Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area

Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area is a protected natural area in Wisconsin featuring numerous kettle lakes and glacial landforms that define its landscape. The terrain shows clear evidence of ice age processes that shaped the rolling hills, ridges, and depressions throughout the region.

The area was established in 1971 as part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve to protect geological features from the last glacial period. This designation recognized the scientific importance of preserving these glacial landscapes for research and education.

The David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center presents exhibits about glacial formations, regional wildlife, and how ice age processes shaped this landscape, helping visitors understand the forces that created what they see.

The area provides over 30 miles of hiking trails, fishing spots, camping facilities, and winter sports options distributed throughout the recreation area. Visitors should know that the trails are accessible year-round, with each season offering different activities and conditions.

The area contains multiple kettle lakes formed by buried ice blocks that melted after the glacial period, leaving behind deep water-filled basins visible today. These lakes offer a direct window into how glacial retreat shaped the landscape thousands of years ago.

Location: Wisconsin

Inception: 1971

GPS coordinates: 45.21690,-91.38780

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03