Pheasant Branch Conservancy

2.7 mi

We heard about this park from a neighbor and decided to check it out since it's only about a 10…read moreminute drive away. It's a cute little spot near the neighborhood with a pond and a small swing set. The path is pretty well maintained, and it's a nice place for a short walk or an easy loop around the area.

Love hanging out at Stricker Park in Middleton! The park itself includes a playground and swing…read moresets, tennis courts, a basketball hoop, and a short soccer field. There is also a bubbler and portable bathroom available in the summer months. The best part about this park is that it is next to Stricker pond and has a nice trail that goes all the way around it, perfect for nature watching- which includes lots of turtles and birds and blooming lily pads in the summer. The pond is away from major roads so it is a very peaceful place to hike and has lots of benches to sit on.

See all

Lakeview Park

4.6

(5 reviews)

1.9 mi

This park is so cute and has bathrooms and shaded areas, sand volleyball and the cute lake to walk…read morearound. Fun for the whole family.

This is a small Middleton park that is a gem for those of us who live nearby. I spent my formative…read moreyears rollerblading along the paths (and having one of my worst blading wipeouts on said paths.) There are three different play structures (one of them a Dream Park,) and a splash pad. Plus there are tennis courts, shelters that you can rent for gatherings, ample parking and a full walking path that goes around a small pond. We ran into a pair of Sandhill Cranes and many a Canada Goose during our visit! For those who are interested, you can use the different outdoor exercise stations along the walking path. Not a bad idea if you want a low impact working while walking! Dogs are allowed on the paths (on leash!)

Time for the wedding rehearsal. Big day tomorrow.

See all

Marshall Park

4.0

(3 reviews)

2.3 mi

Awesome with a playground, restrooms, picnic tables, restrooms, boat access, and sand. I'm here on…read morea Friday morning and there are people here eating lunch while ducks quack and boats stroll by. If the weather keeps up, I may just go for a swim! It may get a lot busier during weekends but very pretty and very relaxing.

The beach is very small. There is no lifeguard and no roped-off areas for swimming. The marina is…read morevery close to the swimming area and the boat load-in is also right next to the swimming area, so boats are frequently going by. Fishing also occurs nearby. There are very few people here, maybe because it's a holiday. The water is pretty gross. Lots of rocks and seaweed everywhere. The shore smells like fish and you will only be walking in seaweed or rocks in the water. I did not put my head underwater because it was so gross. It is NOT deep at all. I almost waded out to the nearest sailboat in the marina and the water was only to the top of my waistband (I'm 5'11"). This might be a nice place for lounging in a boat. It was okay for swimming, but not the best.

See all

Pope Farm Conservancy

4.9

(7 reviews)

5.1 mi

I cannot believe I didn't know this hidden gem existed. Their sunflower days are absolutely…read morestunning! It's definitely an attraction close to Madison that's not to be missed. To be honest, I have only ever been to the Pope Farm Conservancy for the sunflowers. But it seems like a beautiful place to stop year round for a hike or to cross country ski. It gets crowded during their sunflower days, so it's best to go during off hours. The Conservancy does an excellent job marking off parking spots and directing traffic. They have plenty of volunteers to answer questions and everything appears to be very well run and organized. People come to take family photos, have a picnic, or just go for a nice stroll to watch the sunset over a beautiful field of sunflowers. However, leave your dog at home because pets are not allowed. The sunflower days attraction is free however donations are accepted. Definitely worth a trip to the far west side of Madison.

As a relatively short person, 5', I love the feeling of being immersed in sunflowers!read more

As far as the eye can see

Magical.

