. Only a few hours from Chicago, this was a great weekend getaway. We stayed in the southern unit, west of Milwaukee in the Ottawa Lake Campground. It was nearly booked to capacity when I made the reservation a week before we left.

The camp sites where nice and I was pleasantly surprised that our site was very private. There was ten foot high brush isolating us from our neighbors. There is also a general store located in the campground with firewood and snacks. The facilities were perfectly adequate with clean bathrooms and clean showers with hot water.

We played some volleyball and visited the lake to go for a swim. The lake was in fine condition and there were a few boaters and plenty of people on inflatable chairs floating out on the lake. It was a little crowded and lots of kids running around.

There was tons of hiking to do, however we only made it to one of the trails which was shaded, which was great because it got very hot during the day. I believe it was the one with the Indian hill. We did have to drive to find it though. The trails nearby the camp ground where flat and in open fields. Tons of little squirrels running around but other then that, no real wildlife was spotted.

I drove the north segment of the 115 mile scenic drive starting at Elkhart Lake. It was so scenic with all the leaves changing color. I stopped at several places along the well marked route. Don't miss Parnell Tower if you have the time and are able to climb a lot of stairs. From there you see a blanket of color that you may never forget. The picnic areas are well maintained, but there are no trash cans and very few places to get drinks or food so come prepared. There are numerous hiking trails. You will need a state park pass or sticker to park anywhere but there are self pay stations at many locations. The outhouses are minimal- you get a pit and toilet paper but no running water that I saw. There is a great general store at Mauthe lake and they have fishing gear, ICE CREAM, and canoe rental. Great way to spend a fall day!

We just spent 4 nights in the Pike Lake Unit of the Forest. We have a 32' travel trailer and our site (#29) was spacious with a large approach for easy back-in. The site has electric. No water in the site, but there is potable water at the dump station about 100 yards away. The campground is clean and in good condition. The sites are large with nice space and foliage between. There are fire pits with a grate and a large picnic table in each site.

The sites near the entrance (#s 1-3) and exit of the camping loop (#s 28 & up) are much less shaded, and the rest are pretty much completely covered. The host is in #22 with ice and firewood for sale there. We did not use any of the restroom facilities, so I cannot comment on those. Ranger, DNR and even the Hartford police made regular trips through the campground to ensure things were in order.

We did have good phone service (Sprint), but data varied in speed from LTE to 1X. That being said, we didn't have an issue with accessing email or social media. You may not be able to stream, however, if that is something you do.

There are several miles of beautiful and well maintained hiking trails, and Pike Lake Beach is a 5 minute drive. You can get to a large grocery store in about 10 minutes, if you need to.

Overall, this is a fantastic location with great activities. We will definitely return and will recommend this park to others.

Took the kettle morraine scenic drive when all the leaves had changed colors. Beautiful and totally worth the day drive. Recommended in the fall!

Really enjoyed camping here. We have made it an annual thing. Some of the best hikes we have enjoyed were Summit Trail on the north unit (you'll have to go through the upper-900s campground to get to the trailhead) and Suppernong Trail on the southern unit.

Sweet hiking. A bit of up and down but not strenuous. A lot of different trees. Trails are very open. Didn't see a lot of wildlife on this trip--nor a lot of people too. Check it out.

We have been to Mauthe Lake many times when I was growing up. We camped for three weeks at a time in this Kettle Maraine state park. We would drive over to Long Lake or Crooked Lake as well to enjoy the fishing.

I used to live on the border of this forest and took daily walks into it. It is nature at it's finest. Much has been done to preserve it in it's natural form. The DNR is to be commended for it's efforts.

Paradise Springs is an extremely easy hike/walk. You would be able to take a stroller or wheel chair and see almost everything. A must see if you go to Kettle Moriane . We went during the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. They had the drinking fountains and restrooms closed for safety precautions. Was nice to see it taken seriously but still able to enjoy the outdoors.

