Door Creek Park

Address: | 7035 Littlemore Dr. |
Hours: | 4:00am - 10:00pm |
Park Type: | Community |
Acres: | 159.97 |
Restroom: | Yes |
Drinking Water: | No |
Park Details
PARK ACCESS & TRAIL IMPACT (posted 1/27/2023): Trees and shrubs will be removed from a 75-foot wide corridor in Door Creek during the week of January 30, 2023. The holder of an easement dating back to 1966 will be working in the park for 3 to 4 days that week to remove vegetation for access and safety reasons. See MAP for location.New Winter Trails!
Door Creek Park now has expanded cross-country skiing trails and new snowshoe/hiking trails for the 2022-23 winter season.
Dog Owners
Dogs are NOT permitted on cross-country ski trails. Please use the hiking trails to walk your leashed dog.
Cross-Country Skiing News
Following the approved revised ordinance for the Cross-Country Ski Permit Program, a cross-country ski permit is required to ski in Door Creek Park. See PERMIT for more information.
See map for details.

The land is adjacent to Dane County Parks, Blooming Grove Drumlins Natural Resource Area, North Unit.
Door Creek runs through the park and continues south to Lake Kegonsa.
Alternate addresses: 6901 Bluff Point Drive, 851 Harrington Drive, 7202 Cottage Grove Rd., 625 Highcliff Trail, between 533 & 601 Highcliff Trail
Park Highlights
ORIENTEERINGOrienteering is an activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate an area and find posted markers. Participants can complete the course competitively or casually, perhaps racing one another or simply finding markers at their leisure.
The orienteering course is ONLY OPEN in the non-winter months, as several markers are placed on cross-country trails.
What you will need:
- Compass
- Orienteering Course map, map image (download or printable)
- Marker symbol sheet (optional, download or printable)
- Pencil (optional)
The map is a very simple guide to finding the markers throughout the park. North on the map is the top edge. On the map, the purple circled numbers denote the locations of the 12 numbered markers, and the purple triangle is the starting and ending point. The circles show a control area with about a 15-foot radius inside of which the marker is located, and the purple lines spanning from marker to marker denote the compass direction from each and to each as the crow flies. The marked trails are still to be followed.
Signs/Markers in the Park
Markers consist of a green metal post extending 4 feet out of the ground, with a 6x6 inch orange-and-white sign fastened to the top. The sign has a number on the top left to show which marker it is, and a Greek letter on the bottom right, as shown below.
Using the Greek Letters (optional)
If participants wish to run a competitive orienteering race, they can print out the Marker Symbol Sheet in addition to the map. Participants copy down the Greek letter found on the signs to prove that they did in fact find the markers. The sign numbers and their corresponding letters can also be found in the Symbol Key document on this page.