See all

Flowers marching

Mendota County Park

3.7

(7 reviews)

1.6 mi

This park was one of our favorite places we have ever stayed. My husband and I came to stay here…read morewith our small Yorkshire terriers and our cat, and we had a wonderful time. Tim ( the host for the park) is friendly and helpful, and takes great pride in keeping it beautiful and orderly. He lent us an extension cord as the electrical hookups are fairly far away. The park was quiet and lovely. There were lots of friendly people, and it felt like a little community. It was very close to town which was really convenient. We travel in a 36 foot toy hauler with a one ton truck, and I do think that we were pushing it to try to get into some of the spots. Because we had not booked early ( we called the morning of) we had to move spots, and it was the hardest spot we have ever had to get into. Not the parks fault at all, our trailer was just a bit big. Both my husband and I really wished that we were traveling in a sprinter van. That would have been so easy. Lake Mendota is lovely and relaxing, and this is a special spot.

Good little campground for those with kids. Large play area near a beach. In town camping at its…read morebest! Bring lots of bug spray

Mendota park

See all

Spring Harbor Beach Park

3.0

(3 reviews)

3.1 mi

Tucked into a residential neighborhood, this place is good for a quick stop. Houses overlook the…read morebeach which is odd but they are pretty houses! There is one picnic table and restrooms. There is a lifeguard when the water is open but it is closed due to water conditions I think. And like someone else said, it's hard to find, its Norman ave and can only be accessed by walking. It's a fast 2 minute walk from the parking lot across the road. Not the best here but I got studying done!

I wouldn't call this a park but more like an overlook. Theres a small playground across the street…read moreand no real place to walk around besides the neighborhood.

Beautiful view of the west sidw of Lake Mendota

See all

No dogs

Allen Centennial Gardens

4.7

(14 reviews)

5.1 mi

The Allen Centennial Gardens are an oasis on a busy college campus. When my husband and friends…read morevisited on a summer weekend, the gardens were calm and serene. There were a few other people there enjoying the twenty-seven gardens located in this one space. There are benches throughout the gardens where you can sit and enjoy the peace.The interns we met at the entrance were very friendly and generous with their time. There are signs posted with names of the plants and information about the garden throughout the park. Tours and special events are held throughout the year. For a colorful and peaceful time, I highly recommend Allen Centennial Gardens!

Oh wow, I've visited the University of Madison quite a number of times but had never noticed such…read morean amazing garden so close to Babcock Hall until now. This spot is great for taking a casual stroll as well as to admire a wide variety of amazing flowers, trees, bushes, and other plants with a variety of different features like a pond, bridge, gazebo and more. These are accompanied by plenty of different signs to help visitors learn more about the plants in the garden.

See all

Elver Park

4.4

(13 reviews)

6.0 mi

I was in the area picking something up and decided to take a short walk through this park. My…read morenephews and I used to come here in Spring when everything was still covered in snow, and in winter, the park is popular for cross-country skiing, so I'm quite familiar with it. I've also attended a foraging class here through the Madison Public Library, which was a great experience. The trails are easy to walk, but keep an eye out for black walnuts that ripen and drop onto the ground--you could easily step on one and twist an ankle (as I unfortunately did). Along the way, you might spot squirrels and hear birds singing in the bushes. I even came across some mushrooms, which reminded me of the foraging class. There's a restroom facility and a pond nearby, and in winter, local families love coming here for sledding on hill. I've done it myself--it's a lot of fun, just make sure to protect your back on the way down! Don't say I didn't warn you!

I went recently to try out the ice skating and had a blast. It cost 6$ to rent ice skates and you…read morecould skate for as long as you want until the rental place closed. If you have your own skates you can skate for as long as you want. They have 2 rinks, one for regular ice skating and the other for hockey. They have the green assistance rollators, for when you need assistance ice skating, that are useful. The ice was chipped in some areas, but overall good quality. There is a huge hill close by that looks like it can be sledded when there's more snow.

