Black River State Forest Ice Age Trail Connector

This 14-mile connector road links the Ice Age Trail segments through some of Wisconsin’s most distinctive landscape — sandy hills and kettle lakes left behind when the glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago. The trail starts near Millston, winding through jack pine barrens where sharp-tailed grouse strut in spring clearings. The sand gets deep around Pigeon Creek, especially after mile 8 where the trail drops into a glacial outwash plain. Four-wheel drive and aired-down tires make the difference between cruising and digging.

Easy to moderate difficulty, but the deep sand sections will catch you off guard. Stock 4WD handles it fine with proper tire pressure — drop to 15-18 PSI when you hit the sand. Best from June through September when it’s dry. No permits needed, but respect hunting seasons in fall. Several primitive camping spots near the kettle lakes, and the bird watching here rivals anywhere in the Midwest. Bring a portable air compressor and plenty of water — the sand will work your cooling system harder than you’d expect.