Great-smelling air and pleasant scenery for a low-key, easy day trip from Chicago. The park stretches to encompass many geologic features of glacier activity and a section of the Ice Age Trail, which will be 1000 miles across Wisconsin. The visitor center is called Forest Headquarters, about three miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59. Basic geology and history exhibits in the small museum (and 30-minute video shown upon request) describe how glacial activity created many of the lakes and ridges in Wisconsin, that the isthmus in Madison where the state capitol sits is actually a drumlin. This park contains some of the best examples of geologic features like eskers, terminal moraine, and cone hills, which I had only seen in Earth Science textbooks before. The geology makes the park have interesting terrain and many trails for hiking, mountain-biking, and winter sports at varying levels of difficulty, plus camping and fishing. Personally, I was quite satisfied just to take a break from the city with a really easy nature hike where I got eyeball-to-eyeball with a pair of chipmunks, and driving through some pretty countryside spotting herons, buzzards, and red-wing blackbirds.

Kettle Moraine Park North Unit is northwest of Milwaukee, a longer drive from Chicago. My wife tells me that the Ice Age geology exhibits and movie at the visitor center of the North Unit are even better than the South Unit.

We've visited the southern unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest several times within the past year. The scenery is absolutely wonderful whether you visit during summer, fall, or winter. We went cross-country skiing on the John Muir trails a couple times this winter. The trails are well groomed and offer a good variety, though the difficulty level ramps up pretty quickly from the easier trails to the intermediate trails. The same trails offer very good hiking during the summer months. The Ice Age Trail runs through the state forest as well and provides some beautiful scenery. A visit to Kettle Moraine State Forest is definitely a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

My son and I went to the Ice Age Center and hiked in the kettles Labor Day weekend. The staff at the center were informative and friendly! We had a wonderful day.

I like the park. We booked a campsite back in February. There were no electric sites available. So we requested a permit to run a generator due to our age( seniors) They issued us a permit and we ran the generator reasonable times during the day. But we were not welcome by the camp hosts So if they don’t want you to run a generator they should not give you a permit

We usually go to northern kettle moraine to hike with our dogs. Takes us an hour around the longest trail. There are also designated biking trails in the area. Awesome scenery.

Kettle Moraine is a beautiful place. We cross country ski here and also snow shoe. In the fall it is a great place to hike, the colors are awesome. There are a variety of trails for every interest. Every season this is the place to be. Cost, just a state park sticker!

i took a trip to kettle moraine with high expectations coz i heard abt it alot. well i was little disappointed. nothing unique, it has trails just like any other place. i was excited to take pics but didnt find anything breathtaking.

Enjoyed every inch of exploring at Lapham Peak. What a wonderful forest so close to Milwaukee and Madison.

wonderful trails, a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city

We backpacked to this shelter from the parking lot on County Hwy H, about 8 miles. The shelter is nice to keep you from the elements, but it is very rustic. There are no shutters on the windows, so if it rains, it could come in. The raised bed platform is single wide and thus you cannot roll or move much. You also have a dirt floor that is not entirely level. As for fire wood, you can look around for it or you can walk 1 mile to Mauthe Lake Campground and pay $5 for a rack. You also need to go to Mauthe Lake if you need water too. The shelter is up on a hill and has a nice secluded feel to it. Definitely worth the effort and nice place to keep you out of the elements, but not the bugs...or bats.

First timer it was amazing the views were awesome the trails were like never ending .A really nice nature walk

Well-groomed trails. Beautiful place to hike. Especially nice in the fall when the leaves are turning.

We visited the Kattle Moraine in our foliage tour with friends. We had a nice walk, this place has beautiful landscapes and it's very peaceful.
We did the green trek on the nordic trail and it was totally OK, it's not hard at all at about 3.5 miles.
I think that this place deserve a walk, specially in the fall, it's beautiful to see the trees changing they colors.

Beautiful winding roads. Lots of places to hike, lakes. Perfect if you're out for a ride on a summer day on your motorcycle.

We really enjoyed our stay at Long Lake in Kettle Moraine Northern Unit. It's beautiful and liked our actual camp site in the 800's.

Great bathroom facilities. Were they the cleanest, no, but still clean enough with actual plumbing, showers and toilet paper. Very nice for a campground.

The guy who checked us in was not very forth-coming with information. I told him it was our first trip here and expected to get a little help with where to find things or at least a map. I had to ask for the map and tried to get out of him something that might help me navigate it. Such as, where drinking and washing water was in relation to our campsite, or where dogs can and can't go (and by the way, dogs cannot go to any of the beach/picnic areas on the lake, which I understand, but was a bummer), but he gave me the map and a look like, "good bye". As a former Concierge, it would have been nice for a little direction and information (and he wasn't busy).

