Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit
The Northern Unit is the big one. At roughly 30,000 acres across Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties, it’s larger and wilder than its southern sibling, with taller hills, deeper woods, and the best observation tower in the whole forest. It’s about 90 minutes north of Lake Geneva, so this is a day-trip or weekend destination rather than an after-work hike.
This page is a spoke off the main Kettle Moraine guide. For the unit closer to Lake Geneva, see the Southern Unit.
The headquarters is at N1765 Highway G, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322. The Henry Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center at N2875 Highway 67 near Campbellsport is the place to start, with exhibits on the glacier and the trails.
Things To Do in the Northern Unit
- Parnell Observation Tower: A 60-foot tower at the highest point in the Northern Unit, reached by a 3.5-mile loop trail. The fall-color view from the top is the best in the forest.
- Dundee Mountain: A glacial kame with a 1-mile Summit Trail, long associated with local UFO lore and a great short climb.
- Spruce Lake Bog: A quarter-mile boardwalk through a National Natural Landmark bog with carnivorous pitcher plants and tamarack.
- Greenbush Trail System: 13.5 miles of hiking and 9 miles of mountain biking, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter.
- Zillmer Trail System: 11 miles of looping trail named for the man who dreamed up the Ice Age Trail, groomed for skiing in winter.
- New Fane and Butler Lake trails: Quieter loop systems good for hiking and skiing away from the crowds.
- Lake to Lake Bike Trail: A 6.5-mile crushed-limestone path linking Mauthe Lake and Long Lake, easy and family-friendly.
- Ice Age Trail, Northern Unit segment: About 31 miles run through this unit, with five backpacking shelters you can reserve along the way.
Lakes, Beaches, and Camping
- Mauthe Lake Recreation Area: A swimming beach, a campground, and a boat launch on a quiet no-motor lake.
- Long Lake Recreation Area: The biggest beach and campground in the unit, with a large day-use area.
- Backpacking shelters: Five three-sided shelters along the Ice Age Trail, reservable through the Wisconsin DNR, are the best way to sleep out here.
Reserve campsites through the DNR reservation system or 1-888-947-2757.
Historic Sites and Attractions Near the Northern Unit
- Wade House Historic Site: An 1850s stagecoach inn in Greenbush with a working blacksmith shop and one of the best carriage museums in the country, 920-526-3271.
- Old Wade House sawmill and grounds: Costumed interpreters, a sawmill, and wagon rides on 240 acres.
- Road America: A 4-mile, 14-turn road-racing circuit near Elkhart Lake, one of the best in the world, with a packed summer schedule.
- SoLu Estate Winery and Distillery: A winery and distillery near Cascade, right on the Kettle Moraine, with live music and tastings.
Restaurants and Dining Near the Northern Unit
The north end of the forest runs toward Elkhart Lake, which punches far above its size for food.
- Lake Street Cafe: A from-scratch diner in Elkhart Lake, baking its own bread and desserts, an easy walk from the Osthoff Resort.
- Otto’s, Elkhart Lake: the town’s fish-fry landmark, with a triple-threat Friday fry of cod, perch, and walleye.
- Quit Qui Oc Grill, Elkhart Lake: a golf-course restaurant with a traditional Friday fish fry and the locally famous “Weez” burger.
- Sandpiper Inn: A family-owned supper club near Lake Bernice in Campbellsport, known for broasted chicken, Friday fish fry, and Prime Rib Saturdays.
- Paddock Club, Elkhart Lake: a race-themed bar and grill dripping with Road America history.
- Hamburger Haus, Dundee: a roadside burger, curd, and ice-cream stop right on the Scenic Drive.
- Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company: A farm brewery near Elkhart Lake with house beer and pub food.
The Northern Unit Through the Seasons
Spring opens the bog boardwalk and the wildflower trails, and the migrating birds pour through. Summer is for Long Lake’s beach, the Lake to Lake bike path, and the Road America race weekends just up the road. Fall is the reason to make the drive: the climb up Parnell Tower in early-to-mid October gives you a 360-degree sea of color that the Southern Unit’s lower hills can’t match. Winter turns the Greenbush and Zillmer trails into groomed cross-country ski loops, with snowshoeing open across the rest of the forest.
Getting to the Northern Unit From Lake Geneva
- Campbellsport and the Ice Age Visitor Center: about 90 minutes via US-12 and WI-67.
- Dundee and Long Lake: about 95 minutes.
- Parnell Tower: about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Elkhart Lake: about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Because it’s a longer haul, the Northern Unit pairs naturally with the Scenic Drive day trip. Drive up the route, climb the tower, eat in Elkhart Lake, and come home.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Northern Unit
What is there to do in the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit?
Climb Parnell Tower for the best fall-color view in the forest, hike Dundee Mountain, walk the Spruce Lake Bog boardwalk, mountain bike the Greenbush trails, swim at Long Lake or Mauthe Lake, and hike or backpack the Ice Age Trail.
How far is the Northern Unit from Lake Geneva?
About 90 minutes north via US-12 and WI-67 to Campbellsport. Parnell Tower and Elkhart Lake are closer to 1 hour 45 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes.
Can you camp in the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit?
Yes. Long Lake and Mauthe Lake both have campgrounds with beaches, and there are five reservable backpacking shelters along the Ice Age Trail. Book through the Wisconsin DNR.
Where can you eat near the Northern Unit?
Elkhart Lake has the best food, including Lake Street Cafe and Otto’s for Friday fish fry. The Sandpiper Inn supper club in Campbellsport and Hamburger Haus in Dundee are closer to the trails.
Is Parnell Tower worth the climb?
Yes, especially in fall. The 60-foot tower sits at the highest point in the Northern Unit, and the 3.5-mile loop to reach it runs through hardwood forest that peaks in early-to-mid October.