Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Madison, WI Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

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Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Scenic Trail

Operating Hours & Seasons

Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is not your ‘typical’ park. The trail is almost 1,200 miles long and crosses the state of Wisconsin north to south and east to west. The Trail is open year round. However some segments may be closed during Wisconsin’s November 9-day gun deer hunting season. Additional information about hunting seasons, trail conditions and closures along the rest of the trail is available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM

National Park Service Office

The operating hours for the National Park Service office located at 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100 in Madison are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Standard Hours

• Sunday: Closed
• Monday:8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Tuesday:8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Wednesday:8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Thursday:8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Friday:8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Saturday: Closed

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – Fees
  Some public lands such as state and county parks located along the Trail may charge entrance fees. Camping registration, permits, and fees may also be needed. Before your visit you should check with the local land manager regarding possible fees and registration requirements.

Entrance Passes:

• $0.00 – Passes
  Available for purchase online.

About

A Mammoth Walk

A mere 15,000 years ago during the Ice Age, much of North America lay under a huge glacier. Mammoths, saber tooth cats and cave lions roamed the earth! Some of the best evidence of this glacier is found in Wisconsin such as the state’s many lakes, river valleys, gently rolling hills, and ridges. The nearly 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, established in 1980, traces the glacier’s edge.

Directions

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail stretches nearly 1,200 miles across Wisconsin. Plane Commercial airports are located in major cities and regional communities throughout the state at varying distances from the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Car Numerous trailheads with parking are located throughout the state.

Weather

Wisconsin has four distinctly different seasons. Wisconsin’s continental climate means this state enjoys a little bit of everything, weather-wise. Summers are generally warm and pleasant, while the area is covered with a thick blanket of white snow in winter.