They have firewood for $5 (need cash). It's all on your honor to pay it and they have a guide for how much to take. Again, had to ask the guy about it and pull out the details. However, no kindling or small pieces (at least we didn't gather any, so I suggest you scour the firewood shed for some) and you have to bring something to haul it. Thankfully, I'm resourceful and had a picnic blanket. For people who camp all the time, I'm sure you know these things, but when you're new to camping, its all a learning curve.

Still, we had a great time, this is a beautiful place, and we will consider going back next year.

Kettle moraine state forest is a great place for hiking, swimming, kayaking and horseback riding. Although there is a lot of poison ivy and the lake could be a little bit clearer overall it is one of the best state parks Wisconsin.

This is a beautiful, well maintained trail. The fall colors are great. There are several different loops with varying distances and difficulty levels. There are also different types of trails for a variety of activities, including snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and biking. Leashed dogs are allowed on certain loops. There is a park fee to park within the forest and use the bike trails (16 and older). Day and hourly passes are available for purchase at the park. The fee is higher for non-state residents. This forest also offers campgrounds, swimming, and boat launches, and an observation tower along one trail.

Although this is a large enough state park to do a lot more outdoor activities like hiking and such, we spent our time camping and going on the bicycle trail - a Rails-to-Trails path.

First, we thought the campgrounds were great. We stayed in Pinewoods (one among four sites in the northern section of Kettle Moraine) which featured a hike-in site where we stayed. Although lugging our stuff from the car to the site via the wooded trail was a bit of work, it was well worth it as our little site (#151) was a small clearing surrounded by forest - no other campers nearby to listen to, nor cars to hear passing by!

The bathrooms were also nice and featured individual shower stalls that lock from the inside; yeah its concrete and utilitarian, but the stalls were spacious and clean and had hot water. Like many other campgrounds, the main office (in Ottawa campground) has firewood and ice and Pinewoods had them for sale from the host.

As far as the trail, we brought our bikes with and drove from the campground about 15-20 minutes away to the town of Dousman, where we started the end of the paved trail east out to Waukesha and back again, about 25 miles round-trip. Great scenery if you enjoy a long bike ride with several charming hamlets along the way. There were a few hills but nothing too daunting, it was mostly a level path. The trail also continues all the way west to Madison, which is paved with crushed stone instead of pavement past Dousman. Didn't do that portion though as we ran out of time our last day.

All in all, I'd recommend Kettle Moraine and will likely be back to check out the hiking and see the rest of the park.

This state forest is split between the north section (roughly 45 minutes north of Milwaukee) and a south section (about 45 minutes southwest of Milwaukee. Our family has enjoyed traveling the rustic roads in fall, swimming at the shallow sandy bottomed lakes in summer and hiking or cross-country skiing thru the hilly woods in winter. This is a unique geological part of Wisconsin created and carved out by the glaciers of the last ice age, so lots of fun for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.

I wanted to see the abandoned structures, Indian campsite, spring water bubbling up from underneath sand and the numerous springs all listed in the self-paced guide and I wasn't disappointed. You may want to bring boots for the muddy parts of the trail, but they aren't necessary for much of the path, unless you go there after a big rain. This is a nice, easy hike with beautiful landscape to see along the way. Some forest area, some prairie, wooden boardwalks take you out into the water area. The only drawback was that part of it borders a well-trafficked street and loud motorcycles and vehicles go by, ruining the peaceful nature of the hike. But it's a bit of a hidden gem, so there's not a lot of people on the trails, so you have it mostly to yourself. We heard and saw some Catbirds in the area, along with Blue Jays and migrating warblers. Look for the Batman bat house! While watching the bubbling springs, I got the sense that I was a satellite looking down on a strange planet out in the galaxy, watching the weather patterns on the surface. The way the sand moved almost looked like it was intelligent and trying to communicate, you certainly don't see sand doing that in every day life!

nice place to hike,bike, horseback ride. beautiful groomed trails, some open year round for cross country skiing or snow shoeing.

