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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South
| Address: | 802 Wheeler Road |
| Hours: | 4:00am - dusk |
| Park Type: | Conservation |
| Acres: | 261.27 |
| Restroom: | No |
| Drinking Water: | No |
| Shoreline On: | Yahara River |
Park Details
Strategically located at the head of Madison's lakes, Cherokee Marsh acts as a living sponge. It filters upland runoff, using excess fertilizer to grow marsh plants, and slowly releasing cleaner water to the lakes below. Cherokee Marsh is the largest wetlands in Dane County. It is used by thousands of students each year for environmental education. The School Road/South Unit has 3.1 miles of trails for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.
Friends of Cherokee Marsh
Land Management
The City of Madison has lost approximately one square mile of wetlands in Cherokee Marsh, along the Yahara River, since 1849. In 2003 the Madison Parks Division received a $10,000 Lake Protection Grant from the Wisconsin DNR to fund experimental wetland restoration techniques.These wetlands "floated up" and were lost when the water level of nearby Lake Mendota rose about four feet in 1849 due to the construction of a dam at nearby Tenney Park. Another dam, rebuilt shortly after 1900, raised the level of the lake another foot. So today Lake Mendota 's water level is five feet higher than the pre-dam conditions. Often, these sedge mats, or bogs, that have floated up break off and float away.
After comparing aerial photos of the upper Yahara River from 1937 with current photos of the area, it was determined that approximately 275 acres of high quality wetlands have been destroyed since 1937. Using the Public Land Survey Records from 1834, which documented the width of the Yahara River at several points, Parks staff were able to calculate that the combined wetland losses since 1849 are 640 acres (one square mile).
Volunteers and staff installed mitigation techniques to establish submergent and emergent wetland plants in the Yahara River which help protect the fragile, floating shoreline. The plants help buffer the effects of erosion on the floating shoreline, and will create a vegetation breakwater. Foraging carp and wind-generated waves are the two most destructive erosive forces to these fragile wetlands. Recently the Wisconsin DNR worked with a private contractor to harvest carp in Cherokee Lake to reduce their population in the river.
Another project focused on restoring the hydrology to the wetlands at Cherokee Marsh North Unit, east of North Sherman Avenue and north of the Dane County Regional Airport. Madison Parks worked with the airport on a mitigation project that filled two miles of ditches north of the airport in 2000. In the last three years, Parks worked with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to fill drainage ditches on the eastside of North Sherman Avenue.
In 2012, two storm water ponds were constructed at Cherokee Marsh South Unit along Wheeler Road. This project has provided benefits to both the wildlife and the water, by improving the quality of the water before if flows into Lake Mendota.
To create the ponds, two large storm water ditches that cut through a peat wetland were filled in. After pipes were places in them to provide outlets for storm water ponds, the ditches were filled. This helped restore local hydrology by preventing artificial drainage and eliminated flooding caused by storm water.
Substantial progress has been made in the Upper Yahara River Project by establishing native plants in the river bed. TheAmerican Lotus water lily has been the most successful plant introduction, as it covers 80 acres and provides food and cover for wildlife. The population of submergent plats has also significantly increased as a result. The increase in plant cover benefits the fish populations, and in turn provides a food source for resident birds.
By filling in ditches, using peat from nearby areas, the plant diversity in the marsh has increased. Throughout 2014 and 2015, plans have been made to fill all of the drainage ditches along the eastside of North Sherman Ave. There are also plans to cut the remaining trees in the ditches, which would not naturally be present in a habitat like Cherokee Marsh. Removing the trees will create a more open area, making the habitat more suitable for wildlife like marsh hawks and short-eared owls.
The restoration project in South Cherokee ponds has been very successful. Native aquatic plants have grown from seeds, plants, or tubers planted in the storm water ponds. The ponds are being used by migrating waterfowl and resident birds, like Great Blue Heron, are seen often.
At this Park
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Boat Launch
ACCESS THE LAKES!
Surrounded by more than 15,000 acres of lakes, accessing the water is easy in Madison and surrounding communities with your Lake Access Permit. A daily or annual permit is required year-round at designated sites to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV (see locations below). Piers are available spring through fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.
LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215):
- A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
- Purchase permit ONLINE or by calling during regular office hours. Onsite kiosks are not available.
- The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
- The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield.
DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE- LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin
- LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner
LAUNCH AREA PARKING RULES AND TIPS (Ordinance 8.16):
- Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only.
- Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only.
- Parking on the grass is prohibited.
- When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site
- Violators are subject to a citation.
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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South - Boat Launch
Lake Access Permit Required: No
Notes: The Upper Yahara River above Hwy 113 is a designated slow/no-wake at all times. Launch is best for canoe/kayak access.
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Canoe & Kayak Launch Site
Madison Parks offers various locations to launch a canoe or kayak and is allowed at all of Madison Parks motorboat launch sites. Additionally, the parks listed below have a specially designated area for launch.
If you are looking to store your kayak or canoe in a park, please visit the storage webpage.
