Ice Age Trail Map

Day 1 of 6

Lapham Peak to Whitewater Lake · 11 miles

Begin at Lapham Peak, the highest point in Waukesha County, about an hour from Milwaukee's airport. After a final gear check and a look from the observation tower, head south on the marked Ice Age Trail through rolling hills and woodlands. Your destination is the Whitewater Lake Campground, reached directly from the trail.

4 stopsDay one

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Drive from where are you driving from?~1 hr to Lapham Peak · car required · Drive

   Fly into Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) and drive about an hour west to Lapham Peak, the northern start of this Kettle Moraine backpack. This is a point-to-point hike, so set up your shuttle or two-car system before you start.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2BrewCityStu / CC BY-SA 4.0
   Lapham Peak trailheadHigh point of Waukesha County · WI State Park pass · Viewpoint

   Begin at Lapham Peak, the highest point in Waukesha County, with an observation tower and a final developed trailhead. Display a Wisconsin State Park pass on your vehicle and do your last gear check before heading south on the Ice Age Trail.

   ✕
3. ⠿↑↓3
   Hike Lapham Peak to Whitewater Lake11 mi · 6–7 hr · rolling hills · Hike

   Head south from Lapham Peak on the Ice Age Trail through rolling hills and woodlands, following the yellow blazes. It is a full 11-mile day with a fresh pack, so pace yourself and refill water at every reliable point on the way to Whitewater Lake.

   ✕
4. ⠿↑↓4
   Whitewater Lake CampgroundPotable water & restrooms · lodge

   Set up camp at Whitewater Lake Campground, reachable directly from the trail. It offers more amenities than the backcountry sites, potable water and restrooms, a good spot to resupply water before the primitive nights ahead. Reservations are recommended.

   ✕

Day 2 of 6

Whitewater Lake to John Muir Trailhead · 10 miles

Depart Whitewater Lake and continue south into the heart of the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Today's hike showcases classic glacial formations, kames, kettles, and eskers, with continuous but manageable elevation changes that make a solid workout.

2 stopsDay two

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Hike Whitewater Lake to John Muir Trailhead10 mi · 5–6 hr · glacial features · Hike

   Continue into the heart of the Southern Kettle Moraine. The day showcases classic glacial formations, kames, kettles, and eskers, with continuous but manageable elevation changes through open fields and dense forest.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2
   John Muir backcountry campsitePrimitive · permit required · lodge

   Pitch your tent at a designated backcountry site near the John Muir Trailhead. These are primitive, no water, restrooms, or trash service, so filter from natural sources, pack out everything, and have your site-specific Wisconsin DNR permit in hand.

   ✕

Day 3 of 6

John Muir Trailhead to Scuppernong · 10 miles

From the John Muir Trailhead, continue north on the Ice Age Trail through some of the Southern Unit's most diverse ground, prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands. Sections can be exposed, so sun protection matters. You aim for a backcountry campsite in the Scuppernong area, a tranquil setting for the night.

2 stopsDay three

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1Joshua Mayer from Madi / CC BY-SA 2.0
   Hike John Muir Trailhead to Scuppernong10 mi · 5–6 hr · prairie & savanna · Hike

   This segment leads through diverse ecosystems, prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands, with some exposed stretches where sun protection matters. The afternoon eases toward the Scuppernong springs and creek corridor.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2Chris Rycroft from Mad / CC BY 2.0
   Scuppernong backcountry sitePrimitive · near the creek · lodge

   Find your pre-reserved backcountry campsite in the Scuppernong area, a peaceful, spring-fed corridor. Filter water from the creek, pack out all trash, and expect mosquitoes near the water at dusk.

   ✕

Day 4 of 6

Scuppernong to Ottawa Lake · 10 miles

Leaving Scuppernong, the Ice Age Trail continues to weave through the Southern Kettle Moraine, challenging you with more significant elevation changes as you traverse a series of moraines. Expect consistent ups and downs, glimpses of wildlife, and serene forest.

2 stopsDay four

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1Chris Rycroft from Mad / CC BY 2.0
   Hike Scuppernong to Ottawa Lake10 mi · 5–6 hr · challenging moraines · Hike

   Today brings more significant elevation changes as you traverse a series of moraines, with steeper ascents and descents, scenic high points, and glimpses of wildlife. Watch the afternoon sky for building storms.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2Julia Taylor / CC BY 2.0
   Ottawa Lake CampgroundShowers, flush toilets & potable water · lodge

   Arrive at Ottawa Lake Campground, a developed site with showers, flush toilets, and potable water, your mid-trip comfort night. Resupply water fully and swim if conditions allow. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.

   ✕

Day 5 of 6

Ottawa Lake to Whitewater Segment · 10 miles

Depart Ottawa Lake and head toward the Whitewater Lake segment. This stretch feels more remote, with mature forests, wooded moraines, and views of Rice and Whitewater lakes from atop a steep rise. You will meet far fewer day hikers and get a real sense of the trail's solitude.

2 stopsDay five

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1JD Milburn / CC BY 3.0
   Hike Ottawa Lake to Whitewater Segment10 mi · 5–6 hr · remote forest · Hike

   Head toward the Whitewater Lake segment through mature forest and wooded moraines, with views of Rice and Whitewater lakes from atop a steep rise. It feels remote, with far fewer day hikers, so lean on your map or GPS at junctions.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2JD Milburn / CC BY 3.0
   Whitewater segment backcountry sitePrimitive · last night out · lodge

   Spend your final backcountry night at a designated site in the Whitewater segment. Confirm your permit is valid for this exact site, filter your water, and enjoy the quiet of the forest before the last day.

   ✕

Day 6 of 6

Whitewater Segment to Southern End · 9 miles

On your final day, complete the remaining miles of the Kettle Moraine section to the southern end of the Southern Unit, where the trail drops toward the glacial outwash plain and the city of Whitewater comes into view. The terrain gradually flattens as you approach the highway access at the segment's end.

2 stopsDay six

▾

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Hike to the southern end of the Southern Unit9 mi · 4–5 hr · final push · Hike

   Complete the final miles of the Kettle Moraine section to the southern end of the Southern Unit, where the trail drops toward the glacial outwash plain and the city of Whitewater comes into view. The terrain flattens as you approach the highway access.

   ✕
2. ⠿↑↓2JD Milburn / CC BY 3.0
   Celebrate & stay in Whitewater, WIBase town ~5 mi west · food & lodging · lodge

   Meet your pre-arranged shuttle at the trailhead, then head into Whitewater, about 5 miles west, to shower, eat, and stay the night. Confirm the exact meeting point and time with your ride, since parking near the trail's end can be limited.

   ✕