Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Things To Do Near Ice Age National Scenic Trail

The completed sections of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail span over 600 miles, so if you love hiking or backpacking, you will find lots of hiking trails over varied terrain. The trail goes through several state parks, so you could choose one of them as your home base to park your RV. Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo is especially beautiful and is a popular place to go fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and rock climbing.

Hiking Trails

• Ice Age Trail: Holy Hill Segment

  This segment of the Ice Age Trail winds around Holy Hill and the surrounding area. Holy Hill is known for Holy Hill Basilica and the beautiful views from the top of the hill. The elevation gain on the trail is 603 feet. Dogs are allowed. Unless you bring snowshoes, the trail is best used from April through October.

  Location

  Holy Hill, 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus, WI

  Length

  6.8 Miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Ice Age Trail: Lodi Marsh Segment

  Ice Age Trail: Lodi Marsh Segment

  This out-and-back trail goes through open fields and woods and features beautiful wildflowers. The trail can be used year-round, except for hunting season. Check with the DNR to find out when it will be closed. In winter, the trail can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

  Location

  Highway 113 just south of Lodi, WI

  Length

  8.8 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Ice Age Trail: Devil's Staircase

  This portion of the Ice Age Trail goes along the Rock River bluffs and ascends them by way of the Devil's Staircase, a flight of stairs built into the bluff. Many wildflowers can be seen near the trail in spring. The trail is best used from April through October, and dogs are allowed.

  Location

  Parkside Drive just north of Janesville, WI

  Length

  1.9 Miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Old World Wisconsin

  Old World Wisconsin is a large historic site with many buildings depicting immigrant life in Wisconsin as it was from about 1840 through 1910. The buildings are authentic stores and homes, and the workers dress in period clothing and interact with the guests. You can see farm animals, try out the crafts and chores, visit the museum store, and have lunch in the cafe.

  Location

  W372S9727 State Road 67, Eagle, WI

• Cave of the Mounds

  The Cave of the Mounds is known as the “Jewel Box of Wisconsin” because of its unique and delicate rock formations. The cave's temperature is at 50 degrees all year-round, making it a good place to cool off in the summer. Outside the cave, you can enjoy walking trails, rock gardens, picnic areas, and fossil mining activities. 

  Location

  2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds, WI

• Dells Boat Tours

  Wisconsin Dells is known for the beautiful rock formations and bluffs that line the Wisconsin River. Take a guided tour of this area with the Dells Boat Tours. They offer Upper Dells Tours, Lower Dells Tours, and the Sunset Dinner Cruise. The tours operate from mid-March through mid-November.

  Location

  107 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Museums

• University of Wisconsin Geology Museum

  The Geology Museum at the University of Wisconsin will take you back to times when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin or when the state was underneath the sea. They have fossils of mastodons, fish, birds, reptiles, and dinosaurs. They also have a collection of rocks and minerals. This museum is great for all ages.

  Location

  1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI

• Harley-Davidson Museum

  The Harley-Davidson Museum is popular with visitors from all over the world. Within the museum, you can learn about motorcycle culture, the development of the motorcycle engine, the history of Harley-Davidson, and more. On the first floor, they have a selection of motorcycles that you can touch and sit on.

  Location

  400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI

• Milwaukee Public Museum

  The Milwaukee Public Museum has an amazing number of exhibits covering all the continents, prehistory, geology, history, biology, and more. It is considered one of the best natural history museums in the country. The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit is especially popular with all ages.

  Location

  800 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• The Spice House

  Have you been looking for a unique spice that you can't find anywhere? Check out The Spice House. They have a multitude of spices, both common and unusual. Try their spice blends for an easy way to cook.

  Location

  1031 North Old World 3rd Street, Milwaukee, WI

• Fromagination

  Fromagination is an artisan cheese shop located on Capitol Square in Madison. They offer an amazing number of cheeses, and they teach cheese classes, as well. They can ship special Wisconsin cheeses to all your friends and family.

  Location

  14 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI

• Silver Lake Country Inn

  Silver Lake Country Inn is on the shore of Silver Lake in West Bend. It has been around for over 20 years and is a favorite with the local community. They are best known for their barbecue and ribs, but they also have great seafood and a Friday fish fry. The service is exceptional.

  Location

  5602 Peters Drive, West Bend, WI

• Cento

  Cento is the best Italian restaurant in Madison. They specialize in homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. They also offer a unique dining experience called Kitchen Table, where you can watch the chefs while they cook a five-course meal for you.

  Location

  112 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI

How To Get To Ice Age National Scenic Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin covers a distance of 1,200 miles between Sturgeon Bay and St. Croix Falls. Segments of the trail are near major towns and cities such as Milwaukee, Madison, Baraboo, and Waupaca. No matter where you are in Wisconsin, you will not be more than a few hours from the trail. The Ice Age Trail goes through many state parks and forests as well. Devil's Lake State Park and Kettle Moraine State Forest are two popular places to join the trail.

Address

8075 Old Sauk Pass Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528 

Fee: Entry Fee (trail only entry)

There is no entry fee for the trail only.

Fee: Entry Fee (per vehicle with WI plates) $8.0

Entry fee to enter the state park with WI plates

Fee: Entry Fee (per vehicle without out-of-state plates) $11.0

Entry fee to enter the state park with out-of-state plates.

Hiking just a few segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail will introduce you to many beautiful landscapes in Wisconsin. The state parks and forests that are crossed by the trail are fun places to visit too. Consider taking an RV on your trip and camping in some of these state parks and forests while you hike portions of the trail.