The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is an approximately 1,200-mile footpath that traces the boundary of the last glacier to cover Wisconsin, running from Interstate State Park near St. Croix Falls in the northwest to Potawatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay in the northeast. Designated by Congress as a National Scenic Trail in 1980, it passes through the Baraboo Hills and Devil’s Lake State Park, connecting some of the most geologically significant terrain in the Midwest. More than 100 hikers have completed the full route, either all at once or section by section, earning the title of “Thousand Miler.”
You can download a pdf of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail brochure at this link.
Suggested Route: The Devil’s Lake Loop
Distance: approximately 14 miles | Difficulty: challenging | Estimated time: 4–6 hours or more
[NEW — access note. Confirm parking specifics if you have them; this is accurate for the park generally.]
The route starts at Roznos Meadow. A Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker is required. The trail is signed throughout with Ice Age Trail markers; follow posted signage at all junctions.
- Begin at Roznos Meadow.
- Head up to the Uplands Trail and turn left (east).
- Drop down on the Balanced Rock Trail. At the bottom, you can access restrooms and other amenities on the park’s south shore.
- Continue along the south shore of the lake, then climb the West Bluff Trail north.
- At the North Shore, follow Ice Age Trail signs through the picnic area, up through the Northern Lights Campground, under the viaduct into the Ice Age Campground, and up the hill.
- Follow the signs to the Johnson Moraine Trail and head east until you cross County Road DL, then reconnect with the Uplands Trail and continue back toward Roznos Meadow.
- Optional extension: if you’ve staged a second vehicle, continue east toward Parfrey’s Glen via the Sauk Point Trail. Otherwise, follow the Uplands Trail back to your starting point.
Trail conditions vary by season. Spring can bring mud and standing water in low sections; summer weekends see heavy use on the bluff trails. Check current conditions before heading out.
About the Map
This interactive map highlights the Ice Age Trail through Devil’s Lake State Park, including nearby segments extending toward Parfrey’s Glen and the Wisconsin River corridor.
Trail data is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is intended for general reference. Always rely on posted signage and current conditions when navigating the trail.