Splash pad

See all

Goodman Pool

3.9

(14 reviews)

7.2 mi

This pool is everything. Especially on a hot day in Madison!…read more This Sunday we went here on a whim for the first time. It was so nice! So much space for all people. There's areas for lap swimming/more adult centric activities, and kiddo friendly sections. And it has a slide!!!! No need to wait for hours at a water park to go down a slide. This slide gives you the thrill you seek, with no wait. Less the kiddos also waiting for their turn! The chairs are ready great quality for a public pool. They aren't the most comfortable thing in the world, but they are sturdy and do the job. Water was clean. I saw one hairball in the drain, which was a little gross, but for a public pool I felt safe. I didn't venture into the bathrooms this time so can't speak to those. My partner went to see the snack station and said there were plenty of affordable options should you get hungry. You are allowed to bring in food and drink, but there is a designated area to eat them. I saw a full season for residents is $85 and a daily was $6 (at time of writing this review). It's worth checking out for how reasonable it is. I'll definitely be back again!

We love Goodman pool. There are concessions back now - Ice cream, chips and candy plus sodas and…read morewater. Big community pool with two fun slides and two diving boards. Lifeguards do a great job. Tons of deck chairs plus lawn to sit on. Zero depth pool for the little ones. Super family friendly. Diverse attendees unlike pretty much every other pool in Madison. All inclusive swim and dive team and morning swim lessons too. We love it here!

View from the deck chairs

See all

Pheasant Branch Conservancy - hiking - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Pheasant Branch Conservancy also viewed

Knollwood Conservation Park

4.0

I moved to Madison about three weeks ago, and I've been trying to find parks and trails in my…read moreneighborhood. This is a tucked-away gem that I would recommend to others! I found it after I stumbled upon a connection point into the South Arboretum trail, at a connection to the Cannonball trail. It's a short walk through the forest, but there's no rush. Enjoy the walk!

I've been trying to check out different parks and natural areas near my home now that it's warming…read moreup again, and Knollwood, over in the Arbor Hills neighborhood, is a nice little gem. There's only about a mile of trails, but the black oaks and sand prairie are beautiful to wander through on a warm spring day.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

4.8

(33 reviews)

Even on an overcast winter afternoon this arboretum was lovely to wander around. Almost completely…read moreempty, only saw a few other hikers. Free. Plenty of parking. A nice option for a safe, free walk in the woods in Madison. I'll be back in the spring!

I had a work meeting at the Arboretum and took a walk on a few trails during my lunch break…read more There's plenty of parking, though none of it is shaded, so it can get pretty warm on sunny days. The facility has a few meeting rooms with good audiovisual equipment, plus a small library and reliable wifi. There's only one bathroom, but it does the job. The trails are well maintained, and I even spotted a couple of cranes while walking. Overall, it's a peaceful spot that works well for both meetings and a quick nature break.

Frautschi Point

Nice place to hike! Trails traverse over multiple sites…read morealong the lakeshore and other intersecting trails. Seen some turkeys along the way. Nice prairie grasses in abundance.

Beautiful place to hike, especially in the fall. Magnificent views of Lake Mendota and even the…read moreCapital Building. I stumbled across it my first week living on campus as a hapless freshman and it immediately became one of my favorite spots. I always make sure to stop by whenever I'm back in Madison.

Parfrey's Glen

4.7

(20 reviews)

Highly recommend hiking here!…read more There is a small parking lot. It helps to come early otherwise you may have to find parking somewhere else. We noticed cars just parking on the side of the county road. After you park you have to pay for a ticket and stick it on your dashboard. This ticket will also get you into Devil's Lake which is awesome so you don't have to pay for both. Right by the parking lot they have some area/trail/hiking information as well as bathrooms. This is the start for 2 different trailheads. You can go right for the Parfey's Glen State Natural Area or you can go left on part of the Ice Age trail. We decided to do both with our dogs. We first did the Ice Age trail which was a narrow wooded trail. Beautiful with a good amount of uphill. We did about 3 miles out and back. We could have gone much farther. It was so nice, we only saw 2 other people on the trail. Then we went over and did about a mile in Parfey's Glen. Everyone we saw in the parking lot seemed to do Parfey's Glen, it wasn't too crowded late morning but we saw a good amount of people. Lot of families so definitely a kid friendly hike. It was such a nice hike, it starts on a paved path and then goes to gravel, and then dirt. Along the way there are streams (that you have to cross so bring your hiking boots or shoes you don't care about). Towards the end I believe there is a waterfall but we didn't make it that far with the dogs. I look forward to going back and doing the entire hike.

