Ice Age National Scenic Trail
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Ice Age National Scenic Trail at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Multi-day (visit in segments)
- Don't miss
- Scenic trail segments — see Things to Do for access points
- Nearby city
- Cross Plains, WI
Explore this park
About Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, managed and maintained by dedicated volunteers, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local partners, and the National Park Service.
Weather Information
Wisconsin has four distinct seasons.
- Summer
are generally warm, while winters are cold, often bringing significant snowfall.
Weather conditions can vary widely throughout the year and location on the trail. Prepare accordingly for each season when visiting the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Operating Hours
Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is not your 'typical' park. The trail is almost 1,200 miles long and crosses the state of Wisconsin north to south and east to west. The Trail is open year round. However some segments may be closed during Wisconsin's November 9-day gun deer hunting season. Additional information about hunting seasons, trail conditions and closures along the rest of the trail is available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
National Park Service Office
The operating hours for the National Park Service office located at 8075 Old Sauk Pass Road in Cross Plains, Wisconsin are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.
- Monday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Tuesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Wednesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Common questions
Planning Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Check the Permits tab on this page and Recreation.gov before you travel — campground, tour, or backcountry permits may apply even without park-wide timed entry.
See Permits tab →
