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Owen Conservation Park

Owen Conservation Park
Address: 6021 Old Sauk Rd.
Hours: 4:00am - dusk
Park Type: Conservation
Acres: 96.79
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes

Park Details

On a hilltop overlooking Madison's west side, this park was the farm and personal retreat of former University Professor Edward T. Owen.  Today, prairies and oak savannas have risen like a phoenix to reclaim the landscape.  Coneflowers, goldenrod, and bluestem are among the many plants that yield a harvest of ever-changing color and texture throughout the year. 

Help us identify plant species found at Owen Conservation Park. We welcome your help in verifying and updating this list. Feel free to send us any notes or information you may have about the plant community at Owen, including the dates you observe the different species to pquinlan@cityofmadison.com.

Interested in volunteering? Visit, the Friends of Owen Conservation Park, to learn more. 

During the winter, approximately 1.6 miles are groomed for classic cross-country skiing as snow cover allows. No permit is required at this trail. 

Park Highlights

Bird & Nature Adventures: Explore this park with a FREE, guided nature walk offered monthly.

Land Management

In 2008, construction was completed on 3 stormwater/wildlife ponds in the southwest corner of the park near Jetty Dr.  The ponds replaced an eroded channel that carried tons of sediment to Lake Mendota every year.  The first 2 ponds  trap nearly 70% of the sediment.  The third pond  functions chiefly as additional wildlife habitat.  Native prairie plants, trees and shrubs surround the ponds.  The ponds have been planted with aquatic plants.  Having permanent water habitat will attract additional wildlife e.g. herons, wood ducks, shorebirds.

At this Park

  • Cross-Country Skiing News

    • As of Monday, February 27, all designed Madison Parks ski trails CLOSED & grooming operations ended for the 2022-23 season.
    • In the event of a significant snowfall after Feb. 27, trails may become skiable again, however, the website will NOT be updated and trails will not be groomed. 
    • See MadNorSki for area trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users. 
    • Ski rentals & concessions are CLOSED for the 2022-23 season. 

    Cross-Country Skiing in Madison Parks

    Seven (7) winter trails are designated and groomed for cross-country skiing. Four are free-to-use and three require a daily or annual cross-country ski permit. 

    • FREE-TO-USE: Cherokee Marsh Conservation - South, Owen, Turville Point and Yahara Hills.
      • Groomed weekly, and as conditions allow. 
    • PERMIT REQUIRED: Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills Golf Course.
      • Groomed several times per week, and as conditions allow
      • A daily or annual Cross-Country Ski Permit is required for anyone aged 16 years or older and may be purchased ONLINE. 
    • TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS
      • OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted. 
      • CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
    • RESTROOMS: Available at Elver, Cherokee Marsh - South (portable), Odana (portable), Owen and Door Creek (portable).
    • DOGS: Dogs are NOT allowed on cross-country ski trails. Please walk your leashed dogs on designated hiking/snowshoeing trails. 
    • HIKING/SNOWSHOEING: Do not walk on a designated cross-country ski trail. Hiking or snowshoeing is allowed ANYWHERE except on cross-country ski trails and off-trail in a conservation park. See SNOWSHOEING for suggested locations. When in doubt, don't. 
    SKI RENTALS
    Classic skis with boots and poles are available to rent from Elver and Odana Hills* and include a daily cross-country ski permit. *Before you head out, be sure to check the status of each location. Rental days are only when a location is listed as open. Please click location to see if listed as open. If a location is closed for winter recreation, rentals are not available.  

    2023 Fees 

    Daily $7
    Annual $30
    Annual Senior (65+) & Disabled $15
    Annual Military/Veteran (New!) $15
    Replacement $12

    PURCHASE PERMIT
    • 2023 permit is available Nov. 1 and is valid through December 31, 2023. 
    • The permit is valid for Dane County Parks trails also. 

    *New* Door Creek Park Added as Cross-Country Ski Permit Site

    Earlier this year, Madison Common Council approved a revised ordinance for the Cross-Country Ski Permit Program, which allows the Board of Park Commissioners to designate fee-based locations. A cross-country ski permit is required for Elver Park, Odana Hills Golf Course, and new this year, Door Creek Park. Yahara Hills is a free-to-use site. 

    For those not familiar with the ski program in Madison Parks, typical free-to-use ski trail sites, offer limited grooming, about once per week, and as conditions allow. Fee-based sites require a Cross-Country Ski Permit and use funding from the program to provide more frequent grooming, typically 3-4 times per week or as conditions allow. 

    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 and type of snow, as well as, 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.  

    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 are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
    • Free-to-use ski trails are tracked or roll groomed for classic cross-country skiing. 
    • We may not be able to groom or we may close a trail to preserve the trail condition. The website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
    • Permit fees are non-refundable
    • You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.

    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
  • 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 in parks are available for park programs or events during regular park hours: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Please observe the following. 

    Parking Rules

    • Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
    • Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
    • No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am. Overnight parking is not allowed. 
    • Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset
    • Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
    • Violators are subject to a fine.
    Law Park: metered parking stalls
    The parking lot located on the eastern side of Law Park, commonly known as the Blair Lot, is a metered parking lot, enforced by City of Madison Parking Division between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
      View all Parking Lots

  • Open public restrooms are listed below. All portable restrooms are accessible. 

    Year-Round Open Restrooms
    Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Park Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park are open daily, from approximately 10am to 8pm. 

    Spring - Fall  
    Most restrooms are open daily from approximately 10am to 8pm, opening by the first Saturday on or after April 20 and closing for the season October - November. Locations and dates vary and the website is updated. 

    Winter
    Once winter recreation begins, in addition to the year-round locations, 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

    • Owen Conservation Park

      Location: 6021 Old Sauk Rd.
      OPEN

      Notes: open year-round
  • Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing.  Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks

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.