Dane: Trails, Lakes and Wetlands

More than 100 miles of shared-use bicycle trails connect communities, parks and natural areas throughout Dane County. The trail network offers a point of reference for travelers who want to make cycling the focus of their trip. For hiking, there are also individual park landscapes and named trails. In Dane County, the Ice Age Trail follows a section of the Badger State Trail between Purcell Road and County Highway A.

Lakes and Trails in the State Parks

Lake Kegonsa State Park sits on a 3,200-acre lake in Dane County and has more than five miles of hiking trails. Travelers who like to include a hike in their stay will find a clear sense of the park’s trail network here. At Lake Mendota, Governor Nelson State Park offers a different experience: it covers 422 acres and is on the lake’s west shore. Native American effigy mounds in the shapes of animals and symbols can be seen on the Woodland Trail. The two parks offer contrasting landscapes: a state park at Lake Kegonsa and parkland on the west shore of Lake Mendota with visible effigy mounds.

Experience Nature and Discover Connections

The UW Arboretum in Madison encompasses a variety of ecological communities and horticultural collections. It also features effigy mounds in the shapes of animals and symbols, along with more than 17 miles of trails. Admission to the arboretum is free. Free nature walks introduce visitors to identifying plants and animals, as well as to ecological concepts. The arboretum is therefore a great stop for anyone who wants not only to explore nature on trails, but also to learn more about plants, animals and habitats.

Cherokee Marsh, Dane County’s largest wetland, offers another perspective. It lies at the head of the Yahara chain of lakes. The Mendota Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park is part of a protected land complex that supports wildlife and native plant communities in the wetland and adjacent uplands. Birds found at Cherokee Marsh include barred owls, black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches and woodpeckers. Warblers are present during migration. For nature enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to focus on a wetland, its habitats and the region’s birdlife.

A Seasonal Market in Madison

Alongside the nature destinations, the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square is another possible travel interest. It traditionally takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Madison; the market is seasonal. Check the schedule before your visit so you can plan for the market during your travel dates. A local market experience can thus complement time spent at lakes, on trails and in wetlands, without conflating nature and city activities.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

The area’s attractions offer different experiences: shared-use bicycle trails, hiking trails in the state parks, ecological habitats at the arboretum and Cherokee Marsh, or the seasonal market in Madison. When choosing a hotel location, you can first decide which of these interests you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Middleton, Stoughton, Verona, Sun Prairie, Mount Horeb, Monona, Waunakee, Mcfarland, Deforest, Madison.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.