The Ice Age National Scientific Reserve is an affiliated area of the National Park System of the United States comprising nine sites in Wisconsin that preserve geological evidence of glaciation. To protect the scientific and scenic value of the landforms, the U.S. Congress authorized the creation of a cooperative reserve in 1964. The scientific reserve was established in 1971 and today encompasses some . The landforms are the result of the Wisconsin glaciation during the last glacial period, which lasted from about 110,000 to 10,000 years ago.
The nine units of the reserve, mostly Wisconsin state parks or other protected areas, are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Several units are not yet developed for visitation, having only minimal trails and no interpretive installations. Planning was underway for the future development and management of the Cross Plains unit. Several of the sites are joined by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, but the reserve is a separate entity. Units of the reserve that charge state park access fees also accept federal passes.
Units Site NameLocationGeologic featuresRecreation Campbellsport Drumlins State ParkCampbellsportDrumlinsScenic drive Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area New Auburn Kettle lakes and ponds, stagnant ice terrain, ice-walled lake plains Interpretive center, camping, and trails Cross Plains State Park Cross Plains Driftless Zone topography, glacial lakes, gorge Trails Devil's Lake State Park Baraboo Large kettle lake, terminal moraine Interpretive center, camping, non-motorized boating, trails, swimming, picnicking Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area Horicon Extinct glacial lake, drumlin interpretive Center, Wildlife viewing, trails, boating, picnicking Interstate State Park St. Croix Falls Dalles of the St. Croix River, glacial potholes Interpretive center, camping, non-motorized boating, trails, swimming, picnicking, fishing Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit Glenbeulah and Kewaskum Kettle Moraine, kames, eskers, kettle lakes Interpretive center, camping, boating, trails, swimming, picnicking Mill Bluff State Park Camp Douglas Former islands and lakebed of Glacial Lake Wisconsin Camping, trails, swimming, picnicking Two Creeks Buried Forest State Natural Area Two Creeks Exposed stratum with floral remains Undeveloped
References
External links Ice Age National Scientific Reserve–Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Geology of Ice Age National Scientific Reserve