We recently drove up to Mauthe lake in order to ride the Lake to Lake trail. The trail is 6.8 miles long and goes through both wooded and open prairie areas with very little gradient. While it is mostly very quiet and secluded there are a few miles that go right along a road so it's not as peaceful as say the Glacial-Drumlin trail. We rode to Long lake and back and then made the mistake of grabbing a bite to eat at the food shack/cantina in the Mauthe lake park area. Service is exceedingly slow (it took 10 minutes to get a chili dog and there was no one else in line!) and the food is lousy! I ordered a chili dog without cheese and after sitting there for 10 minutes it came covered in what? Cheese! Later my wife and daughter wanted ice cream so we ordered the "jumbo" ice cream sandwiches. What a mistake. Apparently they make these ahead of time with vanilla soft serve and then freeze them. The result is just awful, they're hard, icy and not at all enjoyable. So while the ride was nice and the beach area is fun, be sure to pack a lunch!

This review is specifically toward the Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Park. Our family enjoys this area immensely. We have visited on four different occasions over the past year, the most recent being July 15, 2012.
The lake area is clean and the swimming area is large. A great place to spend the afternoon with your family. You can bring floaties into the lake. The lake bottom is rocky, so sometimes we bring water shoes. We've never had a problem with fish biting. The kids love to play in the sand.
Also - the hike up Powder Hill to the observation tower is challenging and unique. I've done it twice now. There are some great geocaches along the trails in this park - including Wisconsin's oldest geocache!
There is a newer trail with a fishing pier, and some great wildflowers and natural areas.
We will come back again and again.

First things first: in various parking lots there is a paybox for your entry to the park if you don't have a park sticker on your car. PAY THIS BEFORE ENTERING FOR YOUR HIKE. The rangers come around every hour or so and collect the pay envelopes and compare them to the cars in the lot. We planned on paying on the way out, but had a ticket on the windshield before we had the chance! September/early October are a perfect time for this visit. The colors of the leaves on the various types are trees were amazing. We did the Parnell Tower loop trail, which is relatively easy- there are a couple of hills, but nothing too steep. Head up to the top of the tower for an unbelievable view of the Kettles- all forest all around. The trail should take an athletic group a health 1.5 hours, maybe more if you're stopping for photos. Cell service is spotty so make sure you stay on the trail and bring water/snacks!

So many great places to hike! And, it is always fun to visit the establishments in Dundee! The state parks are well kept as well.

This is a great place to camp, hike, swim, or picnic - close to the city so it's easy to get there

Wisconsin's got it right with its various park systems. The Kettle Moraine State Forest is comprised of several forests in northern and southern units in southeastern Wisconsin. Glaciation is to be thanked for the variety of rolling hills, streams, small lakes and landforms. Most of the trails for biking and hiking are easily navigated; however, we have found the signs in the John Muir park a bit confusing. Bring water and a compass, if possible, because a stroll could turn into a long hike. Even after visiting numerous times, we're often grateful to find our way back to the car before sunset. I don't mean to scare you off - the short trails are easy to find; it's the longer, less traveled trails that are less obvious. But it's part of the adventure and worth it because it's one of the prettiest trails around! Bring a camera!

We have an annual state park pass. Thankfully the beach area is open. I was uncomfortable with the many large parties. There doesn't appear to be any staff working at the park. But it was a good way to spend a few hours at the beach. I looked for hiking paths without success. The park is massive. I think we would have to drive to a path. After Covid, I'd like to return so we could explore more.

the last time i road these trails was 20+ years ago, what a difference time makes. these trail have great flow and are very tacky in the humid conditions. yes they even have some small jumps. the deep sand in places will give you a work out as well. to the trail crew.... thank you and well done

This is such a wonderful opportunity to see Wisconsin at its best! The colors, the scenery, at any time of the year does wonders for your well being!

I've hiked this trail a few times, always in the fall. The colors are beatiful.

The forest are like something out of a novel. There is an old cemetery along the way that will offer lots to talk and speculate about. Make sure you plan ahead and know where the trailhead is. It is a big forest and easy to get lost.

I know, this review has no catchy title but has the location and trail instead - I decided that was more helpful.

My husband and I hiked the trail today, 9/30/2012, and took the expert level Green Loop with the short Observation Loop as well. All told, we hiked about 5.1 miles. This is not a simple afternoon jaunt in flip-flops. The trail has many hills and quite a few were exposed stones, rounded from the glacial action. Wear boots and bring water.

