Bird & Nature Adventures - Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park

Marsh Canoe Tour ~ Join us for a slow afternoon paddle on the Yahara River as we explore the shoreline of Cherokee Marsh. Help us spot birds, insects, aquatic plants, and other critters by boat, and learn a little bit about the history and diversity of Dane County's largest wetland along the way. Wisconsin Master Naturalists Lynn Persson, Kathlean Wolf, and Linda Malkin will be your guides.

Meeting Location: Meet at the boat landing parking lot at School & Wheeler roads of Cherokee Marsh - south unit, where we put our canoes and kayaks into the Yahara River. The parking lot is packed gravel with a concrete ramp into the water. 

• Please come ready for the water and weather (hat, sunglasses, drinking water, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.), and be prepared to get your feet wet!
• There is a portable restroom on site but no drinking water or changing facilities at the South Unit.
• Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• This stretch of the Yahara River can get windy, especially in the early afternoon. If winds are too high for an enjoyable and safe paddle, our Naturalists will lead a hike on a nearby trail instead. We recommend bringing your hiking shoes just in case!
• Bring your own canoe or kayak, paddles, and PFDs (life jackets) if possible.
• Don't have a canoe or kayak? We will have a limited number of canoes with PFDs and paddles to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive by 1:15 pm if you intend to borrow a boat.
• All paddlers must wear a PFD while on the water. 
• Participants should learn about (or review) best practices for safe paddling before joining this outing. Participants assume their own risk of outdoor activities.

Free, all-ages Bird & Nature Adventures take place at Cherokee Marsh the first Sunday of EVERY month, year-round, ALWAYS 1:30 pm – 3 pm. (The usual meeting place is the North Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, but not in June 2026).

For more nature events, check out Bird & Nature Adventures.