Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and nearby photo locations.
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Ice Age the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 56° (NE) at the June solstice and 123° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 305° (NW) in June to 238° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 69° in summer but only 23° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:30 AM | 8:16 AM | 4:01 PM | 4:46 PM | 241° | 9h 16m |
| February | 6:58 AM | 7:39 AM | 4:48 PM | 5:28 PM | 253° | 10h 30m |
| March | 7:11 AM | 7:50 AM | 6:26 PM | 7:05 PM | 268° | 11h 53m |
| April | 6:16 AM | 6:54 AM | 7:03 PM | 7:42 PM | 285° | 13h 26m |
| May | 5:33 AM | 6:15 AM | 7:36 PM | 8:18 PM | 298° | 14h 45m |
| June | 5:16 AM | 6:00 AM | 7:59 PM | 8:43 PM | 305° | 15h 28m |
| July | 5:30 AM | 6:13 AM | 7:57 PM | 8:40 PM | 302° | 15h 10m |
| August | 6:03 AM | 6:43 AM | 7:25 PM | 8:04 PM | 291° | 14h 01m |
| September | 6:38 AM | 7:16 AM | 6:33 PM | 7:11 PM | 275° | 12h 32m |
| October | 7:13 AM | 7:53 AM | 5:37 PM | 6:16 PM | 259° | 11h 03m |
| November | 6:54 AM | 7:38 AM | 3:50 PM | 4:34 PM | 245° | 9h 39m |
| December | 7:27 AM | 8:14 AM | 3:34 PM | 4:22 PM | 238° | 8h 55m |
Computed for the park's reference point (43.9896, -89.5612); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Ice Age, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 3.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 17° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 3 (rural sky), good enough for detailed Milky Way images.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| March | 4:51 AM – 5:31 AM | 0.7 | 14° |
| April | 2:47 AM – 4:27 AM | 1.7 | 16° |
| May | 12:52 AM – 3:22 AM | 2.5 | 17° |
| June | 11:08 PM – 2:48 AM | 3.7 | 17° |
| July | 10:54 PM – 1:24 AM | 2.5 | 17° |
| August | 9:56 PM – 11:26 PM | 1.5 | 16° |
| September | 8:49 PM – 9:19 PM | 0.5 | 13° |
| October | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
3 Estimated Bortle 3 — Rural sky. Some light domes sit on the horizon, but the Milky Way still looks complex overhead.
Weather & best time to visit
Wisconsin has four distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm, while winters are cold, often bringing significant snowfall. Weather conditions can vary widely throughout the year and location on the trail. Prepare accordingly for each season when visiting the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show July as the clearest month (about 48% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (71%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans nearly 1,200 miles across Wisconsin. Major commercial airports are located in cities and regional hubs throughout the state, offering access to the trail. Numerous trailheads with parking are available, allowing you to explore the trail at various entry points along the route.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Fishing
- Hands-On
- Volunteer Vacation
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
