Mukwonago River Unit

A different corner of Kettle Moraine

From Rainbow Springs to state forest

The official name is Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit. Wisconsin DNR describes this 970-acre property as the former Rainbow Springs property, spanning parts of Waukesha and Walworth counties in the Mukwonago River watershed.

The unit adjoins Lulu Lake State Natural Area and protects a varied landscape in a watershed known for its biological diversity. This gallery focuses on the southern woods Brian explored from Highway J; it is a glimpse of one part of the property.

Gravel route beside evergreens in early spring at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Gravel route beside evergreens in early spring

Green Heron standing in shallow water at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Green Heron standing in shallow water

Look high, low, and toward the water

Small discoveries along the way

A Northern Cardinal brings a flash of red to bare branches, while a Green Heron and Painted Turtle show the wildlife found beside the water. Along the sunny paths, blue flax, vervain, and yellow St. John’s-wort add color.

The quieter details deserve a look too: a pine cone nestled among needles, a small fern, and leafy lichen on the woodland floor. Brian’s close-up photographs make these easy-to-miss textures part of the walk.

Plan your visit

Starting from Stringers Bridge Road

Brian’s starting point

Brian parked along County Highway J / Stringers Bridge Road near 42.829965, -88.415222 and hiked north into the forest. These coordinates identify his starting area; they are not a mapped route or a trail-distance measurement.

Access and hours

DNR lists parking access on County Highways J and E in Walworth County, plus Highway LO in Waukesha County. The unit is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round, and a vehicle admission sticker is not currently required.

Before heading in

Use posted signs and current DNR information to plan your walk. Respect property boundaries and any closed areas or active work zones; DNR notes that remnants of former structures may present hazards.

Photographs from the walk

21 selected photographs, grouped by subject. Open any image for the slideshow; additional photographs load into the same gallery.

Woodland paths & evergreen details

Sunny sandy trail between green trees at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Sunny sandy trail between green trees

Grassy two-track through summer woodland at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Grassy two-track through summer woodland

Red pine needles against a blue sky at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Red pine needles against a blue sky

Pine cone among long needles at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Pine cone among long needles

Drooping spruce branches against the sky at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Drooping spruce branches against the sky

Young Eastern White Pine in the woods at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Young Eastern White Pine in the woods

Soft needles of an Eastern White Pine at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Soft needles of an Eastern White Pine

Birds, a turtle & a skipper

Male Northern Cardinal perched on a bare branch at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Male Northern Cardinal perched on a bare branch

Painted Turtle basking on a fallen branch at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Painted Turtle basking on a fallen branch

Skipper resting on a flower bud at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Skipper resting on a flower bud

Wildflowers & the forest floor

Blue flax flower in bloom at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Blue flax flower in bloom

Purple hoary vervain flowers at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Purple hoary vervain flowers

White vervain growing along the woodland edge at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — White vervain growing along the woodland edge

Clusters of yellow St. John’s-wort flowers at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Clusters of yellow St. John’s-wort flowers

Close view of yellow St. John’s-wort flowers at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Close view of yellow St. John’s-wort flowers

Forked catchfly with small white flowers at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Forked catchfly with small white flowers

Small fern growing among moss and pine needles at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Small fern growing among moss and pine needles

Leafy lichen among pine needles and fallen leaves at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Leafy lichen among pine needles and fallen leaves

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Close view of a cushion of moss at the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin — Close view of a cushion of moss

Official information & directions

Property background and visitor information: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Parking coordinates and the northbound walk are from Brian’s visit.

Official Forest Information Access & Visitor Details Brian’s Parking Area ← Back to Places to Explore

From Rainbow Springs to state forest

Small discoveries along the way