Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit
Quick answer: The Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest is 22,000-plus acres of glacial hills, kettle lakes and prairie between Whitewater Lake and Eagle, 30 to 45 minutes from Lake Geneva. It has the best mountain biking near the lake (John Muir and Emma Carlin), more than 100 miles of trail, 30 miles of Ice Age Trail and 3 main campgrounds.
Parking needs a vehicle pass ($13 a day Wisconsin plates, $16 out-of-state). Riders and skiers 16 and older also need a state trail pass ($5 a day).
The unit spreads across Walworth, Jefferson and Waukesha counties and is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. It’s the closest part of the Kettle Moraine to Geneva Lake, close enough for a morning ride and lunch back at the lake. For taller hills and Parnell Tower, see the Northern Unit.
What should you do first?
Southern Unit at a glance
| Area | From Lake Geneva | Best for | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewater Lake | About 30 min | Ice Age Trail, camping, swimming | South end, Walworth County |
| John Muir trails | About 30 to 35 min | Mountain biking, hiking | County H, north of La Grange |
| Emma Carlin trails | About 35 to 40 min | Technical riding | County Z, south of Hwy. 59 |
| Bald Bluff, Nordic trails | About 35 to 40 min | Views, skiing | County H, south of Palmyra |
| Headquarters, Stony Ridge | About 40 to 45 min | Maps, short nature trail | Hwy. 59, Eagle |
| Scuppernong, Ottawa Lake | About 45 min | Hiking, camping, beach | County ZZ, north of Eagle |
Mountain biking in the Southern Unit
John Muir Trail System
Best overallAll levelsFast, flowing singletrack with loops for every level. Start on Brown or White if you’re new; the Blue loop’s 12 miles of climbing is the full workout.
| Loop | Miles | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | 1.25 | Easy |
| White | 4.25 | Moderate |
| Rainy Dew bypass (purple) | 4.7 | Hard |
| Orange | 5.0 | Moderate to hard |
| Green | 7.0 | More difficult |
| Blue | 12.0 | Most difficult |
Emma Carlin Trail System
TechnicalRockier and more technical than John Muir. Two connector trails, each about 6 miles, link the 2 systems for a full-day ride.
Tip: Trails close when wet. The DNR asks riders to wait 4 to 6 hours after rain stops. Call the trail line at 262-594-6202 before you load the bike.
Hiking trails
Scuppernong Trail System
Best hikeRed (2.3 miles), Orange (4.1) and Green (4.9, roller-coaster hills) loops through pine and hardwoods, plus an observation loop looking over Ottawa Lake.
Ice Age Trail
Closest to Lake GenevaThe trail crosses the whole unit. The Whitewater Lake area, about 30 minutes from Lake Geneva, is the easiest place to start. Three backpack shelter sites sit along it, 0.5 to 10 miles from parking.
Springs and short nature trails
EasyAll agesParadise Springs: a paved trail to a fieldstone spring house, dam and trout pond, with a reservable picnic shelter.
Scuppernong Springs: across County ZZ from Ottawa Lake, past natural springs and old marl works foundations. Part of it is crushed limestone for universal access.
Stute Springs: a 1.5-mile loop off County Z past old spring house foundations, with access to Big Hill.
Bald Bluff: 0.5 miles up a former signal hill, one of the highest points in Jefferson County. On County H south of Palmyra.
Stony Ridge: a 1-mile loop behind headquarters with a kettle pond.
Camping in the Southern Unit
| Campground | Sites | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Lake | 100 (65 electric) | Year-round (limited plowed sites in winter) | Beach, showers, accessible cabin |
| Pinewoods | 101, no electric | Mid-May to mid-October | Showers, playground, group camp |
| Whitewater Lake | 63 primitive | Mid-May to mid-October | Closest to Lake Geneva, vault toilets |
| Horseriders’ | 56 | April to November | Equestrian camping only |
| Ice Age Trail shelters | 3 sites | Year-round | Hike in 0.5 to 10 miles |
Reservations are required. Book at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com or 1-888-947-2757, same day to 11 months ahead.
Winter in the Southern Unit
Nordic trails (County H, south of Palmyra): 6 groomed trails, a warming shelter open daily and a sledding hill.
McMiller trails (County NN, south of Eagle): 5 trails groomed for skate and classic skiing, with a heated shelter.
Snowshoe on the John Muir, Emma Carlin and Ice Age trails, never on groomed ski tracks. Skiers 16 and up need a state trail pass. Trails can close with little warning, so call 262-594-6202. For a lit option, Lapham Peak is about 50 minutes from Lake Geneva.
Where to eat near the Southern Unit
East Troy Brewery
BreweryOn the way homeHouse beer and scratch-made Wisconsin comfort food in the 1892 State Bank of East Troy building. It’s on the drive back to Lake Geneva. More in the East Troy guide.
Hen House Cafe
BreakfastBreakfast and lunch a few minutes from headquarters and the Scuppernong trails.
