Ice House Campground

The Ice House Campground is a gorgeous mountain retreat, located along the cool waters of the Ice House Reservoir. The campground sits on an elevation over 5,000, offering pretty views of the vast forests, grasslands, and lake that surround the area, with options to camp, boat, swim, and fish. A trail that passes through the campground is called the Ice House Mountain Bike Trail, which offers nearly 6 miles of even path to explore on.

Parking for the campground requires a fee, but if you plan on staying the night with your pooch or enjoying other activities other than the trail, there will be additional fees. Amenities in the campground include water fountains, toilets, a boat launch, picnic tables, and camping sites. If you're just there to hike though, the trail itself begins on the east side of the campground, right along the water near a small picnic boardwalk with trash bins and water fountains. The trail is paved and holds a 5-foot width throughout.

The trail follows along the river's edge for about a mile before it turns north, entering forests of trees and thick shade, and exploring the northern part of the campground. The area is not fenced-in and can be accessed by wildlife including deer, elk, wolverines, groundhogs, and foxes, so keep your  pup leashed. The trail has minimal inclines and remains easy going throughout the entire experience.

After about three miles, the trail turns from asphalt to compacted soil, making the hike a bit rougher for walkers and bikers. Towards the end of the trail, it reaches Ice House Road, where there is room to turn off the road and park to get free parking, not inside the campground, and access the trail from here. After enjoying this cool and scenic hike through the forest, you and Fido will be sure to come back again and again to explore.