This orienteering course was constructed in July 2022 as an Eagle Scout Project by Zane Brolin and Troop 16.
At this Park
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Basketball Court
Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the number of basketball hoops per resident, come check out the hoops in your neighborhood! Most of the basketball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations.
View all Basketball Courts-
Door Creek Park - Basketball Court
Surface: Asphalt
Lighted: No
Number of Courts: 2 full
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Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing in Madison Parks
Seven (7) winter trails are designated and groomed for cross-country skiing. Four are free-to-use and three require a daily or annual cross-country ski permit.
- PERMIT-FREE DAYS - No Cross-Country Ski Permit Required
- Saturday - Sunday, January 21-22, 2023
- FREE-TO-USE: Cherokee Marsh Conservation - South, Owen, Turville Point and Yahara Hills.
- Groomed weekly, and as conditions allow.
- PERMIT REQUIRED: Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills Golf Course.
- Groomed several times per week, and as conditions allow
- A daily or annual Cross-Country Ski Permit is required for anyone aged 16 years or older and may be purchased ONLINE.
- TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS
- OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted.
- CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
- RESTROOMS: Available at Elver, Cherokee Marsh - South (portable), Odana (portable), Owen and Door Creek (portable).
- DOGS: Dogs are NOT allowed on cross-country ski trails. Please walk your leashed dogs on designated hiking/snowshoeing 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.
Classic skis with boots and poles are available to rent from Elver and Odana Hills* and include a daily cross-country ski permit. *Before you head out, be sure to check the status of each location. Rental days are only when a location is listed as open. Please click location to see if listed as open. If a location is closed for winter recreation, rentals are not available.- Elver Park Wednesday - Sunday
- Odana Hills Saturday & Sunday
2023 Fees
Daily $7 Annual $30 Annual Senior (65+) & Disabled $15 Annual Military/Veteran (New!) $15 Replacement $12
- 2023 permit is available Nov. 1 and is valid through December 31, 2023.
- The permit is valid for Dane County Parks trails also.
*New* Door Creek Park Added as Cross-Country Ski Permit Site
Earlier this year, Madison Common Council approved a revised ordinance for the Cross-Country Ski Permit Program, which allows the Board of Park Commissioners to designate fee-based locations. A cross-country ski permit is required for Elver Park, Odana Hills Golf Course, and new this year, Door Creek Park. Yahara Hills is a free-to-use site.
For those not familiar with the ski program in Madison Parks, typical free-to-use ski trail sites, offer limited grooming, about once per week, and as conditions allow. Fee-based sites require a Cross-Country Ski Permit and use funding from the program to provide more frequent grooming, typically 3-4 times per week or as conditions allow.Grooming the Trails: How & When
The type of 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, as well as, the ground condition at the time of the snow event all 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.TRAIL CONDITIONS & GROOMING
- 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
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Door Creek - Skiing
Location: 7035 Littlemore Dr.
OpenCross-Country Skiing at Door Creek Park
- PERMIT-FREE DAYS - No Cross-Country Ski Permit Required
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Hiking
Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks. Year-round restrooms are available at Cherokee Marsh, North and Owen conservation parks.
MAPS
Some of the parks have a trail map on-site or in the "About This Park" on the individual park webpage.
Dogs
Most parks allow leashed & licensed dogs with a Dog Park Permit. However, dogs are prohibited in all conservation parks and a number of Dog Free Parks. View all Hiking -
Open Field
Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces. Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field. These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of! Enjoy your parks!
View all Open Fields-
Door Creek Park - Open Field Games
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Parking Lot
Parking lots are available in these parks for the programs or events in these parks. Parking lots are available from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Overnight parking is not allowed. Parking regulations specific to that park are posted at the entrance of the park. View all Parking Lots -
Pickleball Court
In addition to the dual stripped (tennis & pickleball) locations, Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts. Learn more about the game and rules adopted by the USA Pickleball Association.
View all Pickleball Courts
Pickleball courts may be reserved ONLINE.-
Door Creek Park - Pickleball Court
Surface: Asphalt
Lighted: No
Number of Courts: 8
Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (4)
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Playground
With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds.
PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019. The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds.
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
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Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization.
REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.
If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know.-
Door Creek Park - Playground
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Restroom
Open public restrooms are listed below. All portable restrooms are accessible.
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Year-Round Open Restrooms
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Park Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park are open daily, from approximately 10am to 8pm.
Spring - Fall
Most restrooms are open daily from approximately 10am to 8pm, opening the first Saturday on or after April 20 and closing for the season October - November. Locations and dates vary.
Winter
Once winter recreation begins, in addition to the year-round locations, Elver, Tenney, and Vilas have open restrooms when the winter recreation amenity of that park is open. Please check Winter Fun for the status of winter recreation at a specific park. Other portable restrooms are also added in a number of popular winter recreation locations.-
Door Creek Portable Restroom
OPEN
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Snowshoeing
Experience winter in Madison Parks like never before with snowshoeing! This silent sport is a fantastic way to explore many of our parks during the winter months and is easy to learn.
Snowshoe Rentals at Vilas and Elver
Snowshoe rentals are available as conditions allow and when staff is present at Elver and Vilas shelters. Staff is scheduled Wednesday - Sunday based on winter recreation conditions.
RATESSnowshoe Rentals Adult (16 & older) Youth (15 & under) Hourly $5 $2 Additional Hour $2 $2 Daily (24 hours) $25 $10 Additional Day $15 $5
2023 Snowshoe Hike Events- Candlelit Snowshoe Hike, Jan. 14
- Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, Jan. 21
- DO snowshoe anywhere in a general park with good snow cover, except on a cross-country ski trail.
- Do snowshoe at Door Creek Park on marked trails - see *new* MAP.
- DO snowshoe at Elver Park on the marked trail - see MAP.
- DO snowshoe at Yahara Hills on the marked trails - see MAP.
- DO snowshoe on a trail in any conservation park, except those designated for cross-country skiing (Cherokee Marsh South, Owen, and Turville Point)
- DO snowshoe with sufficient snow (typically 4" or more).
- DON'T snowshoe off-trail in a conservation park.
- Snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing off-trail can destroy snow tunnels used by native small rodents (deer mice, shrews) by the trampling effect. These small mammals are an important part of the wetland and grassland ecology in our conservation parks. Destruction of these tunnel networks makes the small mammals more vulnerable to predation.
- When in doubt, it's always best to stay on a trail.
- Our trail systems are designed to facilitate controlled public access while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and providing quiet refuges for wildlife away from people. Disruption of wildlife by human activity during the winter puts additional stress on them during a challenging time for their survival.
- Learn more:
- Read Your Guide to Snowshoeing in Madison Parks
- Subscribe to Winter Recreation News
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Tennis Court
Madison Parks has nearly 100 tennis courts. Most of the tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When courts are reserved, at least one must be left available for pick-up play. Please note that all tennis leagues and all tennis instructors must pay for a reservation, no matter the location. Go to: Athletic Field Reservations
View all Tennis Courts
Practice Wall Locations
Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland
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Door Creek Park - Tennis Court
Surface: Asphalt
Lighted: No
Number of Courts: 8
Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (4)
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