The Ice Age National Scenic Trail stretches nearly 1,200 miles across Wisconsin, following the edge of the last great glacier that retreated 12,000 years ago. Families encounter dramatic kettles, eskers, and moraines—glacial features that tell the story of ancient ice sheets carving this landscape. The trail passes through 15 tribal ancestral lands and connects diverse ecosystems from prairies to forests. Unlike traditional national parks, this scenic trail offers families the unique opportunity to explore glacial geology across an entire state, with accessible segments perfect for day hikes and educational adventures.
Junior Ranger Program at Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age Trail's Junior Ranger program invites kids to become glacial detectives, completing activities that teach them to identify glacial landforms, understand how ice shaped Wisconsin, and discover the plants and animals that call this trail home. Young explorers earn their Junior Ranger badge by participating in guided hikes, completing trail workbooks, and learning about Leave No Trace principles along this nationally significant trail.
- Hunt for glacial boulders and learn how ice moved massive rocks
- Explore unique landforms like kettles and kames created by melting glaciers
- Discover native Wisconsin wildlife including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys
Program Details
Download Junior Ranger Booklet
Get a head start! Download and print the booklet before your visit.
Source: NPS Junior Ranger Program Page
Best Ages for Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ages 4–8
Young children love the drawing activities and simple nature observation exercises throughout the booklet. Parents will need to help with reading instructions, but kids can independently color, draw what they see on the trail, and participate in scavenger hunt activities.
Ages 9–12
Middle elementary kids can tackle most activities independently, including the geological feature identification and trail mapping exercises. They particularly enjoy the detective work of spotting glacial landforms and understanding how ice carved Wisconsin's landscape.
Ages 13+
Teens and adults appreciate the scientific content about glacial processes and tribal history woven throughout the activities. The booklet includes evaluation exercises that encourage critical thinking about conservation and the trail's ecological significance across multiple ecosystems.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
With nearly 1,200 miles of trail and numerous trailheads across Wisconsin, families can access segments from major cities throughout the state. Popular starting points include Devil's Lake State Park and Kettle Moraine State Forest, both offering parking and trail access. Check the Ice Age Trail Alliance website for current trail conditions and specific trailhead locations.
Van & RV Notes
Many state parks along the trail accommodate Sprinter vans, including Devil's Lake and Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds offer electric hookups, though sites vary in size — call ahead to ensure your 22-foot van fits. The trail's distributed nature means you can base camp at different locations and explore multiple segments.
Best Time to Visit
May through October offers the best hiking conditions, with peak foliage in September and October providing stunning backdrops for family photos. Winter brings cross-country skiing opportunities, but note that some trail segments close during Wisconsin's gun deer season in November. Summer can be buggy in wooded sections, so pack repellent.
How Long to Spend
Plan day trips to explore different trail segments rather than attempting long-distance hiking with young kids. Each segment offers unique glacial features, so families typically visit 2-3 different areas over a long weekend to experience the trail's diversity.
Don't Miss
The Kettle Moraine segments showcase some of Wisconsin's most dramatic glacial features, including deep kettles formed by melting ice blocks. Devil's Lake offers the perfect combination of trail access and family amenities, with swimming and picnicking alongside your glacial education adventure.
Fun Facts for Kids
The trail follows the terminal moraine—the farthest point south that the last great glacier reached 12,000 years ago
Some kettles along the trail are over 100 feet deep, formed when huge blocks of ice were buried and later melted
The trail crosses through 31 counties and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 different tribes
Wisconsin is one of only a few states where you can see all major types of glacial landforms in one location
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
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