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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South

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

snow ski at Cherokee Marsh South
Cross-country skiing by Jan Axelson

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, South Unit has trails that explore restored prairie, oak savanna, and woodland. High ground offers views of sedge meadow, deep marsh, and the upper Yahara River. Three constructed ponds filter urban stormwater and provide wildlife habitat. A gravel boat launch and pier provide river access. When snow-covered, all trails except the east-most loop are groomed for classic cross-country skiing. The park offers 3.8 miles of trails in total.

Birdlife includes sandhill crane, wood duck, great blue heron, green heron, and belted kingfisher. The wooded areas and woodland edges have woodpeckers, wood-warblers, nesting Baltimore oriole, and blue-gray gnatcatcher. 

Visit the Friends of Cherokee Marsh to learn more, including events and volunteer projects. 

Park Highlights

cherokee marsh south landing
Photo by Mary Manering

Land Management

Cherokee Marsh, Dane County's largest wetland, is located at the head of the chain of Yahara lakes. Cherokee Marsh - South Unit is one piece in a complex of protected land that supports wildlife and native plant communities in the marsh and adjacent uplands.

This park is situated on ancestral Ho-Chunk land. Cherokee Marsh's name dates to a 19th-century hunting club in the area. 
cherokee marsh south pond
Photo by Jan Axelson


Before being acquired by the City in the mid-1960s, the uplands and a portion of the wetlands were used for agriculture and gravel mining. Restoration has included converting old fields to tallgrass prairie, removing invasive woody species from oak woodlands, and prescribed burning. Aquatic plants have been established in the stormwater ponds.

Restoration of oak woodland and oak savanna has resulted in increased numbers of woodpeckers, including the red-headed woodpecker, a Wisconsin Species of Special Concern. Parks management follows a snag protection policy to preserve dead, standing trees for wildlife.

American lotus has been established in the river to protect the river shoreline from erosion and improve water quality.

Visit, the Friends of Cherokee Marsh for sponsor events and volunteer workdays.
 

At this Park

  • OLBRICH BOAT LAUNCH ADVISORY

    Boaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. READ MORE

    Limited & Reduced Trailer Parking in 2022

    • Marshall - Approx. April 15 - May 31
      Due to the City of Middleton construction project, the Marshall Park boat launch will have reduced available trailer parking from approximately April 15 until May 31. 
    • Olin - Saturday, May 21
      Due to permitted events, the Olin Park boat launch will have limited available trailer parking all day on Saturday, May 21, 2022.  

    ACCESSING THE LAKES 

    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): See Purchase Permit 

    • 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.
    • Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 15 of the previous year. 
    • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield. 
    • The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP
    DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE
    • LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
    • LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

    2022 Fees

    Daily $8
    Dane County Resident Annual $40
    Nonresident Annual $50
    Dane County Senior (65+) $21
    Nonresident Senior (65+) $28
    Disabled $21
    Duplicate/Replacement $18

    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. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • 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.
  • 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

  • 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 calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
    • 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.  
    2022 Storage costs (tax included):
    $110 Madison Resident
    $200 Non-Resident

    Watercraft storage rules include:
    • Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
    • Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
    • 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.
    If you believe your watercraft has been stolen or removed by Parks staff: Call a Park Ranger to report at (608) 235-0448.

    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage

  • 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, the type, and 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. To learn more about the grooming process, please see Winter Recreation: Cross-Country Skiing. You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users. 

    Elver Park 2021-22 Update: Through a mutual decision, there will be no machine-made snow loop at Elver Park this winter season. The MadNorSki, CXC and Parks team are focusing efforts on improvements to the natural ski trails and grooming, as conditions allow. READ MORE ABOUT THIS DECISION

    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). 
    • SKI RENTALS: Classic ski rentals, sleds, snowshoes and ice skates are available. See Elver Park for hours and rates. 
    • Learn more about cross-country skiing in Madison Parks:

    PURCHASE PERMIT

    2022 Permit Fees 

    Daily $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 on November 15 and is valid through December 31. 2022. 
    • The permit is 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
    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 (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

    View all Cross-Country Skiing
  • 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.
     
    Every 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
    View all Fishing
  • 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
  • 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 preservation of conservation parks includes some of the following. More information may be found in Madison General Ordinances 8.40.

  • Alcohol

    Alcohol is prohibited in all conservation 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.