Our friends live about 10 minutes from this park and recommended we check it out, so we stopped by…read moreafter visiting them. There's a huge rock formation that definitely catches your eye, but the path leading up to it isn't well paved. You'll need to navigate through some tall brush if you plan to climb up. I wouldn't suggest attempting it unless you have proper shoes and decent balance (or a good core!). We saw a few adventurous teenagers make the climb, though. Aside from that, there are several nearby trails that are much better maintained and perfect for a casual walk or light hike. Overall, it's a nice county park with plenty of parking spaces to explore, especially if you're in the area and want a bit of fresh air and nature.

Discovered this park while looking for a hiking spot after visiting Mt. Horeb. Only 6 minutes drive…read morefrom Mt. Horeb and what a great hidden gem. We parked at Pop's Knoll which has a gravel parking lot for about 20 vehicles. About 100 meters from the parking lot is an area with a covered shelter with picnic tables and a toilet room. What really surprised me about this park was how well the trails were maintained and marked with numbers so you have reference points to know where you are on the park map. Consists of multi-use trails for hikers and horseback riders, as well as hiking trails for pedestrians only. A good mix of trails through corn fields, wooded areas, and grassy paths along streams. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed at all times. I highly recommend.

I love this park tucked away in Monona. The park has roughly 56-acres that are laid out along a…read moreglacial drumlin, or small hill, not far from the eastern shore of Lake Monona. There are paths leading through woodland, savanna, and, most notably, ponds and marshes that are home to a wide variety of waterfowl. We love going for a walk or jog here when we don't want to travel far. It is a wonderful spot for a quick escape from the noise and distraction of the surrounding urban environment.

A nice get away in a little urban area.. Check out the burial mound and enjoy the water fowl.read more

As a lover of WI's dying prairies, having this remnant prairie so close to Madison, WI almost seems…read moretoo good to be true. A great place to watch the seasons change from the first hint of greens in the spring to the vibrancy of summer and the rich tones of fall. Go mushroom foraging, take a walk, take so many pictures you run out of storage on your iphone!

I'm a bit amazed by how good all the reviews for the Conservancy are on Yelp and Google, given how…read morelittle of the conservancy gets you away from houses or streets. While a fairly nice space in and of itself, those that gush about it apparently have never seen the other 85% of the area that is much more beautiful. It is a nice place to take a hike if you don't have the time or means to get out of the city proper. However, Pheasant Branch itself is a brackish, polluted stream. There are plenty of trout streams within a 15 minute drive of town that are much cleaner and more picturesque. The trails themselves are usually pretty busy, so I've never really felt like I'm getting away from it all. That all said, have at it! If you want to get a hike or jog in, especially with your dog or your kids, don't let me rain on your parade. You can see enough of what it's like yourself from all the posted photos. I do encourage you to cast your net a bit wider, to Donald Park, Indian Lake, or any of the much more secluded and beautiful places just minutes away from Madison.

Pleasant park; has numerous tennis courts and a paved basketball court. Nice park for nearby…read moreresidents.

Great little secret/intimate spot along the lakeshore where you can watch the sunset... It's small…read moreand only has one park bench, and it can get muddy at times, but don't worry -- you'll clean up good, kid! Amateur (and professional!) photographers start to appear with their tripods and fancy cameras for the Spring and Fall Solstice sunsets, as those are the 2 times in the year when the sun is aligned perfectly across the lake from the park and sets behind the Capitol building. Beautiful! Dogs are allowed in the park, on a leash (owners must pick up poo, of course!).

This four acre park is located near the Westport Town Hall on Mary Lake Road. The park is the home…read moreof the Daleo Soccer Complex, so it gets extensive use during the warm weather months. The park also features playground equipment tennis court and hiking trails. There are bathroom facilities and a large parking lot.

5.14.24 - Great park with playground, beach, ducks, covered picnic area, benches along the hike,…read morerest shelters, clean restroom.

Great little park for all sorts of activities. Honestly one of my favorite places in town. The…read morewalks are nice, there are so many different paths, and the scenery is idyllic. There's also a beach for fun and swimming. A lot of fishing also goes on here. There's a good sized shelter with plenty of tables too. A great place to hang out with family and friends or just enjoy some time on your own outside.

Great dog park! They have both small and large dog areas. The larger dog area is a nice loop. The…read moretrail is well maintained and there's tons of space for the dogs to run. It's a beautiful area with large prairie grass. I always have a tired dog after coming here.

A great camping spot close to everything in Madison and Monona. Resident cranes visited us every…read moreday!