Cross-Country Skiing in Madison Parks

Madison Parks provides designated and groomed trails for cross-country skiing. Three (3) are free-to-use and three (3) require a daily or annual cross-country ski permit. 

• PERMIT REQUIRED LOCATIONS: Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills Golf Course.
  • Groomed several times per week, and as conditions allow
  • A daily or annual Ski Permit is required for anyone aged 16 years or older and may be PURCHASED ONLINE. 
• FREE-TO-USE: Cherokee Marsh Conservation - South, Owen, and Turville Point.
  • Groomed weekly, and as conditions allow. 
  • Due to years of poor snow quality and ground conditions, Yahara Hills is no longer a designated and groomed ski trail location. 
• TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS
  • OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted. 
  • CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
  • See Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.
     
• LOANER SKIS: *NEW* LOANER SKIS available at Door Creek and Odana Hills! Borrow a pair to try out skiing while at the park. Instructions onsite. A ski permit is required. 
• RESTROOMS: See the webpage for open locations. 
• DOGS: Dogs are NOT allowed on designated cross-country ski trails. 
• HIKING/SNOWSHOEING: Do not walk on a designated cross-country ski trail. Hiking or snowshoeing is allowed ANYWHERE except on cross-country ski trails and off-trail in a conservation park. See SNOWSHOEING for suggested locations. When in doubt, don't. 

• Elver Park Wednesday - Sunday 
• Odana Hills Saturday & Sunday

2024 Fees 

Daily	$8
Annual	$30
Annual Senior (65+) & Disabled	$15
Annual Military/Veteran	$15
Replacement	$15

• 2024 permit is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2024. 
• 2025 permit is available for purchase starting Nov. 1, 2024. 
• The permit is also valid for Dane County Parks trails. 

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TRAIL CONDITIONS AND GROOMING

The type of trail grooming performed depends on a few things to make the most of both long and short-term skiing opportunities. The amount and type of snow and the ground condition at the time of the snow event play a part in the grooming equation.

Did you know Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas? These priority areas are roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. We always appreciate your patience and understanding as safety will always come before fun.  

• Ski trails typically open after the first snowfall over 4" depending on the type of snow and trail conditions.
• Fee-based trails are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
• Free-to-use ski trails are tracked or roll-groomed for classic cross-country skiing. 
• We may not be able to groom or we may close a trail to preserve the trail condition. The website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
• Permit fees are non-refundable.
• You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.

TRAIL TIPS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow directional arrows. Some trails are marked for one-way use
• Trails are rated for difficulty at the trailhead
• Skiers stay on groomed trails only
• No dogs, horses, snowboards, motor vehicles, hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails
• Slower skiers please stay to the right

• Owen Conservation - Skiing

  Location: 6021 Old Sauk Rd.
  
  Closed
  Cross-Country Skiing at Owen Conservation Park
  

Following a July 2023 unanimous vote of the Board of Park Commissioners leashed and licensed dogs are allowed in all general Madison parks. 

• Must be licensed.
• Must have a valid daily or annual Dog Permit.Must pick up dog waste.
• Must be leashed and under the owner's control at all times. MGO 23.32(1)
  •  Violators may see a fine up to $500
     

Dog Prohibited Areas 

• Conservation parks 
• Burial mounds 
• City of Madison Golf Courses (during the golf season) 
• Olbrich Botanical Gardens 
• Playgrounds and areas within 20 feet of a playground surface 
• Splash parks, fenced areas(s) surrounding a splash park, and areas within 20 feet of the splash park surface 
• Goodman Pool and Breese Stevens Field (except for special events where dogs are specifically invited) 
• Programmed sports fields and facilities that are enclosed or substantially enclosed by a fence, whether in use or not 
• Programmed, non-fenced sports fields such as soccer, ultimate fields or softball/baseball diamonds while they are in use for programmed activities 
• Inside park shelters or other City buildings 
• Groomed cross-country ski trails 
• In the water or on the beach at designated beach locations 
• Park special events except where the sponsor has requested to allow dogs, with the Park Superintendent's approval

• Owen Conservation Park - Dog Free Park

  Location: 6021 Old Sauk Rd.
  

Parking lots in parks are available for park programs or events during regular park hours: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

Parking Rules

• Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
• Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
• No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am. Overnight parking is not allowed. 
• Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset
• Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
• Violators are subject to a fine.

OPEN RESTROOMS
Listed on this page are OPEN restrooms (daily 10am to 8pm). All other restrooms are CLOSED. All restrooms will open for the season on April 19. 

Restrooms throughout the park system are open seasonally from approximately mid/late April through early to late October. The systemwide process of opening/closing restrooms takes several weeks and depends on the weather and staffing. 

WINTER
Several parks offering winter recreation, also provide restrooms - indoor or portable, when the amenity is listed as open during the winter season. Please check Winter Fun for the status of winter recreation at a specific park. 

YEAR-ROUND

• Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North
• Elver Park enclosed shelter
• Owen Conservation Park
• Tenney Park at the John Wall Family Pavilion
• Warner Park boat launch 

• Owen Conservation Park

  Location: 6021 Old Sauk Rd.
  
  OPEN
  
  Notes: open year-round