Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a designated scenic route in southeastern Wisconsin that links the two units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The route traverses through scenic and historic areas, including landscape shaped by glaciers from the latest ice age, known as the Wisconsin glaciation.

Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive
Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive highlighted in green
Route information
Length115 mi[1] (185 km)
Major junctions
South endJct State Park Rd and Kettle Moraine Rd near Whitewater
North end CTH-P / CTH-J near Elkhart Lake
Highway system
Northern terminus

Route description

Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive generally follows county and local roads. It begins near Whitewater – at the southern expanse of the Kettle Moraine State Forest's southern unit (42°45′56″N 88°42′18″W), the drive takes a northeast trek and passes through six counties: Walworth, Jefferson, Waukesha, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan. The route's northern terminus is near Sheboygan County Broughton Marsh Park northwest of Elkhart Lake (43°50′53″N 88°02′29″W).[2]

History

The idea of a route along the Kettle Moraine was believed to be conceived in the early 1940s by the Kettle Moraine Committee of the Izaak Walton League – Milwaukee Chapter, which was the backbone behind the development of the Kettle Moraine State Forest units. The first surveying of the area did not begin until 1946. The Wisconsin Highway Commission approved the route in 1948 and the first paving project was completed in 1950.[1]

Attractions along the drive
March 2013 on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in the Southern Unit
Busy traffic in fall
1951/1952 start/finish line for Elkhart Lake race

The drive passes by various opportunities for recreation and tourism in the Kettle Moraine area. Access is provided to sightseeing, hiking, biking, camping, cross-country skiing and fishing facilities.[3]

The following state parks and forests are accessible via the scenic drive – from south to north:[1]

The following historical sites are accessible via the scenic drive – from south to north:[1]

  • Old World Wisconsin in Eagle
  • Holy Hill near Hubertus
  • Sylvanus Wade House in Greenbush
  • The north terminus and the northernmost several miles of pavement was part of the original track circuit for Road America in 1950. The corner at the north terminus was called the "Marsh Turn", and it is marked with a historical marker. There is also a historical marker along the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in the city of Elkhart Lake marking the site of the 1951 and 1952 start/finish line.[4]
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References
  1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "WDNR – Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive". Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  2. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "WDNR – Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive (Driving Directions)" (PDF). Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  3. Internet KMoraine. "The Drive". "Northern Kettle Moraine". Archived from the original on 2007-08-04. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  4. Simon, Brian (1999-12-21). Kettle Moraine Ride. Retrieved on 2007-08-26 from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).

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