Photo Credit: Holly Thompson

Dogs on the Trail: Guidelines & Regulations

If you feel an adventure on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is not complete without your furry friend, you’re probably wondering: Is my dog allowed on the Ice Age Trail?

Yes, generally, dogs are allowed on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

General Guideline: Dogs Must Be Leashed (8-ft maximum length) and under control at all times.

However, in some areas dogs are prohibited entirely; in others, they must be leashed by law.

Dog Leash Requirements and Prohibitions

Certain segments may also have special regulations above and beyond the general leash requirement. These are in place due to the wishes of the landowner, a city, a county, or the State.

Click on each county name to view dog regulations for each segment (including ADDITIONAL regulations). In some areas, dogs are prohibited entirely; in others, they must be leashed by law.

Polk & Burnett Counties
  • St. Croix Falls Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Gandy Dancer Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Trade River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Straight Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Straight River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Pine Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • McKenzie Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Indian Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Sand Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Barron & Washburn Counties
  • Timberland Hills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on groomed ski trails in winter.
  • Grassy Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Bear Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Tuscobia Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Hemlock Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Rusk County
  • Northern Blue Hills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Southern Blue Hills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Chippewa County
  • Chippewa Moraine Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Harwood Lakes Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Firth Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Chippewa River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Cornell Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Taylor County
  • Lake Eleven Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Jerry Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Mondeaux Esker Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Pine Line Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • East Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Rib Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Wood Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Lincoln County
  • Timberland Wilderness Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Camp 27 Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. By law, dogs must be leashed April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • New Wood Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Averill-Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Turtle Rock Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Grandfather Falls Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Underdown Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Alta Junction Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Harrison Hills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Langlade County
  • Parrish Hills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Highland Lakes Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Summit Moraine Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Lumbercamp Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Kettlebowl Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Marathon County
  • Plover River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Dells of the Eau Claire Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Thornapple Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Ringle Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on private lands north of Mole Brook Rd.
  • White Cedar Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Portage & Waupaca Counties
  • New Hope Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Iola Ski Hill Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Waupaca River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Hartman Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Emmons Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Waushara & Marquette Counties
  • Deerfield Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Bohn Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Greenwood Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Mecan River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Wedde Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Chaffee Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • John Muir Park Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Sauk & Columbia Counties
  • Portage Canal Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Baraboo Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Sauk Point Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed in Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area (SNA) except on the IAT.
  • Devil’s Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Merrimac Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Gibraltar Rock Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Fern Glen Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Lodi Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Dane & Green Counties
  • Lodi Marsh Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Springfield Hill Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Indian Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Table Bluff Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Cross Plains Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Valley View Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Madison Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed between Woods Rd. and CTH-M.
  • Verona Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Montrose Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Brooklyn Wildlife Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Monticello Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Albany Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Rock County
  • Evansville Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Gibbs Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Arbor Ridge Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted in Janesville Parks May 15 to Sept. 15.
  • Devil’s Staircase Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted in Janesville Parks May 15 to Sept. 15.
  • Janesville Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted in Janesville Parks May 15 to Sept. 15.
  • Janesville to Milton Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Milton Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Storrs Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
Walworth & Jefferson Counties
  • Clover Valley Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the State Wildlife Area.
  • Whitewater Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Blackhawk Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Blue Spring Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Waukesha County
  • Stony Ridge Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Eagle Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Scuppernong Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Waterville Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Lapham Peak: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Delafield Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Hartland Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the Trail between Hartbrook Park and Centennial Park.
  • Merton Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Monches Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Washington County
  • Loew Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times, and by law during nesting season, April 15 to July 31, in the Loew Lake Unit (KMSF-LLU).
  • Holy Hill Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Pike Lake Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside park buildings.
  • Slinger Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Cedar Lakes Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • West Bend Segment: Dogs must be leashed (6-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Kewaskum Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Milwaukee River Segment (Washington County): Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Fond du Lac & Sheboygan Counties
  • Milwaukee River Segment (Fond du Lac County): Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Parnell Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Greenbush Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • LaBudde Creek Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Manitowoc County
  • Walla Hi Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Manitowoc Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Dunes Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are permitted on the Ice Age Trail through Woodland Dunes but are not permitted on other trails through the preserve.
  • Two Rivers Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Point Beach Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside park buildings.
  • Mishicot Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • East Twin River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Tisch Mills Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
Kewaunee & Door Counties
  • Kewaunee River Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Forestville Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times.
  • Sturgeon Bay Segment: Dogs must be leashed (8-ft max) and under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside park buildings at PSP or on groomed ski trails.
Special Leash Exemption:

Dogs may be unleashed in state parks, forests, and wildlife areas when they are being used for hunting purposes in areas open to hunting during an established season. Check with the individual DNR property for more information.

