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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

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

• Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North

  Location: 6098 N. Sherman Ave.
  Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
  
  Description: This park has two conical mounds, one near the Yahara River shoreline and one near the top of the rise in the north end of the park. Conical mounds are the earliest known form of burial mound made by the Native people in this area.
   
  
  

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

Public restrooms are located throughout the park system and in many locations with a reservable shelter. 

Year-Round: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park have restrooms that are open throughout the year. 

April - October: seasonal restrooms are generally open mid-April through mid-October, from approximately 10am to 8pm daily. The system-wide process to open or close restrooms and drinking fountains takes several weeks. Opening and closing dates are approximate and based on several factors such as the weather, staffing limitations and other unexpected maintenance priorities. 

Winter: 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. 

 

View all Restrooms

• Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North

  OPEN
  
  Notes: open year-round

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 
New this year: Snowshoe rentals at Elver Park! Snowshoe rentals are available Wednesday - Sunday at Elver (map) and Vilas parks when the shelter is staffed and we have good snow cover. 

RATES 

Snowshoe Rentals	Adult (16 & older)	Youth (15 & under)
Hourly	$5	$2
Additional Hour	$2	$2
Daily (24 hours): Vilas Only	$25	$10
Additional Day: Vilas Only	$15	$5

SNOWSHOEING TIPS 

• DO snowshoe anywhere in a general park with good snow-cover, except on a cross-country ski groomed trail (Door Creek, Elver, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills).
• DO snowshoe at Elver Park on the marked trail only - MAP.
• DO snowshoe at Yahara Hills on the marked trail only - MAP.
• DO snowshoe on a trail in any conservation park, except those groomed 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

View all Snowshoeing