Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Statewide — 30 Wisconsin Counties County, Wisconsin
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin — one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States and an official unit of the National Park System since 2023. The trail traces the terminal moraine of the last continental glacier, winding from Interstate State Park on the Minnesota border to Potawatomi State Park on Lake Michigan. Passing through 30 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, the trail traverses glacial features including kettles, kames, eskers, drumlins, and moraines — some of the world's finest examples of continental glacial sculpting. More than 2.3 million people use the trail annually. Currently 700 miles are blazed yellow as completed segments with 450+ miles of connecting routes linking them.
Miles
1200 mi
Difficulty
Varies
Groomed
No
Fee
Free
Don't Miss
One of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States — the only one entirely within Wisconsin. The trail became an official National Park System unit in 2023. Traces the edge of the last glacier to cover Wisconsin, passing through kettles, kames, eskers, and drumlins — some of the world's finest glacial features. 2.3 million users annually.
Trail Systems
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Segment (Taylor County)
49-mile non-motorized segment running diagonally across the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Taylor County. Traverses eskers and moraines, around kettle lakes and holes. Includes the Hemlock Esker — a mile-long ridge rising 80 feet above the forest floor immersed in hemlock forest. Features a 67-foot bridge over the South Fork Yellow River and follows the northern shore of Jerry Lake.
Trailheads
- 📍Highway 64 Trailhead — from Medford drive west on Hwy 64 for 19 miles, trailhead on right (north) side
- 📍Jerry Lake Trailhead — from Medford north on Hwy 13 for 4.5 miles, west on County M 13 miles to FR 571, north 0.75 mile
- 📍Highway E Trailhead — from Hwy 13 in Westboro, west on County D 8.2 miles to County E, south 3.5 miles
- 📍Mondeaux Flowage — from Hwy 13 in Westboro, west on County D 6.8 miles, south on FR 106 for 2.2 miles
📞 Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest — 715-634-4821 | Ice Age Trail Alliance — iceagetrail.org
Blue Hills Segment (Rusk County)
Remote and rugged segment crossing the Blue Hills area of western Rusk County with numerous scenic wetland areas and stream crossings. Runs along the west side of Rusk County from the Birchwood area south to Weyerhaeuser.
Trailheads
- 📍Birchwood area and Weyerhaeuser access points
📞 Ice Age Trail Alliance Blue Hills Chapter — iceagetrail.org
Chippewa Moraine Segment
15 miles through the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. Features primitive camping along the route. One of the most distinct segments with dramatic glacial topography.
Trailheads
- 📍Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area — parking at either end of segment
📞 Ice Age Trail Alliance — iceagetrail.org
Rules & Regulations
- No motorized vehicles on any Ice Age Trail segment — hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing only
- No fee required to hike the trail — it is free and open to the public
- Stay on yellow-blazed segments — connecting routes cross private property
- Pack out all trash — leave no trace principles apply throughout
- Primitive camping allowed at designated dispersed camping areas only
- Hunting and trapping not allowed on trail corridor
- Dogs welcome on leash — clean up after your pet
- Check iceagetrail.org for trail alerts and current conditions before visiting
- Trail not yet complete — 700 miles blazed, 450+ miles are unmarked connecting routes
Trailer Parking
| Location | Address | Trail Access |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 64 Trailhead (Taylor County) | 19 miles west of Medford on Hwy 64 | Chequamegon-Nicolet segment |
| Jerry Lake Trailhead (Taylor County) | FR 571, 13 miles west of Hwy 13 on County M from Medford | Chequamegon-Nicolet segment |
| Mondeaux Flowage (Taylor County) | FR 106, 6.8 miles west of Hwy 13 in Westboro on County D | Chequamegon-Nicolet segment |
ATV / UTV Clubs
- 🏍️Ice Age Trail Alliance (non-profit, builds and maintains trail) — iceagetrail.org
- 🏍️21 local IATA chapters across Wisconsin — find your local chapter at iceagetrail.org — iceagetrail.org
- 🏍️National Park Service — manages the trail as a National Park System unit since 2023
- 🏍️Wisconsin DNR — co-manages state-owned segments
While You're Here
- Timms Hill — Wisconsin's highest point in Price County, connected to Ice Age Trail via 10-mile Timms Hill National Side Trail
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest — trail passes through for 49 miles in Taylor County
- Interstate State Park — western terminus at St. Croix Falls on Minnesota border
- Potawatomi State Park — eastern terminus on Lake Michigan in Door County
- Ice Age Scientific Reserve — educational and interpretive centers at Chippewa Moraine, Interstate State Park, and Kettle Moraine
Official Resources
Location
Quick Facts
- County
- Statewide — 30 Wisconsin Counties County
- Trail Types
- Hiking, Snowshoeing
- Total Miles
- 1200 miles
- Difficulty
- Varies
- Season
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- Groomed
- No
- Fee
- No