James Madison Park pier update (as of 03/23/2021): The pier at James Madison Parks sustained significant damage during the flood of 2018 and was removed as a result. Due to FEMA regulations and approvals, the replacement of this pier is delayed. Unfortunately, we still do not have a timeline for its replacement. View all Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites -
Canoe & Kayak Storage
Watercraft Storage Spaces
Explore Madison's beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks by paddle and store your canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the shores of your favorite park. All storage racks are outdoors and uncovered. The annual storage period begins each year on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year.
How to Reserve:- You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by call (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL.
- Current users will be able to renew their watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by April 1.
- As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.
$110 Madison Resident
$200 Non-Resident
Watercraft storage rules include:- Watercraft must not exceed 80 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
- Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
- Only one watercraft is allowed in each space.
- Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. The owner accepts all liability for theft or damage to their property.
- Parks Staff reserves the right to cut any lock and remove any watercraft, under any condition it deems necessary for the function of the boat storage program.
- See agreement for complete rules.
Additional storage may be available at the following:- Brittingham Park: Brittingham Boats 608-250-2555
- Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports 608-513-1308
- Wingra Park: Wingra Boats 608-233-5332
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Cross-Country Skiing
Winter Recreation: Cross-Country Skiing
Seven designated and groomed cross-country skiing trails throughout the park system.- FREE-TO-USE: Four groomed trails are free-to-use (Cherokee Marsh South, Door Creek, Owen and Turville Point).
- PERMIT REQUIRED: Elver, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills are groomed more regularly as conditions allow and require a daily or annual Cross-Country Ski Permit for anyone aged 16 years or older. (scroll to green Purchase Permit button).
- RESTROOMS: Available at Elver, Owen, Odana (portable) and Yahara (portable).
- SNOW LOOP at Elver Park: Thanks to our partnership with the Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) and the support of the Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki), Elver Park has a regularly groomed machine-made snow loop. Ski trail conditions are posted by volunteers & users here.
- Snow-making for the loops is on-going. Please stay clear of all equipment. Do not ski over power cords.
- SKI RENTALS: Classic ski rentals, sleds, and ice skates are available. See Elver Park for hours and rates.
- COVID-19 safety precautions: the shelter at Elver Park is closed to the public.
- Learn more about cross-country skiing in Madison Parks:
- Read Your Guide to XC in Madison Parks
- Subscribe to Winter Recreation News
- See CXC Skiing for information on lessons and community activities at Elver Park.
2021 Permit Fees
A daily or annual Cross-Country Ski Permit is required for all trails at Elver Park, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills for skiers aged 16 and older. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, permits are not available on-site and must be purchased online or by calling (608) 266-4711.View all Cross-Country SkiingDaily $7 Annual $30 Senior (65+) & Disabled $15 Replacement $12 - A 2021 Permit is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2021.
- A 2022 Permit will be available for purchase around November 15 and is valid through December 31. 2022.
- Valid for Dane County Parks trails also.
TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS- OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with most recent grooming date listed.
- CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
- Ski trails typically open after the first snowfall over 4" depending on the type of snow and trail conditions.
- Fee-based trails (Elver, Odana Hills and Yahara Hills) are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
- Free ski trails are tracked or roll groomed for classic cross-country skiing.
- We may not be able to groom or we may need to close a trail to preserve the trail condition. This website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
- Permit fees are non-refundable
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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Cherokee Marsh South - Skiing
Location: 5002 School Road
ClosedCross-Country Skiing Details
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Fishing
Wisconsin residents aged 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Nonresidents aged 16 years old or older need a nonresident fishing license to fish in Wisconsin waters with hook and line. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.View all FishingEvery year, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June and the third Saturday and Sunday in January, are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days. Visit WI DNR -
Hiking
Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks. Leashed & licensed dogs are allowed on most trails with a Dog Park Permit. See Dog Free Parks, for exceptions. Restrooms are open year-round at Cherokee Marsh, North Unit and Owen conservation parks.
Please observe the following COVID-19 safety precautions:- Maintain a physical distance of at least 6' from anyone outside your household.
- Share the path. Some trails are bike and pedestrian shared. Bicyclists, remain 6' from pedestrians and give a courtesy alert to others that you are passing on the left.
- MORE PATH TIPS
A number of parks are mapped for hiking. Look for a map onsite or on the individual park page, under the "About This Park" section. View all Hiking -
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
About This Park
Get to This Park
Conservation Park Rules
Conservation Parks are uniquely managed to further protect native species and wildlife. The following rules apply to all conservation designated parks.
Bicycles & Motor Vehicles
Bicycles and motor vehicles are restricted to entrance roads and parking lots.
Dogs
Dogs and horses are not allowed.
Fire
Fires and picnics are prohibited.
Firearms
No firearms or weapons are permitted in the restrooms or shelters. Violators are considered trespassers and subject to forfeiture or arrest.
Glass
Glass is not allowed.
Hunting & Trapping
Hunting and trapping are prohibited.
Open Hours
Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset.
Plants
All plants and animals are protected. Disturbance or removal requires written permission.
Trails
Stay on and use designated trails only.
Trash & Recycling
Place trash in container provided. Please take recyclable material home for proper disposal.