We hiked the trail in 2 hr and 5 minutes but that was with minimal stopping. There are some wonderful old oak trees that we got to see and many songbirds. The Observation Loop overlooks the town of Ottawa.

This hike is a good workout and I highly recommend it!

Various trails to suit those in you hiking party for a particular day. Beautiful scenery. There are bathrooms and fire pits as well as well marked trails.

We visited the northern unit of the forest. We started near Dundee at the ice age interpretive center, where we learned a lot about the forces that created the local landscape. We were also able to pick up a map and guide to the auto tour and local hiking trails. The staff at the center also gave us some helpful hints about where to go in the immediate vicinity to see some interesting things. We did not do much walking because of the pouring rain, but enjoyed identifying glacial features from the car on the well-marked tour route. We hope to return in better weather.

We decided to try out camping this summer. Our first time camping we chose Long Lake area campground in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. The sites were picked out ahead of time on the Wisconsin DNR website. They provided a couple pictures of each campsite we wanted and a clear map of where the sites are in relation to the showers and the beach.

The weather for the weekend in early June was amazing! No rain, sunny skies, and no bugs! We spent most of our time on the beach with the kids. The water was warm enough for everyone and there wasn't any seaweed in it. We brought our lunch to the beach and enjoyed relaxing all day.

Last year, in 2011, we spent a day at Parnell tower. We brought food and used the grills for lunch then hiked on the trails a bit. I enjoyed that area as well.

I have camped at nearly every state park in the State of Wisconsin and started camping at Whitewater in the 1960s as a child. This is one of the few parks where there seems to be little "pride" in the park. The staff lacks excitement and enthusiasm when they greet campers. The pit toilets are not well-maintained. They need signs telling people to close the lids to minimize odors. They also need signs at the water stations (one of which wasn't even working this past Memorial Day weekend) prohibiting people from washing dishes, themselves, or brushing teeth at the water source. The fire wood is overpriced and poorly packaged. Plastic, plastic handle and metal staples?? Not very green!! I understand the need to have certified wood properly marked, but the way they are packaging it is as far from 'green' as you can possibly get. People burn the plastic!

The lake is very nice. The marina is excellent (yes, not park-staffed, but an attraction nonetheless). It's the best place to see a friendly smile and get a great ice cream cone!! Bait and tackle too!

I will continue to camp at Whitewater Lake State Park, although I do so with a heavy heart due to the park's inconsistency with other parks and their lack of environmental savvy.

We have hiked in Kettle Moraine northern unit many times. We hiked the southern unit, Nordic Track purple loop this weekend. It's a very wide, grass trail, lots of trees, some sunny patches. Very easy trail, our 5 year old loved it. We were also checking it out with cross country skiing in mind and we plan to definitely go back once there is snow. Unlike the hillier northern unit trails, this trail was mostly flat with just a few inclines that were great for beginner skiiers like us. The trail head had many different trail loops that all started at the same parking area, trails were clearly marked and had a good selection from beginner to advanced--can't wait to try the tougher ones. We also checked out the Whitewater Lake campground and beach, only vault toilets and no showers, but some nice shaded spots at the campground and a beach/swim area at the lake that we all enjoyed.

This is a small 32 site campground. The sites were well spaced and a nice size. The night we camped, there were only four or five other campsites occupied, so it was very quiet. It was easy to forget we were right on the highway on the east side of Hartford, WI. We could hear the trains, but that's nostalgic for us. We didn't have time to hike or swim, but there was plenty of hiking and the beach/picnic area was large and well shaded. It was one of the very few state parks near Milwaukee where camping is available, but it is only a half hour from Milwaukee. Showers are available, and the bathrooms were clean.

Great place for a hike. The hill are big and small. During the non snow months it's great to hike and the snowy months, its fun to snowshoe.

I have camped at almost all the Kettle Moraine camping areas and I am happy to say the experience has been great, but I am a bit disappointed with the Whitewater camp ground. The site itself was very nice, but the pit toilets we absolutely disgusting. (Very ripe) I was scheduled to stay for two days but could only manage one.

Also on the weekend we went they were having a customer service appreciation night at the Whitewater Lake launch shack, which is about two miles from the camp grounds, at 9:30 they proceeded to have fireworks (which is fine) but they also played loud music until 2 am. (We could hear it clearly). For us it ruined the tranquility of being out doors and camping in the first place!

