Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
Photo: Wisconsin DNR
The first and largest unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest offers year-round recreation among world-famous glacial landforms. Visitors can swim at three beaches, enjoy challenging mountain biking trails or groomed ski trails, hike the Ice Age Trail, take in a nature program, or just escape among 30,000 acres of rolling, wooded hills and prairies. The Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center includes an exhibit area, auditorium and gift shop. The forest has over 350 campsites, including standard, group, equestrian and backpack opportunities.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit?
It depends on what you came for. Camping is best in June–September, fall color in October, swimming in July–August and boating & paddling in June–September.
What can you do at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit in each season?
Winter (December–February): winter camping, hiking, fishing, ice fishing, mountain & fat biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and nature centers. Spring (March–May): camping, hiking, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking, hunting and nature centers. Summer (June–August): camping, hiking, swimming, boating & paddling, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding, nature centers and picnics & shelters. Fall (September–November): camping, hiking, fall color, boating & paddling, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding, hunting, nature centers and picnics & shelters.
Do you need a state park sticker at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit?
Yes. Every motor vehicle that stops at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit needs a Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker, daily or annual (from $13 a day with Wisconsin plates). Our Pass page has every price and which one to buy.
Can you camp at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit in winter?
Yes. Mauthe Lake campground is open for camping year-round. The trail follows the Ice Age Trail near a rustic backpack shelter reservable for camping.
What state parks and trails are near Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Eisenbahn State Trail (8 mi), Lizard Mound State Park (14 mi) and Harrington Beach State Park (21 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Ice fishing
- Mountain & fat biking
- Nature centers
- Picnics & shelters
- Sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October · November
Visiting
- Admission: A vehicle admission sticker is required.
- Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
- Address: Forest Headquarters N1765 Cty Rd G Campbellsport, WI 53010
- Phone: 262-626-2116
Accessibility
- Accessible campsite -- every developed campground here has at least one
- Accessible fishing pier
- Adaptive equipment: Adaptive kayak, Universal kayak launch
- Universal trail: Lake to Lake Trail
From the DNR's accessibility guide, reviewed October 2026. Call the property to confirm before you go.
Nearby
- Eisenbahn State Trail (8 mi)
- Lizard Mound State Park (14 mi)
- Harrington Beach State Park (21 mi)
- Kohler-Andrae State Park (22 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit (25 mi)
Closures and alerts for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.