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Boat Launches

Launch your watercraft or ATV!
Surrounded by over 15,000 acres of lakes, accessing the water is easy in Madison and surrounding communities with your Lake Access Permit. A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lots (see locations below). Piers are in place early/mid-spring through fall.
LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215):
• A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lot and may be purchased ONLINE.
• The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year at designated launch sites in Madison, Monona and Dane County (see brochure map).
• The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield
DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE
LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin
LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner
LAUNCH AREA PARKING RULES AND TIPS (Ordinance 8.16):
- Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only.
- Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only.
- Parking on the grass is prohibited.
- When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site
- Violators are subject to a citation.
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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South - Boat Launch
Park: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South
Lake Access Permit Required: No
Notes: The Upper Yahara River above Hwy 113 is a designated slow/no-wake at all times. Launch is best for canoe/kayak access. -
Law Park - Boat Launch
Park: Law Park
Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
Notes: Parking is very limited for this location with no trailer parking available. -
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Olbrich Park - Boat Launch
Park: Olbrich Park
Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
Notes: 3401 Atwood Ave. -
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Tenney Park - Boat Launch
Park: Tenney Park
Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
Notes: 1601 Sherman Ave. -
Vilas (Henry) Park - Boat Launch
Park: Vilas (Henry) Park
Lake Access Permit Required: No
Notes: No trailer parking available. -
Warner Park - Boat Launch
Park: Warner Park
Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
Notes: 1201 Woodward Drive -
Wingra Park and Boat Livery - Boat Launch
Park: Wingra Park and Boat Livery
Lake Access Permit Required: No
Notes: No trailer parking available.
Facilities
Baseball
Basketball
B-cycle Station
Beach
Boat Launch
Boat Mooring
Botanical Garden
Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites
Canoe & Kayak Rental
Canoe & Kayak Storage
Cricket
Cross-Country Skiing
Disc Golf
Dog Free Park
Dog Off-Leash Park
Fireplace
Football
Golf
Hiking
Historical Feature
Horseshoe/Bocce
Ice Skating
Lacrosse
Open Field
Parking Lot
Pickleball
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Pool
Recreation Center
Restroom
Scenic Overlook
Shelter - Reservable
Skate Park
Slacklining and Hammocking
Sledding
Snowshoeing
Soccer
Softball
Splash Park
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball