Hiking is a great way to get out and explore Madison Parks. Thousands of acres in our parks offer everything from easy strolls to hilltop climbs, meandering walks through woodsy trails and open fields. You can hike through many of our conservation parks that feature natural areas that focus on the restoration of native plant and animal communities. While our neighborhood parks provide a series of paths and trails of varying lengths and features great for walking. View all Hiking

Additional information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division website.

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• Edna Taylor Conservancy Native American Mounds

  Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
  
  Description: Six linear mounds and one panther effigy are located on a high glacial drumlin along the eastern side of the Edna Taylor Conservancy. Originally another linear mound followed the hill crest to the north of the existing group and a conical mound and another very long linear mound extended to the south.
  
  Wisconsin has the highest concentration of effigy mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentration of effigy mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.
  
  The mound group was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 7, 1990 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
  
  More Information: Landmark Nomination
  

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

Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to experience many of our parks during the winter months. The sport is easy to learn, poses little risk of injury and is a great way to exert energy during the cold winter months.

We have various length trails in our parks listed below that can be used as snowshoeing trails in the winter.  In addition to the parks listed, snowshoeing is also permitted on designated trails at Yahara Hills Golf Course (not on groomed ski trails), the Tom George Greenway, which is located between Heritage Prairie and Elvehjem Sanctuary and anywhere in our parks where there is good snow coverage.
 
Free Candlelit Snowshoe Events


TIPS FOR SNOWSHOEING

• Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in a park that is snow-covered and ungroomed and on ungroomed trails only in conservation parks. Snowshoes are not allowed on groomed cross-country ski trails at anytime.
• 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.
• Sufficient snow (typically 4" or more) is needed to create a base for snowshoeing. The woods generally need more snow to fall due to the trees protecting the trails.
• Snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing off trail destroys 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 make the small mammals more vulnerable to predation.
• Interested in learning the proper way to put on snowshoes?

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