Top 5 Lakes in Kettle Moraine State Forest

For families, Whitewater Lake offers a public beach, picnic areas, and nature trails, with activities like swimming and boating. Pike Lake is also family-friendly with a swimming beach, playground, and calm waters perfect for canoeing. Mauthe Lake provides a swimming beach and concessions, making it ideal for a day out with children.

You'll find numerous hiking opportunities. The Ice Age Trail meanders near lakes like Lake La Grange and Pike Lake. The Lake to Lake Trail connects Long Lake and Mauthe Lake, offering a scenic 6.5-mile route. Additionally, the Tamarack Circle Trail goes around Mauthe Lake. For more options, explore the hiking guides for Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Ottawa Lake is excellent for quiet paddling, allowing only electric trolling motors, and features a self-guided canoe trail. Butler Lake is another peaceful option, being spring-fed with no gas motors allowed. Forest Lake also provides clear waters ideal for quiet paddling.

Rice Lake is a prime spot for wildlife viewing, with a nature trail and a wildlife blind where you can observe bullfrogs, blue heron, raccoons, mink, muskrats, and various birds. Ottawa Lake also offers opportunities to see diverse vegetation and wildlife along its canoe trail.

Yes, Ottawa Lake is particularly notable for its accessibility. It features an accessible cabin and campsites, an accessible fishing pier, and a boat launch with an accessible boarding pier. A beach wheelchair and adaptive tandem kayak are also available for checkout.

Camping is available at several lakes. Long Lake has the Long Lake Campground with 200 sites and modern amenities. Mauthe Lake also offers the Mauthe Lake Campground with 137 sites, including electrical options. The Ottawa Lake Recreation Area also provides camping facilities.

The lakes are beautiful year-round. Summer is ideal for swimming, boating, and hiking. Fall offers stunning foliage, perfect for scenic walks. In winter, activities like ice fishing (popular at Whitewater Lake), cross-country skiing (Pike Lake, Elkhart Lake), and snowshoeing are popular.

Absolutely! The Lake to Lake Trail is a 6.5-mile compacted gravel path connecting Long Lake and Mauthe Lake, suitable for most bikes. You can find more cycling routes and information in the cycling guide for Kettle Moraine State Forest.

While the primary focus is natural beauty, the historic Heart Prairie Lutheran Church is located near Whitewater Lake. Additionally, the Ice Age Trail, which passes by lakes like Lake La Grange and Butler Lake, offers a journey through landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers, providing a historical geological context.

Elkhart Lake is renowned for its extremely clear and clean spring-fed waters. Sundays are designated as no-wake days for non-motorized watercraft, making it an excellent spot for sailing, with a local sailing club often holding races.

Visitors frequently praise the diverse recreational opportunities and the natural beauty. Many appreciate the peaceful settings for activities like paddling and wildlife observation, while others enjoy the well-maintained trails and family-friendly amenities. The glaciated terrain and unique natural history are also highly valued.