Loved this area! We've been a few times over the years and it's always so calming…read more We were there for memorial day weekend so it was pretty busy. Prepare to bring extra shoes if you opt to hike beyond the end of the trail. Plenty of stepping stones and logs but still a chance to slip. Lots of people came back with wet shoes. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Kettle Pond

4.5

Super cute place to hike if you want something short. I made it around the whole trail, up and back…read moredown the one way street in under 30 minutes. This place is probably more adorable when it's spring/summer. A family was out on the frozen pond while I hiked by and many more people showed up to take it in as well. It's a short drive from downtown, maybe 10 minutes and super worth it.

Not a park to picnic in, but it has a short trail that runs around the pond , and you are likely to…read moresee lots of wildlife on your walk. Sandhill cranes, rabbits, field mice, red wing blackbirds all make this park their home, among many other critters. Worth a walk through if you are in the neighborhood.

Elvehjem Sanctuary

This is such a good find! I'm visiting Madison and was looking for a place to do some light hiking,…read morereading, and just enjoying the outdoors. I came across this place on Yelp. Not only does it have a few trails in the woods, which are beautiful but the way, but there is also a community garden up top and it is connected to a school and a covered shelter with tables, bathrooms, and a water fountain next to a ball field. Would be a great place for kids. No pets allowed on the trails or in the garden. So glad I found this gem!

Great trails, beautiful field grass and fauna. The views of the lake are crisp and serene. Highly…read morerecommend visiting while in Madison.

Elver Park

4.4

(13 reviews)

I was in the area picking something up and decided to take a short walk through this park. My…read morenephews and I used to come here in Spring when everything was still covered in snow, and in winter, the park is popular for cross-country skiing, so I'm quite familiar with it. I've also attended a foraging class here through the Madison Public Library, which was a great experience. The trails are easy to walk, but keep an eye out for black walnuts that ripen and drop onto the ground--you could easily step on one and twist an ankle (as I unfortunately did). Along the way, you might spot squirrels and hear birds singing in the bushes. I even came across some mushrooms, which reminded me of the foraging class. There's a restroom facility and a pond nearby, and in winter, local families love coming here for sledding on hill. I've done it myself--it's a lot of fun, just make sure to protect your back on the way down! Don't say I didn't warn you!

I went recently to try out the ice skating and had a blast. It cost 6$ to rent ice skates and you…read morecould skate for as long as you want until the rental place closed. If you have your own skates you can skate for as long as you want. They have 2 rinks, one for regular ice skating and the other for hockey. They have the green assistance rollators, for when you need assistance ice skating, that are useful. The ice was chipped in some areas, but overall good quality. There is a huge hill close by that looks like it can be sledded when there's more snow.

Raymer's Cove

This is a great little walk by Lake Mendota on university property. Take a little dirt road to the…read moreparking lot. The dirt parking lot can hold maybe 8 cars. There are stairs down to the waters edge. A few intrepid swimmers met here for an early morning dip. The trail to the left starts from the bottom of the stairs and goes roughly a quarter mile until it hits private property. The trail to the right goes from the parking lot. It's mostly through the woods but there are a few secret spots to view the lake, including a newly installed bench.

Definitely a hidden gem near campus. So many trails following the water, some with entrances down…read moreto the lake. I hiked a good two miles and barely touched the many places to go over here. It's beautiful and quiet even though the city is bustling just beyond the tree line. I'd recommend this place to hike if you're a beginner, don't want to drive super far, want to take in the outdoors, and spot some fun birds.

Ice Age Trail - Montrose Segment