How to Get a Kettle Moraine N Permit

Roofed trail shelters on 31 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, five of them bookable in January.

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About Kettle Moraine N

Six backpack sites on the Ice Age Trail through the Northern Unit — the standard overnight for a trail section hike.

The Northern Unit is where the Ice Age Trail runs through the landforms it was created to protect — DNR calls them "world-famous glacial landforms," and the forest is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. The shelters are the reason a section hike here works without a car shuttle every night, and the one-night-per-site rule means a two-night trip is planned as a point-to-point rather than a base camp.

The Experience

DNR describes the trail through here as moderate to difficult, following "sinuous eskers and tumbled moraines descending into bogs and deep kettles." A roof, a fire ring and a pit toilet is the whole of it, and in winter you may have all 30,000 acres to yourself.

What to Expect

DNR: "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." — the only one of these eleven areas where DNR says that.

"These sites are not accessible by vehicle. All camping equipment must be backpacked in, and all refuse must be packed out."

DNR publishes no walk-in distance for the Northern Unit shelters.

The forest is linear, spread over 22 miles between Glenbeulah and West Bend, so which shelter you book decides which end of it you are hiking.

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Permit Requirements

"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." — a multi-night trip means a different shelter each night.

Reservations open up to 11 months in advance, and same-day bookings are allowed.

"Check-in for camping is not required. Campers should proceed directly to their designated campsite."

Firewood must be certified or come from within 10 miles; vending trailers at Mauthe Lake, Long Lake, Greenbush and New Prospect Horseriders sell it 24/7.

Fires in fire rings and grills only.

Pets on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet, and not on marked nature trails (Spruce Lake Bog, Ice Age Center Moraine, Long Lake Summit).

The forest is closed to non-campers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

A vehicle admission pass is required. DNR honours certain federal entrance passes here because the forest is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve — "Holders of National Parks passports receive a waiver of the vehicle admission fees, but camping fees are not affected."

Gear & Preparation

Required Gear

•A pack — no vehicle reaches any of these sites
•Rubbish bags: all refuse is packed out
•A sleeping system rated for the season, since five of the six shelters are bookable in midwinter

Recommended Gear

•A tarp or bivy — the shelter is roofed but open
•A second reservation if you want two nights, because one night per site is the rule

Hazards & Safety

Poison sumac. DNR asks visitors to stay on the Spruce Lake Bog boardwalk "due to the fragile nature of the habitat and the presence of poison sumac."

Steep, wet or snow-covered tread. DNR on the Summit Trail: "Use caution on the steep elevation changes as the trail tread may be wet or snow-covered in winter."

Wisconsin state park water systems are weather-dependent and may be off from roughly Oct. 1 through May 15, so the winter bookings are the ones to carry water for.

Best Time to Visit

Five of the six shelters take bookings year-round, which makes this one of the few Wisconsin backcountry sites you can plan a winter trip around. The Zillmer shelter runs April 1 through November. Note that water systems across the state park system are weather-dependent from roughly Oct. 1 to May 15.

Written by

PermitSnag Team

100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience

This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Kettle Moraine N permit?

Kettle Moraine N permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.

When is the best time to visit Kettle Moraine N?

What gear do I need for Kettle Moraine N?

Essential gear includes: A pack — no vehicle reaches any of these sites, Rubbish bags: all refuse is packed out, A sleeping system rated for the season, since five of the six shelters are bookable in midwinter.