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

Violators may and should be reported by contacting a Park Ranger (608) 235-0448.

View all Dog Free Parks

• Elvehjem Sanctuary - Dog Free Park

  Location: 1314 Painted Post Drive
  

Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks.  Year-round restrooms are available at Cherokee Marsh, North and Owen conservation parks. 

MAPS
Looking for a trail map for a particular park? A number of the individual park pages provide a trail map. Check out the "About This Park" section of your favorite park. Don't see a map? Let us know! 

Dogs
Most parks allow leashed & licensed dogs with a Dog Permit. However, dogs are prohibited in all conservation parks and a few other locations. See Dog Free Parks for more information. View all Hiking

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

Wisconsin has the highest concentration of burial mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentrations of burial 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.

A Burial Mounds Policy was created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy. 

View all Historical Features

• Elvehjem Sanctuary Native American Burial Mound

  Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
  
  Description: One conical mound.
  
   
  
  

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.

Warming Shelter and Equipment Rentals at Elver & Vilas
If trails are listed as open, the warming shelter at Elver and Vilas parks are staffed Wednesday - Sunday* for concessions and snowshoe equipment, unless otherwise posted in the alert. 

Wednesday - Friday	4:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday	12:00 - 8:00pm
Sunday	12:00 - 6:00pm

*Hours are subject to change. All winter activities are dependent on the weather and conditions. 

Equipment Rentals 

Snowshoes - first hour Each additional hour	$5/Adult; $2/Youth (aged 15 or younger) $2/Adult or Youth
Snowshoes - all day, per day Each additional day	$25/Adult; $10/Youth* $15/Adult; $5/Youth

SNOWSHOEING TIPS 

• Designated snowshoe trails are offered in the following parks. 
  •  *NEW* Cherokee Marsh South - see MAP
  • Door Creek Park - See MAP
  • Elver Park - see MAP
• Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in a general park with good snow cover - typically about 4" or more, except on a marked cross-country ski trail. 
• Snowshoeing is allowed in any trail in a conservation park, except Owen, and Turville Point, which are designated ski trails. 
• DO NOT 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 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 a quiet refuge 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. 

View all Snowshoeing