I usually give places a second chance, but I don't think I am so willing here!

The Kettle Moraine area covers many acres in South East Wisconsin. There are campgrounds, lakes, and various trails for horseback riding or hiking, even mountain biking. Please refer to the DNR website for more information. Lapham peak is one of my favorite places to explore the fall foliage. This area is perfect anytime of year if you need an escape into nature away from the city.

The Kettle Moraine, both the north and south units, is such a gem. Highly accessible from highly urbanized Milwaukee. Instantly retreat into the wonders of glacial/post-glacial Wisconsin. Very interesting geology. Beautiful scenery with rolling hills and gentle valleys. Beautiful trees that are stunning in fall. Many lakes with ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Diverse hiking trails that double as awesome cross country ski trails. Excellent interpretive headquarters/buildings. Great campgrounds. Segments of the National Ice Age Trail also meander through both the north and south units. Milwaukee may not have mountains but the Kettle Moraine certainly makes up for it. For deeper meaning brush up on the Wisconsin glaciation period to truly feel the power and splendor of the Kettle Moraine.

Tall pine trees and quiet trails remind me of Conn. and Vermont. Beautiful place - hidden sanctuary.

This is the most beautiful place. Whenever I go here, I forget there's another world beyond the forest. I love it!

We had a nice little hike through the woods. Very relaxing, met some nice people on the trail, also the lake was nice .

The hiking trails in the Kettle Moraine are fabulous. I have gone there with my family numerous times and we have never not had a good experience, even when it rained. The trails are well used, but never crowded. Parking is plentiful and close to the trail head. The bathrooms are pit toilets, but for a quick in and out they are fine and always clean. I believe there are 3 separate trails based on distance. All three have the same entrance and exit. This is a wonderful hikng area.

The northern Kettle as its called has all the activities you want for outdoors. Sorry not sure about rock climbing, We like Long Lake and Mauthe Lake. Bicycle between the two lakes on the new trail. Good picnic areas and beaches. Surrround area is a nice drive. Stop at the Alien Bar on Boy Scout Road near Dundee

So gorgeous! An relaxing hike- just the right length and difficulty level. We went early in the day and were alone for most of our hike. Not a lot of birds or wildlife. Save the tower climb until the end to make sure you have the energy to get up there!

I've only traveled to the Zillmer Trail in winter for cross-country skiing. The trails are beautifully groomed and the scenery is gorgeous as you get an upper and lower view of the moraines. Most of the trails run through wooded areas. There are three trail systems that are loops and provide varying degrees of distance and terrain, depending upon your level of skiing.
The newer warming lodge is a wonderful facility with a wood burning stove to gather around (preferably with a cold beer after skiing). There are plenty of tables and chairs so if you come with a group and don't all ski together, it makes for a nice place to sit and relax as you're waiting for everyone to finish up. Also a great place just to hang out and spend some time after skiing. I have no reservations about leaving shoes/coats in the warming lodge while skiing.
The only drawback is the pit toilet - especially during those sub-zero days. Checking out a gas station in Kewauskum for a stop before getting to Zillmer may be a better bet.

If you like to hike this is a great option. Part of the Ice Age trail goes thru the park and there are trails for every level.

Our main goal was to complete the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive and we followed the directions from South to North. While the total mileage is 115 miles, you’ll want to allow plenty of extra time as you’ll likely want to get off at various points to sightsee. Also keep in mind most of the route is on local or county roads so your speed will be limited. One compliant is that while they have signs marking the drive, it is not always well marked so it’s very easy to miss a turn and then you are in trouble so I took off a star because of that. We had some problems during the first third of the route, but then from there we didn’t have any issues. There are over 50 (really) different turns you have to make so while I drove and watched for the signs my wife had the printed directions to help navigate. It was well worth the stress as the views were just great as we saw the fall colors.

Due to time constraints we didn’t stop as much as we would like but the main places we stopped were at the Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook (steep uphill trail for just an average view), the Ice Age Visitor Center (nice visitor center that explains the area and some simple hiking trails), and the Parnell Tower (easy trail up to a very tall staircase with beautiful views). Keep in mind you need to pay to visit these area and since we were out of state it was $11. There was no guard so you had to either put a check or cash in the container. Otherwise, if you are caught without a pass the fine is around $170. It was worth the expense as I’m sure if costs a great deal to maintain the area.

