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Ice Age National Scientific Reserve facts for kids

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Cross Plains
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Wisconsin Locator Map with US.PNG
Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
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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 32,500 acres (13,200 ha). 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 as of 2012 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 Name Location Geologic features Recreation
Campbellsport Drumlins State Park Campbellsport Drumlins Scenic 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


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