Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 200 campsites
- Official site
- dnr.wisconsin.gov(262) 626-2116
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Partial closure Northern Unit KMSF Campgrounds and Lake-to-Lake Trail Closed (Beginning Fall 2027)Beginning in fall 2027, a large construction project will be taking place at the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit that will affect availability of… (more)
Beginning in fall 2027, a large construction project will be taking place at the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit that will affect availability of campsites in Mauthe and Long Lake campgrounds and the Lake to Lake Trail. For more information, please see: Impact: Moderate.
Posted by the park 2026-09-28. Official alert
Construction Northern Unit KMSF Logging Along Lake-to-Lake and Tamarack TrailsLogging operations are occurring along sections of the Lake-to-Lake Trail and the Tamarack Trail near the forest headquarters on CTH G. Work is… (more)
Logging operations are occurring along sections of the Lake-to-Lake Trail and the Tamarack Trail near the forest headquarters on CTH G. Work is expected to be completed by mid-Nov. 2026. Heavy machinery will be present, please use caution. Impact: Low.
Posted by the park 2026-10-09. Official alert
Overview
In Sheboygan County, about 11 miles southwest of Plymouth, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit covers about 30,180 acres.
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, and hunting in season. Camping is available: 200 campsites across 4 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping. The park says there are no showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center | Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
| Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Off-season | |
| Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
The forest is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. During the off-season, the Forest Headquarters is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The headquarters is closed Fridays through Sundays. The Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center is open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The visitor center is closed Mondays through Thursdays. Please note, office hours may vary based on staff availability.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times and under control; loose pets may be seized. Property-specific pet areas/restrictions appear on park pages.
Statewide rule from Wisconsin's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, resident vs nonresident pricing: a vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas (daily $13 WI / $16 out-of-state; annual $28 / $50; rates effective Aug. 19, 2025). State trails use a per-person trail pass for certain uses. Heritage Hill SP charges a per-person admission instead.
Statewide fee rule from Wisconsin's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Wisconsin park passes
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (Wisconsin plates) — $28. All Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas for 12 months Details
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (out-of-state plates) — $50. Same, nonresident vehicles Details
- 12-month pass, Wisconsin residents 65+ — $13. Resident senior vehicles Details
- 12-month reduced-rate pass (additional household vehicle) — $15.50 resident / $32.50 nonresident. Additional vehicles at the same household address; bought with a full-price pass Details
- Daily vehicle admission pass — $13 resident / $3 resident 65+ / $16 nonresident Details
From the Wisconsin state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Wisconsin State Park System reservations (Camis 'Going to Camp')
- Phone
- 1-888-947-2757
Camping reservations are required and can be made for the same day of your arrival or up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauthe Lake campground Mauthe Lake campground features 135 sites, including 51 electrical sites, a shower building with flush toilets located in the 300 loop, and several vault toilets throughout the campground. The campground is located within the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. The beach area has playground equipment. Food/drink concessions and kayak/canoe rentals are available seasonally. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are also available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are provided for registered campers. Mauthe Lake campground is open for camping year-round.
Mauthe Lake… | — | Electric (51 sites)Showers | — |
| Long Lake campground Long Lake campground offers 200 sites, including flush and vault toilets, and showers. The campground is located within the Long Lake Recreation Area. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are provided for registered campers. Long Lake Campground is open for camping the first weekend in May through mid-October.
Long Lake Recreation Area and Campground
N3450 Division Road
Cascade, WI 53010
Long Lake campground map
Get Directions - Long Lake Recreation Area and Campground | 200 | Showers | — |
| Greenbush group campground The Greenbush group campground offers nine non-electric outdoor group sites that accommodate groups of up to 40 individuals. The campground is located within the Greenbush Recreation Area. Only tent camping is allowed at the group sites. The sites are near the Greenbush Trail System, where campers can enjoy hiking or mountain biking. An enclosed shelter building, drinking water and vault toilets are available nearby. There are no shower facilities or electricity in the campground. The Greenbush group campground is open for camping from April through November.
Greenbush Recreation Area and… | — | Electric (some sites)Showers | — |
| New Prospect Horseriders' campground The New Prospect Horseriders' Campground features 22 family campsites with 20/30/50-amp electric service, as well as three group sites. Each family campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and a 30x30-foot graveled area with high-line hitching posts and corrals for horses.
• Campsites with 10x10-foot pipe corrals: 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22
• Campsites with 12x12-foot pipe corrals: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20
Each group site has a fire ring and four picnic tables. Group sites A and C each have nine, 10x10-foot metal pipe corrals. Group Site B has two tether post areas… | — | Electric (some sites)Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Property Notice: Beginning in fall 2027, a large construction project will be taking place at the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit that will affect availability of campsites in Mauthe and Long Lake campgrounds and the Lake to Lake Trail. For more information, please see Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit Conditions.
Campgrounds: The Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit has several camping areas. Check-in for camping is not required. Campers should proceed directly to their designated campsite. Directions and campground address are provided below.