I love to mountain bike the John Muir Trails, but have also hiked the Nordic trails and the Ice Age Trail, as well as geocached many of the other local trails including scuppernong. Camped at Ottawa Lake Campground, as well as along the Ice Age trail in the shelters. Great escape close to Milwaukee. I visit here evry couple of months, just to get away from it all.

There are several units of the Kettle Moraine - I'm most familiar with the Northern unit, which is located in parts of Washington, Fond Du Lac and Sheboygan counties. The Ice Age Center is a great place for kids and adults to learn about what makes the Kettle Moraine special, and the flora and fauna in the region. The region is about an hour and 15 minutes from Milwaukee, up Hwy 45 to S in Kewaskum. There are tons of hiking and bridle trails, and some really spectacular views. Mauthe Lake Park is also located in this area, and is a great place for a day trip for swimming, picnicing, and walking around the perimeter. Changing rooms and restrooms are available. We can be proud of our state parks.

This is a fun attraction to see and stroll along wooded paths to each exhibit.Yes there are bigger and better funded zoo`s in other states but with the funding and space it has been done first class. The animals environments are done right and are very clean as is the entire facility. Great way to spend some of your valuable vacation time!

I've done several different trail runs in the forest, it is a wonderful place to run. Saw a cougar there one time!

Mauthe Lake has a nice beach area and a 2 mile hiking trail around the lake. Mauthe Lake is about a 1/2 hour north of West Bend. They have campsites and also a teepee that can be rented! It was a nice place to spend an afternoon :)

The trails are great. Had fun at Ottawa Lake. A great local get away

Paradise Springs is such a gorgeous area. The water of the spring was so crystal clear you could see the trout swimming around. Also love seeing all the ruins. Would definitely go back some time in the future.

Always nice trails to ride. Liked that there is better trail signs than previous rides.

Great views, and many different trails available! Had a blast trying these trails and seeing the views at different spots available!

We camped over Labor Day weekend 2012 at the Whitewater Lake campground. Having never been to "the Kettle" before, we expected people packed into campsites that were right on top of each other. Instead, every site in the campground was nicely wooded and separated by at least 20 yards, which made the camping experience much better. The only drawback at the Whitewater Lake Campground was the lack of showers. If you're going into town and want to shower before-hand, you have to drive 15+ minutes to a different campground. Only pit toilets at this campground. The campground has very close access to the excellent Ice Age Trail, which provides varied terrain and different types of forest to hike through thanks to the moraines. Whitewater Lake is close by, which has a very nice (if a little small) beach. There is a also a marina just past the beach where you can rent pontoon boats, small motor boats, and canoes.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest is huge, and has many campgrounds, trail heads, and activities. It's hard to summarize here since each location should warrant it's own review. Mountain biking at John Muir & New Fane is fabulous. Hiking & running trails at Lapham Peak, Pike Peak, Zillmer Trails, Scuppernong, and the Nordic Trails is hilly & fun. Camping at Mauthe Lake is my favorite, though there's also Long Lake, Ottawa Lake, Whitewater Lake. Cross-country skiing at Lapham Peak has lighted & groomed trails - the Zillmer Trails are also groomed. Endless outdoor opportunities at all these parks!

We have watched our kids grow up in these forests. Camping is inexpensive and fun, there are fish in the lake, the hiking trails are well maintained, and those from the West Bend area have placed many caches in the area. This is a great place to make home base and venture out, or just stay and enjoy.

We drove through the Kettle when the trees were at their peek. Some of the colors were so bright they looked neon and hurt your eyes to stare at them. God as the artist makes this drive fabulous.

We usually make a yearly jaunt to Long Lake for camping. The beaches are nice, and you're able to find pretty nice campsites. It's definitely family-friendly. They have a picnic area for you to bring your dog, but it's no where near the beach, and dogs aren't allowed on the beach. It's a place where dogs can get in the water, but is unswimable for humans. It's the only draw-back of this nice park.

Early July and a heat wave rolls through, and my kids were itching for a beach. We already had the state park vehicle sticker, which was $25 for a resident, so we breezed right in. It's $7 for a day pass per vehicle, still super cheap. Got there around 11:00 on a Friday and the beach area on Long Lake wasn't overly crowded. There is a medium sized sandy beach, picnic tables, playground equipment, restrooms and a changing area, period, but if you are prepared with a picnic lunch, and plenty of water it was perfect. The lake is pretty clear, and the swimming area is shallow, which is great for kids, maybe not so fun with experienced swimmers. Due to the extreme heat this last week the lake was like bath water, but I highly doubt that is always the case. Overall it was a cheap, clean, fun day at the beach. We'll go back to the park again and next time utilize the hiking trails as well.

I spend A LOT of time in this park...hiking, biking, cross country skiing and geocaching!! All sorts of terrain to walk and ski. GREAT place with a ton of geological/glacial history.

Great state park campground. Quiet at night. Great place for fall foliage. Will definitely go back.

Of course fall is the most spectacular time to visit and see the changing foilage, but it is wonderful place to visit anytime of the year! The "Kettles" as they are sometimes called, were carved out of land by the glaciers that traveled through. There hills and peaks, gullies and bluffs, and trees galore. If you can imagine, think back to a time when the first settlers arrived! This is a great place to go and just relax!

The trail was largely well-marked though difficult to discern in several places. Cyclists counter-navigate the trail, but they can still surprise you, so be prepared. The trail is marked “hard”, but that’s for cyclists - although narrow it’s not much of a challenge for walkers. The biggest disappointment was the proportion of the trail covered by forest: there’s nothing to see (and zero wildlife when I visited)! The parking and toilets at the trailhead are both well maintained

Well we camped at Ottawa state park in the third wk in May and will for sure go back next yr, loved the beach area with all the nice tree for shade and alot of picnic tables to enjoy while at the beach, bathroom near by and loved the campsites!We were in site 370 and enjoyed!!!! We have been camping the last 2 yr and all the state parks are very clean and quite after hrs, when going back hopefully this time will be with all my family!

Parked at Scuppernog Ski and Hike Trail parking lot. Had to pay $10 as non-residents, but well worth it. Filled up our water bottle, hit the restroom, and then easily found our way to the connecting trail to get over to the Ice Age Trail. We walked about 60minutes south, turned around, and then walked about 45minutes north and walked back along the orange/green trails of the ski area, for a total of 3hrs of glorious hiking through woody areas with decent shade, clear trail, and nice blazes. A bit buggy in late August, but that's to be expected. Overall would definitely recommend.

Wonderful place for hiking, biking and skiing. The varied topography gives you a hills almost everywhere you go. The Greenbush Ski Trails are varied, often challenging and groomed almost daily. Greenbush also had a lighted ski trail & heated shelter. If you are a skier, dont' miss this place.

The Henry Ruess Ice Age Center is a nice visit for learning about native geology. Visit nearby Plymouth for good eats and a wide range of accomodations.

I like to go bicycle camping and find a wonderful experience at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. Even though I had to break camp in the rain, I still enjoyed my experience at Ottawa Lake in the Southern Unit. Bicycle campers can always find a site at Ottawa Lake. I also took a photo of some sandhill cranes feeding right after the initial rain.

It was a very beautiful peaceful hiking area. The hike was quite easy and although we would prefer something more strenuous there was a great variety of trail lengths so you can make it a very long hike or a short one depending on your fitness level.

Well-maintained trails (a 132 mile system) and abundant options, but nothing scenic stood out as exceptional. This could have been the timing; we arrived in mid-October shortly after the fall colors had peaked. We hiked the Butler Lake Trail (the purple trail), climbed the Parnell 60-foot tower, and hiked some of the Zillmer Loop System. The staff at the Ice Age Visitor's Center were extremely helpful; they recommended some trails and gave us a map to take along with us. Nice exhibits and a trail right off of the parking lot. We live closer to Kettle Moraine South and wanted to check this out as an alternate, but will probably be going back to the Southern unit in the future, as there were no major differences between the two park systems.

Beautiful campsites that are large and surrounded by 80 foot high Pine trees. The campsites are very private and you truly feel like you're in the wilderness. The bathrooms are also very clean and well kept. They have private rooms to shower in. The trails are ok but honestly nothing special. If you're willing to drive to the sister campground, they have some very cool natural springs.