Hiking

There are more than nine miles of hiking trails in the park that offer many opportunities for viewing the spectacular scenery and natural attributes of the park. Guided hikes are offered during the summer months. Pets must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter at all times. Hiking trails vary in difficulty. Not all trails are surfaced; use caution on steep bluffs and near cliffs. Trail surfaces can become slippery when wet, leaf-covered or where there is loose gravel.

Eagle Peak trail (0.8-mile linear)

A trail to one of the highest points in the park overlooking the valley. Hike 120 feet in elevation from the Pines Group Camp up to Eagle Peak. Return from the Peak to the Group Camp or continue to the South Campground past a 1930s CCC traprock quarry. Unsurfaced; stone stairs; uneven and steep terrain.

Echo Canyon trail (0.7-mile loop)

Connects Summit Rock and Lake O’ the Dalles Trails. After leaving the summit the trail descends into Echo Canyon, an extinct riverbed carved by glacial meltwaters. The steep, rocky talus slope of the canyon walls cools the surrounding air. The trail intersects Lake O’ the Dalles Trail on the north shore. Unsurfaced; stone stairs; uneven and steep terrain.

Horizon Rock trail (0.5-mile linear)

Route of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail; connects Pothole Trail to the Ice Age Center. The trail ascends from cool, damp creek bed up along a wooded bluff to high, dry Horizon Rock where prairie plants thrive. Named for its panoramic view of the river valley, Horizon Rock has a historic stone shelter from which to enjoy the view. Continue past the shelter to the Ice Age Center. Unsurfaced; stone stairs; uneven terrain; observation point from the shelter.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Interstate is home to the western end of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Ice Age Trail includes various portions of other forest trails.

Lake O' the Dalles trail (1.0-mile loop)

Wildlife viewing trail. Circles 23-acre Lake O’ the Dalles, connects the beach, River Bottoms Picnic Area and the Camp Interstate Shelter. Forty yards of the trail follows the park road where a bridge crosses Dalles Creek. Unsurfaced, stone stairs; accessible fishing pier, Beach House.

Meadow Valley trail (0.3-mile linear)

Connects Horizon Rock Trail to the Beach parking area. Steep, switchback Talus Slope Trail descends the bluff below Horizon Rock Shelter to Meadow Valley Trail. Here the trail follows an extinct riverbed of glacial meltwaters now filled with ferns, mosses and wildflowers. Unsurfaced; stone stairs; uneven terrain.

Pothole trail (0.4-mile loop)

The western terminus of the 1,200-mile National Scenic Ice Age Trail and the most geologically unique trail in the park. A short hike to scenic views of the Dalles of the St. Croix River gorge. Walk atop Old Man of the Dalles rock formation past world-famous potholes formed by glacial meltwaters. Gravel surfaced; stone stairs; uneven terrain; observation deck and bench.

Ravine trail (0.5-mile linear)

Connects Skyline Trail to the Beach parking area. The trail descends 260 feet in elevation from the rim of the valley through ferns and old-growth forest to a stone shelter built in the 1930s. Unsurfaced; uneven and steep terrain; 40 wooden steps; shelter building.

River Bluff trail (0.7-mile loop)

The trail intersects Lake O’ the Dalles Trail on the north shore. From the lake the trail winds between canyon and pond up to the precipitous edge of the lower gorge. Near its end, the trail descends 60 feet in elevation from bluff to River Bottoms Picnic Area. Unsurfaced; stone stairs, uneven and steep terrain.

Silverbrook trail (1.2-mile linear)

Wildlife viewing trail. Hike through a variety of habitats to a remote area of the park rich in local history. The trail follows part of the original road from St. Croix Falls to Osceola. Pass by an abandoned copper mine to the grounds of Silverbrook Mansion and view 18-foot Silverbrook Falls. Unsurfaced; accessible; observation point and bench.

Skyline Nature trail (0.75-mile loop)

The self-guided interpretive trail begins at the Ice Age Center. Interpretive labels describe the changing landscape of plant communities. Unsurfaced; accessible.

Skyline trail (1.6-mile linear)

The longest trail in the park includes Skyline Nature Trail and part of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail; connects the Pines Group Camp to the Ice Age Center and intersects Ravine Trail. The trail climbs past rock-strewn ravines to the forested rim of the valley. Unsurfaced, uneven and steep terrain; wooden benches.

Summit Rock trail (0.5-mile loop)

A trail to the highest point on the bluffs with spectacular views of the river gorge. At the intersection turn right through Canyon Valley to the Summit. View Old Man of the Dalles rock formation located high on the Wisconsin bluffs upriver from the Pothole Trail observation area. At the intersection past the Summit stay left to return to the trailhead; to the right is Echo Canyon Trail. Unsurfaced; stone and wooden stairs; uneven and steep terrain; observation point.