​​​​​Southern Kettle Moraine Horse Trails Association

Trail Passes & State Park Sticker

The SKMHTA is now a Trail Pass Vendor!  Purchase your daily or annual trail pass at a SKMHTA event, and a portion of your purchase stays with the club!

Trail passes are required for all riders over the age of 16.

Parking passes are required for all vehicles. 

Daily or annual passes may be purchased online, via a QR code posted at trailhead kiosks, or any DNR office. The park rangers do check, so be sure you purchase your pass and support the State Forest system!

Fall/Winter note: 
Water sources are turned off during cold temperatures, check with the DNR if you are unsure. 

Hunting is allowed in the State Forest, riders should be aware of open seasons and dress in Hi-Vis. 

​ATV's are not allowed on the trails at any time, however the bridle trails are part of the local snowmobile trail system and once snow falls, many sleds are out. The trails are open to horses year round, but use your best judgment when it comes to riding conditions, hunters and snowmobile encounters. 

Logging: 
The KM State Forest has ongoing understory removal and logging operations. (This does not always impact the horse trails). The contractor is responsible for keeping the trial clear: 
​"All slash shall be lopped and/or scattered to lie within three feet of the ground; slash must also be removed from all public access trails and roads. Slash shall be removed from trails so that it does not lie on OR protrude into the trail zone. Slash that may fall in these areas must be removed immediately. This is to be done concurrent with the cutting operation" 
" Excessive rutting (6") or any other damage caused by the harvesting operations must be repaired in a timely manner to the satisfaction of the Forest Superintendent."

Please inform Michael Sieger, at (262) 594-6209, or at michael.sieger@wisconsin.gov if this is not being done.

​Per DNR Feb 2023: Areas that are going to be thinned or mowed in the next couple of years include the area east of Hwy 67 between Wilton Rd and Hwy ZZ (this should focus on the pine stands vs. hardwood areas); and the area between McMiller to Hwy S.

The volume of trail available to ride in the South Kettle means you'll encounter various types of terrain on your ride. In general you'll find: sand, dirt, grass, rocks, and gravel. This region of Wisconsin is a glacial deposit area, and as such, features deep depressions and rolling hills, known as kettles and moraines, giving the State Forest its name.  Due to the nature of glacial deposits, hills and erosion, some sections of the trail can be quite rocky, and most riders choose to use front shoes or boots at a minimum. Use your best judgement, but often hoof protection can be warrented.

The Ottawa (Hwy ZZ) bridle trail loops are a little on the rocky side, but mostly softer ground and heavily wooded. Shoes are generally not necessary to ride these trails, but a tender footed horse may find themselves picking their way through and shoes or protective boots may be a good preventative option.

The trails at Eagle are beautiful and sandy, with few rocks. Most of the trails are wooded with some open areas. The SKMHTA has installed an Obstacle Course along this loop as a fun challenge!  These trails are near the McMiller Shooting Range, so it is very common to hear gunshots in the distance.

The Palmyra trails have some rather rocky sections due to erosion, so shoes or boots are strongly recommended. Check with other riders for suggestions on which trails to avoid if you do not have hoof protection for your horse and are concerned with trail conditions. Often the trails headed in the direction of the Eagle trailhead are less rocky than other trails heading out of the camp.​

For Current Trail Conditions: 262-594-6202 

To Report a Down Tree or other issue: 262-594-6220 

Please provide GPS coordinates, nearest mile marker, or other accurate location description.