Chippewa Moraine Backcountry Sites Permit
Chippewa Moraine SRA (WI) · Wisconsin
Three backcountry sites along the Ice Age Trail.
Get an alert when Chippewa Moraine opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 11 months
- First come, first served from 11 months before your start dateYou book on the agency's site.
Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Chippewa Moraine were gone within 10 minutes.
How to get a Chippewa Moraine permit
As of September 2026, Chippewa Moraine in Chippewa Moraine SRA (WI), Wisconsin requires a permit issued via reservation. Chippewa Moraine is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Chippewa Moraine permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- Chippewa Moraine, WI
Step 1: Create a Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp) account
Sign up at Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp) if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Chippewa Moraine: Live availability activityWhen Chippewa Moraine permits open up
The Chippewa Moraine hike
Chippewa Moraine landmarks
- 1David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center
On County Highway M, 7 miles east of New Auburn. DNR: it "houses first-class glacial, cultural and natural history displays." Two of the three campsites are within half a mile of it.
- 2Ice Age National Scenic Trail
23 miles of well-marked trail across the property. DNR: "The entire trail is over 1,000 miles long and follows the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin."
- 3Adam Cahow Trail
A 4.7-mile loop, the longest of the property's three mapped loops.
- 4Shattuck, Jeanstow and Horseshoe lakes
Among the kettle lakes DNR names for boating, canoeing and kayaking; the canoe-in campsite is out among them.
Three outpost sites on the Ice Age Trail: two a half-mile in, one five miles out by canoe.
About this permit
Wisconsin DNR: "Situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area offers unspoiled beauty with kettle lakes and many glacial features. Hiking, snowshoeing, backpack camping, fishing and bird watching are popular activities. The David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center houses first-class glacial, cultural and natural history displays." (dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/chipmoraine, read 2026-08-09.)
Why it matters
The Chippewa Moraine is a piece of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, and the trail through it follows the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin. DNR: "Hike or snowshoe the trails to see glacial kettle lakes, hummocks, ice-walled lake plains and wildlife." Three sites means the whole 23-mile trail network has three legal places to sleep.
The feeling
Kettle lakes in every hollow and hummocks between them, on foot only: no bikes, no horses, no engines. Two of the sites are close enough to walk in after work; the third takes a boat and most of an afternoon.
Chippewa Moraine hike highlights
- DNR: "Three outpost campsites provide a peaceful experience for those who enjoy primitive camping."
- They are not equivalent. DNR: "Two of the sites are within a half-mile of the interpretive center. The third campsite is a canoe-in site about 5 miles away from the park headquarters."
- "Each site has a fire ring and an open-air toilet." Carry your water.
- The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the property and connects the interpretive centre, the loop trails and all three campsites.
- "The trails are for foot travel only and motorized vehicles, horses or mountain bikes are not allowed in the Chippewa Moraine."
When to hike Chippewa Moraine
Best time to visit
The property is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and DNR lists hiking, snowshoeing, backpack camping, fishing and bird watching as what people come for. Interpretive centre hours vary.
Chippewa Moraine rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Water for the stay; there is no supply at the sites
- A boat for the third site, which is canoe-in about 5 miles from headquarters
- Rubbish bags
Recommended gear
- Snowshoes in winter: DNR lists snowshoeing as a main activity here
- A map of the Ice Age Trail segment; 23 miles of it are marked across the property
Rules & regulations
- 01"Camping reservations are required and can be made for the same day of your arrival or up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site."
- 02Check-in is 3 p.m., checkout is 1 p.m.
- 03No more than 14 days of camping in any 21 days.
- 04The property is closed to non-campers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- 05Firewood must be certified or come from within 10 miles.
- 06Fires in the fire ring only; carry out all rubbish.
- 07Pets on a leash 8 feet or shorter and under control at all times near the visitor centre.
- 08Vehicle admission stickers are required at the North and South Shattuck boat landings and at the County Highway M trailhead.
- 09Certain federal entrance passes are honoured here (the property is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve), but DNR is explicit that "camping fees are not affected."
Hazards & considerations
- The canoe-in site is about five miles out: carry all your water.
- Ice, if you are here in winter. DNR: "Ice fishing is available. Staff members do not monitor ice conditions on the area lakes."
- Wisconsin state park water systems are weather-dependent and may be off from roughly Oct. 1 through May 15.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Chippewa Moraine.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Chippewa Moraine · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Chippewa Moraine FAQ
How do I get a Chippewa Moraine permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Chippewa Moraine cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Chippewa Moraine permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Chippewa Moraine?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Chippewa Moraine permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Chippewa Moraine permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Chippewa Moraine trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Chippewa Moraine permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Kettle Moraine North Backpack Sites
Six roofed shelters on another 31 miles of the Ice Age Trail, across the state.
Tradeoffs
A roof, a pit toilet and water within a short distance of each site, but a four-hour drive from here.
- Same AreaPermit required
Chippewa Flowage Boat-In Campsites
Eleven island sites an hour north, if the canoe-in site is what you were after.
Tradeoffs
Bigger water and more choice, but a May 1 to Nov. 30 reservation season and DNR names bears that swim to the islands.
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