Why do we encourage leashes?

Safety and Comfort of Fellow Hikers

A common complaint we hear from hikers is that an off-leash dog bounded up to them, with no owner in sight. These encounters with unfamiliar dogs are nerve-wracking and can ruin the tranquility of a hike.

Not all Ice Age Trail users are comfortable with dogs and may be quite frightened when an off-leash dog rushes towards them, even when the owner assures them their dog is “super-friendly.” Leashing your dog ensures the safety and comfort of fellow hikers on the Trail.

Wildlife Considerations

Off-leash dogs are a greater disturbance to wildlife than those on the Trailway. Dogs cause wildlife to be more alert, which reduces feeding, sleeping, grooming and breeding activities and wastes vital energy stores that may mean life or death when resources are low.

This is especially true during winter or nesting seasons. In fact, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires all dogs be leashed on state wildlife areas from April 15 through July 31 to protect nesting birds.

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Dog off Leash, Storrs Lake Segment, Rock County
Off-leash dogs can startle unsuspecting hikers and wildlife. Photo by Lori Frison.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Fall, Blaze Orange, Hunting Season, Hiker, Woman, Dog
Hikers and their pets are encouraged to wear blaze orange, especially during hunting seasons in October through March. Photo by Paulette Walker Smith.

Your Dog’s Safety

Keeping your dog within sight and under control with a leash reduces the chances of dogs being harmed. Dogs can be attacked by startled or predatory animals, and wildlife can transmit diseases to dogs and vice versa, including rabies, Giardia, distemper and parvovirus.

Loose dogs can also be accidentally harmed in areas where hunting and trapping are allowed near the Trail Corridor. See a list of DNR hunting season dates here.

Private Landowner Requests

Sections of Ice Age Trail pass through or adjacent to private land. Be mindful of using dog leashes near private land: many landowners do not want loose dogs running on their property.

Dogs wandering on private land near the Ice Age Trail can lead to strained relations between landowners and the Ice Age Trail Alliance. It can even result in parts of the Trail closing permanently if landowners no longer wish to host the Trail.

The Do-Do's and Don'ts of Dog Waste

Dog waste is more than a nuisance to hikers on the Trail: it also causes water quality issues and negative health effects for humans and wildlife. Please pack out all dog waste.

Why should you pick up dog waste?

Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Dog, Water, Pet
A dog hydrates on the Ice Age Trail on a winter day. Photo by Holly Thompson.

Poop on the Trail Affects Hikers’ Experiences

Dog waste can negatively affect visitors’ experience in a natural area. Remember to ‘Leave No Trace‘ and carry your dog waste bags with you, even if you are hiking out and back on a particular segment. The hikers sharing the Ice Age Trail with you do not want to encounter what looks like litter (and irresponsible dog owners).

Dog Poop Affects Water Quality

Pet waste doesn’t just decompose. It adds harmful bacteria and nutrients to local waters when it’s not disposed of properly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, animal waste contains two main types of pollutants that harm local waters: nutrients and pathogens.

Even if the waste is off Trail and not visible, large quantities of dog waste travel with snowmelt and rainwater to nearby water bodies. When this waste ends up in water bodies, it releases phosphorous and nitrogen, which cause excessive growth of algae and weeds.

This nutrient pollution disrupts fragile freshwater ecosystems and reduces biodiversity in sensitive environments.

Dog Waste Can Cause Negative Health Effects

Dog waste both pollutes water and transmits harmful parasites and diseases to people. Humans can catch parasites and diseases such as hookworms, roundworms and salmonella from dog waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that waste produced by just 100 dogs can contain enough bacteria to temporarily close a beach to swimming and fishing.

Poop Can Impact Volunteer Work

Volunteers have noted that leaving dog poop and dog poop bags on the Trailway makes it difficult to maintain the Trail. They do not want to step on or mow over a bag of poop while they are clearing Trail corridor.

Proper Disposal Matters!

As per Leave No Trace principles, make sure to pack out trash and waste, including dog waste bags. Don’t leave baggies on the Trail or by the trailhead. Dispose of dog waste bags by placing it in a trash can or compost it at home using compostable dog waste bags.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Dog Waste Sign, Dogs
Always clean up after your pet! Photo by Holly Thompson.

Thank you!

The rising number of Ice Age Trail users requires a higher level of personal responsibility and accountability to reduce the cumulative impacts of off-leash dogs and dog waste on the Trail.