The Same Glacial Forces That Shaped Erin Hills, Without the Green Fee
The Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest covers 30,000 acres of terrain shaped by the same glacial activity that created the landscape at Erin Hills and the rolling terrain at Blackwolf Run. The geological formations here, kettles, moraines, eskers, and kames, are textbook examples of glacial geology, and the forest preserves them in a setting that ranges from dense woodland to open prairie.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs 31 miles through the forest, but shorter loops make a half-day visit practical. The Parnell Tower Trail covers 3.5 miles and culminates at a 60-foot observation tower with views across the Kettle Moraine landscape. The Butler Lake Trail offers a 3-mile loop around one of the glacial kettle lakes. For mountain bikers, the Greenbush trails provide 9 miles of single-track through varied terrain. Hiking trails total 13.5 miles across the Northern Unit.
Vehicle admission is $13 per day for Wisconsin plates and $16 for out-of-state vehicles. Annual passes are available at $28 for Wisconsin residents and $50 for non-residents. The forest is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The drive from Kohler Village takes approximately 20 minutes, placing the forest within easy reach for a morning hike before an afternoon tee time or as a full non-golf day paired with a visit to the nearby Old Wade House.
Located between Elkhart Lake and Fond du Lac. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. Vehicle entry $13 WI plates, $16 out-of-state. Bring water and appropriate footwear. Trail maps available at the forest headquarters. Cell service is limited in parts of the forest. Approximately 20 minutes from Kohler Village.
The geological connection to the golf. The glacial terrain that makes Erin Hills and Blackwolf Run distinctive is the same terrain preserved here in its natural state. Walking the Ice Age Trail provides context for the landscape you play on, which is a perspective few golf destinations can offer.