The Elegant Farmer
Fall stopHome of the Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag. In fall, Harvest Fest adds apple picking, hayrides and a pumpkin patch. See the orchards and pumpkin patches guide.
Also nearby: Squidy’s in Palmyra for Friday fish fry; the Rushing Waters farm store (N301 County Rd. H, Palmyra) for fresh and smoked trout, Thursday through Sunday; the Union House in Genesee Depot for a steak or wild-game dinner. Old World Wisconsin’s Clausing Café reopens with the museum in May.
Passes and fees (2026)
| Pass | Wisconsin plates | Out-of-state plates |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle pass, daily | $13 ($3 age 65+) | $16 |
| Vehicle pass, 12 months | $28 ($13 age 65+) | $50 |
| State trail pass (biking, skiing, horseback, 16+) | $5 a day or $25 a year | $5 a day or $25 a year |
| Hiking and snowshoeing | Vehicle pass only | Vehicle pass only |
Buy online from the Wisconsin DNR before you park. Skipping it adds a $5 surcharge.
The Southern Unit by season
Fall (late September to mid-October)
Gold and red on every ridge, usually peaking in early October, and the best riding weather of the year. Pair it with the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, which starts at Whitewater Lake.
Spring (April and May)
Springs run clear and wildflowers come up. Bike trails close often after rain until they dry out, so check the trail line.
Summer (June to August)
Swim at Ottawa Lake or Whitewater Lake, ride early before the heat, and bring bug spray. All 3 main campgrounds are open.
Winter (December to March)
Ski the Nordic and McMiller trails, snowshoe the Ice Age Trail, or camp at Ottawa Lake. More winter ideas in the Lake Geneva winter guide.
Best by category
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best ride | John Muir Blue loop | 12 miles of fast singletrack |
| Best beginner ride | John Muir Brown and White | Short, easy to moderate |
| Best technical ride | Emma Carlin | Rocky climbs |
| Best hike | Scuppernong Green loop | 4.9 miles of rolling hills |
| Best easy walk | Paradise Springs | Paved, spring house and trout pond |
| Best campground | Ottawa Lake | Year-round, electric sites, beach |
| Best post-ride stop | East Troy Brewery | On the way back to Lake Geneva |
Mistakes people make
Riding wet trails. They close after rain, and riding them anyway damages the singletrack. Call 262-594-6202.
Forgetting the trail pass. Bikers and skiers 16 and up need one on top of the vehicle pass.
Using old fee numbers. Out-of-state plates pay $16 a day now.
Expecting showers at Whitewater Lake. It’s vault toilets only; showers are at Pinewoods and Ottawa Lake.
If you’re moving here
From Geneva Lake, the Southern Unit is 30 to 45 minutes away, close enough for weeknight rides from May to October. Whitewater, East Troy and Mukwonago sit closer still, with rural lots, small acreage and homes minutes from the trailheads.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit?
The John Muir trails on County H north of La Grange have loops from 1.25 to 12 miles for every level. The Emma Carlin trails on County Z are rockier and more technical. Two connector trails of about 6 miles each link the 2 systems.
Do you need a trail pass for the John Muir trails?
Yes. Riders 16 and older need a Wisconsin state trail pass, $5 a day or $25 a year, plus a vehicle pass to park. Trails close when wet; call 262-594-6202 for conditions.
How much does it cost to visit the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit?
A daily vehicle pass is $13 for Wisconsin plates and $16 for out-of-state plates. A 12-month pass is $28 for Wisconsin plates and $50 for out-of-state plates. Hiking needs only the vehicle pass.
How far is the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit from Lake Geneva?
The Whitewater Lake and La Grange trailheads are about 30 minutes away, the John Muir and Emma Carlin trailheads 30 to 40 minutes, and the Eagle headquarters about 40 to 45 minutes.
Can you camp in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit?
Yes. Ottawa Lake has 100 sites and is open year-round, Pinewoods has 101 sites and Whitewater Lake has 63 primitive sites, both mid-May to mid-October. There are also 3 backpack shelter sites on the Ice Age Trail. Reserve at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com or 1-888-947-2757.
Where can you hike in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit?
The Scuppernong loops (2.3 to 4.9 miles), 30 miles of the Ice Age Trail, and short nature trails at Paradise Springs, Scuppernong Springs, Stute Springs, Bald Bluff and Stony Ridge.
Can you cross-country ski in the Southern Unit?
Yes. The Nordic trails south of Palmyra and the McMiller trails south of Eagle are groomed, and both have shelters. Skiers 16 and older need a state trail pass.
Where can you eat near the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit?
East Troy Brewery on the way back to Lake Geneva, Hen House Cafe in Eagle for breakfast and lunch, Squidy’s in Palmyra for Friday fish fry, and The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago for apple pie.
Want the trailheads closer to home?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Geneva Lake and the towns along the Southern Unit, from Lake Geneva condos to wooded acreage near Whitewater, East Troy and Mukwonago.
Search Geneva Lake properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.