Mauthe Lake campground
Mauthe Lake campground features 135 sites, including 51 electrical sites, a shower building with flush toilets located in the 300 loop, and several vault toilets throughout the campground. The campground is located within the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. The beach area has playground equipment. Food/drink concessions and kayak/canoe rentals are available seasonally. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are also available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are provided for registered campers. Mauthe Lake campground is open for camping year-round.
Mauthe Lake Recreation Area and Campground
N1490 County Road GGG
Campbellsport, WI 53010
Mauthe Lake campground map
Get Directions - Mauthe Lake Recreation Area and Campground
Long Lake campground
Long Lake campground offers 200 sites, including flush and vault toilets, and showers. The campground is located within the Long Lake Recreation Area. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are provided for registered campers. Long Lake Campground is open for camping the first weekend in May through mid-October.
Long Lake Recreation Area and Campground
N3450 Division Road
Cascade, WI 53010
Long Lake campground map
Get Directions - Long Lake Recreation Area and Campground
Greenbush group campground
The Greenbush group campground offers nine non-electric outdoor group sites that accommodate groups of up to 40 individuals. The campground is located within the Greenbush Recreation Area. Only tent camping is allowed at the group sites. The sites are near the Greenbush Trail System, where campers can enjoy hiking or mountain biking. An enclosed shelter building, drinking water and vault toilets are available nearby. There are no shower facilities or electricity in the campground. The Greenbush group campground is open for camping from April through November.
Greenbush Recreation Area and Campground
N5854 Kettle Moraine Drive
Glenbeulah, WI 53023
Greenbush group campground map
Get Directions -Greenbush Recreation Area and Campground
New Prospect Horseriders' campground
The New Prospect Horseriders' Campground features 22 family campsites with 20/30/50-amp electric service, as well as three group sites. Each family campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and a 30x30-foot graveled area with high-line hitching posts and corrals for horses.
- Campsites with 10x10-foot pipe corrals: 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22
- Campsites with 12x12-foot pipe corrals: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20
Each group site has a fire ring and four picnic tables. Group sites A and C each have nine, 10x10-foot metal pipe corrals. Group Site B has two tether post areas and 12x12-foot pipe corrals. No more than 20 people are allowed to occupy a group site.
Drinking water, vault toilets, an open-air picnic shelter, a covered stable with 24 box stalls and manure bunkers are provided. Campers can use the shower building located in the Mauthe Lake Campground. Campers are responsible for placing all hay and manure in the manure bunkers located throughout the campground. Wheelbarrows and forks are provided. Horses are to be kept in designated areas to protect the campground's green space.
The campground is centrally located within the state forest and offers easy access to the 33-mile bridle trail, which spans the entire length of the forest. There are also two loop trails, the 2.5-mile Crooked Lake Loop and the 4-mile Forest Lake Loop. All horse riders 16 years and older must have a state trail pass while using the designated bridle trails in the state forest. The campground opens the first weekend in May and closes the last weekend in October.
New Prospect Horseriders' Campground
W404 County Road SS
Campbellsport, WI 53010
Horseriders' campground map
Get Directions - Horseriders Campground
Backpack shelters
Five backpack shelters are available year-round for rustic camping along the 31-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. One backpack shelter is available from April 1 through November at the Zillmer Trail area. Each site offers a roofed trail shelter, a fire ring and a pit toilet. Drinking water is available within a short distance of each site.
Forest map
These sites are not accessible by vehicle. All camping equipment must be backpacked in, and all refuse must be packed out. A camping permit is required, and you must camp at a designated shelter campsite.
Reservations are required for all backpack sites. Only one reservation (camping party) is allowed per site per night. Reservations are limited to 10 persons per site and are limited to one night per site. Another site may be reserved for a second night and a third night at a third site.
If all the backpack sites are reserved for a weekend night on your hiking trip, consider staying one night at the Mauthe Lake campground.
Firewood: Firewood is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from a vending trailer at each campground: Mauthe Lake, Long Lake, Greenbush and New Prospect Horseriders.
Don't move firewood! Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, Wisconsin has restrictions on moving firewood.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingSwimming
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Group facilities
- Showers: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit offers a number of different accessible opportunities. The 6.5-mile Lake to Lake Trail has a crushed limestone surface that is firm and stable. This universal trail connects the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake recreation areas, which both offer accessible campsites. Mauthe Lake offers a universal kayak launch.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- Forest Headquarters
Campbellsport, WI 53010 - Nearest town
- Plymouth — about 11 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.6488, -88.1500 (from PAD-US)
- Phone
- (262) 626-2116
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is a linear property spread out over 22 miles between Glenbeulah and West Bend. Check-in for camping is not required. Campers should go directly to the campsite where they are staying. Campers should check their confirmation letter for the campground name and address of the reservation. Campground directions are also available below. Get directions: • To Long Lake Recreation Area and Campground • To Mauthe Lake Recreation Area and Campground • To Greenbush Recreation Area and Campground • To Horseriders' Campground • To Forest Headquarters • To Ice Age Visitor Center
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Wisconsin State Park System — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Wisconsin DNR 'Find a Park' directory (server-rendered Drupal view, ?page=0..5), filtered to /topic/parks/ property pages
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology