Conditions at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit

Conditions as of Wednesday, November 4, 2009:

• Camping
• Events
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Trails
• Winter Office Hours

The majority of leaves have fallen in the forest except for some late hangers on the hickory trees, and white and red oaks - which are not flashy but brown in color. Hunters are taking advantage of the cooler weather pursuing pheasants, grouse, and squirrels, and deer with bow. Bucks are beginning to move, signaling the beginning of the rut.

Trails

Greenbush Trails: The hiking trails are open. Late last fall, numerous sections of the trails were re-graded in response to erosion. These areas have been seeded and mulched. Bikes are prohibited on the hiking / ski trails and directed to the single-track mountain bike trails.

The single-track mountain bike trails are open for the season.

Horse trails are open for the season.

Lake to Lake Bike Trail is open. This newly constructed 6.5 mile, limestone surfaced bike trail connects the Mauthe and Long Lake recreation areas.

New Fane Trails are open for mountain biking. A new 5.5-mile single-track, off-road bike trail has been completed. This system has four loops varying in length.

Part of the construction also included regrading of eroded areas on the existing hiking and skiing trails. The graded areas have been seeded and mulched and can be very muddy. Hiking is not recommended in these areas. Signs indicating these graded areas are posted at the trail entrance.

Note: Biking is now prohibited on the hiking and skiing trails.

Events

Events and Nature Programs at the Kettle Moraine and all state parks and forests are listed on the DNR Events Calendar.

Camping

Mauthe Lake Campground is open for camping. All water systems have been turned on for the season. Reservations are recommended for weekend camping mid-May through October, especially electrical sites. Use the Web [exit DNR] or call (888) 947-2757.

Long Lake Campground is closed for the season, until Friday, April 30. Use the Web or call (888) 947-2757 to reserve a site for dates April 30 through October 10, 2010.

New Prospect Horseriders Campground is closed for the season, until the first weekend in May. For camping reservations use the Web or call (888) 947-2757.

Greenbush Group Campground is open through the end of November. For camping reservations use the Web or call (888) 947-2757.

Backpack shelter camping is available year round. A camping permit is required, and you must camp at a designated shelter campsite. Reservations are recommended for backpack shelter camping in the spring and fall on weekends. Backpack Shelter #6 is not available for use during December through March. If you do not have a reservation, you must stop at Forest Headquarters or the Ice Age Visitor Center to obtain a camping permit. We recommend calling ahead to determine availability for first-come, first-served backpack shelter camping. For more information, ask Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, (262) 626-2116 or (920) 533-8322.

Fishing

Have you ever snagged your fishing line in a tree or weeds? Changed the line along the shore? How about getting a knot in your line that you can't undo so you cut the line? The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is installing five fishing line recycling stations as part of an Eagle Scout project. For more information, contact the forest office.

Hunting

About 95 percent of the state forest [PDF 805KB] 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.

Winter Office Hours

The Forest Headquarters is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on holidays). The Henry S. Ruess Ice Age Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, ask Jason Quast, Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit assistant superintendent, (262) 626-2116.

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