Chippewa Moraine
Ice Age Reserve

Interpretive & Hiking Trails

Chippewa Moraine

The 3,800-acre, Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area is one of nine units of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve in Wisconsin and contains a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Reserve features a unique geologic topography of ice-walled lake plains, hummocks, eskers, and kames.

Property Map (PDF)

The terrain was formed during the last Ice Age when a stagnant glacier was crushed and ground up by another active glacier that was advancing south from Canada (the Chippewa Lobe). While this was occurring, the global climate was warming to the point where the glaciers in this region were melting as fast as they were advancing, and this area was the southernmost advance of the Chippewa Lobe.

The result produced the landscape you see today, more than 70 kettle lakes and ponds surrounded by rolling hills covered in forests of oak, maple, birch, aspen and pine, along with open fields of tall grasses and colorful wildflowers.

Chippewa Moraine is considered by many to be the best place in the world to see firsthand a landscape formed by both active and stagnant glacial activity.

Property Map (PDF)
Visiting Chippewa Moraine

Try to spend some time viewing the exhibits and displays inside the Visitor and Interpretive Center before or after your hike. This is one of better interpretive centers in Wisconsin.

The main trailhead for all three trails - Mammoth, Dry Lake and Circle Trail - are directly behind the Visitor Center, near the northwest corner of the paved parking lot. A sign is easily visible.

Paper trail maps are available inside the Visitor Center and at a small kiosk at the trailhead.

Mammoth Nature Trail
0.7 Miles
Distance
Easy
Difficulty
135 feet
Elevation Gain
Dirt path
Trail Surface

This 0.7-mile loop is the shortest trail at Chippewa Moraine and passes through a scenic hardwood forest. Interpretive signs detail the geologic, natural, and logging history of the area. About halfway, the trail crosses a small footbridge and follows the shore of a narrow lake surrounded by birch and hardwoods.

Dry Lake Trail
1.8 Miles
Distance
Easy
Difficulty
260 feet
Elevation Gain
Dirt path
Trail Surface

The first part of the Dry Lake Trail (1.8-mile loop) follows the edge of a large field with open views of the rolling landscape and a beautiful stand of aspen. The remaining 1.1 miles wander over rolling terrain beneath a high canopy of maturing hardwoods. The trail crosses a few footbridges and features scenic views of three small lakes.

The Circle Trail
4.5 Miles
Distance
Easy-Moderate
Difficulty
690 feet
Elevation Gain
Dirt path
Trail Surface

The Circle Trail is a beautiful 4.5 mile loop through a landscape of hardwood and pine forests, rolling hills, scenic lakes, and open fields covered with wild flowers and tall grasses. Dense fern gardens often surround the trail where it wanders beneath high canopies of mature hardwoods. The first of many kettle lakes are visible within a half-mile of the trailhead. Red and white pines often tower overhead whenever you're close to water.

Ice Age Trail Segment
7.6 Miles
Distance
Moderate
Difficulty
675 feet
Elevation Gain
Dirt path
Trail Surface

The 7.6-mile segment (point-2-point) between the boat landing at Plummer Lake and 267th Avenue is one of most scenic stretches of the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. The entire segment passes through the Chippewa Moraine Unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and the Chippewa County Forest. The trail winds through shady hardwood forests over hilly terrain and features direct views of numerous quiet lakes and ponds.

Primitive trailside camping is allowed within the boundaries of the Chippewa County Forest, but not in the National Scientific Reserve. In the Reserve, there are two ‘Outpost’ hike-in campsites along the trail near the Chippewa Moraine Visitor Center. Both sites are in scenic lakeside settings and offer a fire ring, tent area, and shade. The outpost campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers must pay and register at the Interpretive Center before occupying an Outpost site.

Camping is also available at Brunet Island State Park, which offers restrooms and heated showers. A grocery store and a Hardware Store camping supplies are in the town of Cornell.

The Ice Age Trail is closed during deer gun season. Please use caution and wear bright colors during all other hunting seasons.

The Ice Age Trail is marked by yellow blazes. Connecting trails may or may not be marked.

Ice Age Visitor & Intrepretive Center

The Intrerpretive Center is a modern facility with many exhibits of mammal skeletons, live reptiles and amphibians, various species of fish, and an entire room filled with interesting displays about the geologic, natural, and cultural history of the region.

Visitors will also find books, pamphlets, and image cards that illustrate and describe the geologic history of the area and identify the various plants and animals found in the National Reserve. A large movie room offers a selection of short educational films to watch on-demand. The Interpretive Center sits on one of the highest hills in the Reserve called an ‘ice-walled-lake plain'. Inside and outside are panoramic views overlooking the forest-covered hills to the south and west. A few of the larger lakes are visible in the near-distance.

The Intrepretive Center offers a fun, educational experience with plenty of hands-on interactive activities. The center is staffed year-round and the staff-members are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

The Interpretive Center is open year-round from 8:30am to 4:30 pm daily. Hours may vary, please call ahead.

School Field Trips

Chippewa Moraine offers fun, guided nature programs for students from 4th through 12th grades. The programs are highly recommended and are specifically designed to meet Wisconsin's Academic Standards. Contact the Reserve at 715.967.2800 for more information.

Recreation & Attractions

Interpretive center with exhibits & displays, Historic Point of Interest, interpretive trails, hiking trails, Ice Age Trail segment, lakes, ponds, scenic forests, open fields, picnicking, scenic overlook, backpack camping

Amenities

Staffed HQ, paved parking, drinking water, restrooms, picnic area, disabled access (Visitor Center & picnic area only)

Managing Agency & Fees
  • Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area
  • 13394 Co Hwy M
  • New Auburn, WI 54757
Nearby Trails & Places