Recreation
Cross Plains State Park
Cross Plains State Park is part of the larger Glacial Passage Area, a partnership project of public lands cooperatively managed by the Wisconsin DNR, National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dane County Land and Water Resources Department and the nonprofit Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA).
Parking is allowed in designated areas only at the Glacial Passage Area. The main parking lot is on the south side of Old Sauk Pass Road, about 100 yards east of the NPS office building
Hiking
All federal, state and county lands are open to the public for hiking and walking year-round. There are 11.5 miles of hiking trails at the Glacial Passage Area; 4 miles are north of Old Sauk Pass Rd. and 7.5 miles are south of the road. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail goes through the Glacial Passage Area for 4.25 miles. Pets must be on a physical leash 8 feet or shorter and attended to at all times.
Fishing
Fishing is available near the state park in Shoveler's Sink, part of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land, and Black Earth Creek State Fishery Area.
Anglers ages 16 and over must have a Wisconsin fishing license.
Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the DNR land south and west of Old Sauk Pass Road during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Hunting and trapping are allowed on Dane County and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land. Hunting is prohibited on the DNR land north of Old Sauk Pass Road or National Park Service land.
Trapping is prohibited in closed areas, as noted on the hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties. For more information, please see:
Winter activities
Backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and hiking are available in winter.