Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit

The Kettle Moraine Northern Unit is comprised of about 30,000 acres stretching 30 miles across Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and Washington Counties. The forest is managed for multiple use, including recreation management, sustainable forest products, water quality and soil protection, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, native biological diversity, and aesthetics.

The state forest is a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. Federal passes [exit DNR] as well as Wisconsin state park admission stickers are honored. Holders of National Parks passports receive a waiver of the vehicle admission fees, but camping fees are not affected. The Northern Unit also has a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

A great way to familiarize yourself with the forest is to begin by visiting the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center.

• Driving directions
• History

Any firewood brought in from more than 50 miles away or from a quarantined area [PDF, 102KB] or from out of state will be confiscated due to the potential of carrying harmful emerald ash borers [exit DNR].

State Park user fees apply for many of the activities listed above.

Enhance your visit by taking advantage of the following free programs:

• Take Smokey Camping
• Wisconsin Explorer
• Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

History

In the late 1920s, conservation leaders recognized the need to establish a state recreation area near the growing Milwaukee metropolitan area and protect the headwaters of the Milwaukee River. In 1926 the Milwaukee Chapter of the Izaak Walton League bought about 850 acres of land surrounding Mauthe Lake (then Moon Lake). Ten years later the league deeded this land to the State of Wisconsin. This transaction was the first purchase of land in what is now the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Friends Group

The Friends of the Kettle Moraine is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a greater appreciation of the Kettle Moraine. For more information or to join the Friends, pease see the Friends of the Kettle Moraine web site [exit DNR]

How to Get There

The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is 45 minutes north of Milwaukee. Suggested routes [PDF 27KB] from Fond du Lac/Oshkosh/Appleton, Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Sheboygan/Plymouth to Forest Headquarters, Ice Age Center, Mauthe Lake, Long Lake and Greenbush are provided as a courtesy. For best results, see a Wisconsin State Highway Map and our Forest Map [PDF 1MB] to determine if the suggested route will work best for you.

Additional information is available, if you use computerized mapping software or a vehicle navigational system.

See the Current Conditions page for any detour information.

For More Information

Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit
Forest Headquarters
N1765 Highway G
Campbellsport WI 53010
Open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
(262) 626-2116 or

Ice Age Visitor Center
Open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekends
(920) 533-8322

Jerry Leiterman, Forest Superintendent
Jackie Scharfenberg, Naturalist
Jason Quast, Assistant Superintendent

Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Memorial Day - Labor Day, Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday - Wednesday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday. Hours vary during off-season.
(262) 626-4305

Long Lake Recreation Area Entrance Station
Memorial Day - Labor Day, Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday - Wednesday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday. Hours vary during off-season.
(920) 533-8612