Ice Age Trail: Points of Historical Interest in Waukesha County
March 16, 2025 | Topics: Places, Stories
by Kris Gould
Hiking is a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy nature all year round in Wisconsin. We have so many hiking trails! And one very special trail that all Wisconsinites should experience is the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Ice Age Trail is over 1000 miles long and located entirely in Wisconsin. The trail stretches from Sturgeon Bay in the east to the St. Croix River in the west. While hiking the Ice Age trail you can see first-hand the effect that glaciers had on the Wisconsin landscape more than 12,000 years ago.
44 miles of the Ice Age Trail are in Waukesha County, where I live. This is the part of the trail I am most familiar with, and I’d like to share a few of my favorite spots. These are all locations where you can combine a hike with a visit to a unique historic site.
Paradise Springs Nature Area
At Paradise Springs Nature Area, you can walk an accessible paved trail to see the remains of the old Spring House. The water is crystal clear, and fish are often visible. It’s a great place to visit with kids.
The nature area offers many interpretive signs that explain the history of Paradise Springs. For example, you’ll learn that a horse track, spa and hotel were once located at the spring. The water was bottled and sold as “Lullaby Baby Drinking Water” and “Minnehaha Water” as well as other names.
Paradise Springs Nature Area is located on Highway N, north of the town of Eagle. The nature area has its own parking area. The Ice Age Trail can be accessed from roadside parking on Highway N, just north of Paradise Springs.
Gotten Log Cabin
The Gotten Log Cabin is just across Highway N from Paradise Springs Nature Area. It was built in the early 1850s by German immigrants, Henry and Barbara Gotten. They lived here with their two children. How would you like to live in this one room cabin in the Wisconsin winter?
Brady’s Rocks
Brady’s Rocks are what is left of the former home of Irish immigrants, Michael and Kathleen Brady, who settled here in 1855. They had 6 children and lived in a 12′ x 12′ log cabin. Michael Brady quarried stone from the area which is a part of the Niagara Escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment runs from New York, through Wisconsin, to Illinois. The most famous part of the escarpment is, of course, Niagara Falls.
To reach Brady’s Rocks, park at the Highway 67 Trailhead (a state park sticker is required to park here). Head south on the Ice Age Trail and then follow the spur trail, marked with white blazes. From this starting point, the hike is approximately 3.5 miles out and back.
Lapham Peak Tower
Lapham Peak is the tallest point in Waukesha County – 1233 feet above sea level. It was named after Increase Lapham who was a conservationist and geographer in the 1800s. The observation tower is an additional 45 feet high and offers views of landmarks such as Oconomowoc and Holy Hill.
The Tower is located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit (a state park sticker is required to enter). You can drive directly to the base of the tower or park in the Evergreen parking lot and hike the Ice Age Trail to reach the tower. It will be uphill all the way. Prepare to work up a sweat!
Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk
The Ice Age Trail passes through the City of Delafield which is an Ice Age Trail Community. For 3/4 of a mile along the Bark River, the Ice Age Trail coincides with the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk. There are monuments and informative signs that honor Wisconsin Veterans starting with those who served during the American Revolution. Delafield also has many local restaurants and shops so this is a great destination if you’d like to combine hiking with shopping and lunch!
After reading this, I hope you are excited to visit one of these spots while hiking the Ice Age Trail in Waukesha County. It’s a great way to experience nature and learn a little Wisconsin history as well.
Related stories:
Celebrating the Ice Age Trail in Southeastern Wisconsin!
Autumn Splendor on the Ice Age Trail – Milwaukee River Segment!
Kris Gould is a writer and conservation photographer based in Wisconsin.