Cross Plains State Park
K-1448
Open times (Access Hours)
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
Entry Fee
A vehicle admission sticker is not required at Cross Plains.
Operating Sites in the Park
How pedantic are you about park boundaries and ownership? This sure is a park to consider that. The easiest to access state land is the portion just north of Old Sauk Pass. Park in the Ice Age Trail gravel lot on the south side of the road and head up the hill in the direction of the Homestead. At the top of the hill is an Ice Age Trail posting board and the state park gate across the street. Following the trails north, you can consider operating right near the road or further into the park. To the northwest slightly into the gully formation of the park there is a simple wooden bench that can provide an operating point. Otherwise find a convenient tree and pull up a spot of prairie nearby.
Access to the Birch Trail portion of the Wisconsin DNR land requires further exploration.
Parking and access to the US Fish and Wildlife Service land requires further exploration and consideration for activation correctness.
Park Facilities (restrooms, headquarters, entry points, etc.)
There are no restrooms or structures for public use around the park complex.
The park map is... less than fully helpful with indicating useful locations. There is parking marked for the Ice Age Trail on Timber Ln just north of Old Sauk Rd and on the south side of Old Sauk Pass. These are probably the easiest places to park for access to the Ice Age Trail and the Wisconsin DNR portions of the park complex.
Overall park complex map: https://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/download/widnr/etfqialzzo/Cross-Plains_Ice-Age-Complex-Map.pdf?u=lk8nsc&showinbrowser=true
Wisconsin DNR Interactive Map
Antenna Restrictions
You'll probably need to carry it.
Cellular Phone Coverage
Good cell coverage from the site located at the intersection of Timber Ln and Old Sauk Rd. You'll see it if you're arriving from the east.
Special Considerations
Intersects the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Operating the trail would be on federal or county land, though.
This park complex includes county, state, and federal lands in addition to encompassing private lands.
Beware other park users with unleashed dogs on the "unofficial" (but obviously well-established) trails on state land.
Park Website
Cross Plains State Park | Wisconsin DNR