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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.

Features 3 miles of trails. Trail Map (PDF)

Park Highlights

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

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

  • Most trails are free to use as conditions allow. A daily or annual ski permit is required for Elver Park, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills for skiers aged 16 and older and may be purchased ONLINE. A 2020 permit is valid through December 31, 2020 and is valid for Dane County Park trails also. 

     

    2020 Fees

    Odana Hills
    Odana Hills by Sonya Hollenthoner
    Daily $7
    Annual $30
    Senior (65+) & Disabled $15
    Replacement $12





     



    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
  • OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS: (Updated 05/14/2020) On May 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to invalidate the Safer at Home order issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, effective immediately. As a result, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued an order PDF  that incorporates the elements of the statewide Safer at Home order PDF  for the city of Madison and Dane County, effective immediately. When spending time outside during COVID-19, please follow these recommendations from Public Health Madison & Dane County:
    • Do not use parks or trails if you are sick with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.
    • Maintain a social distance of at least six feet from people other than your household members.
    MORE INFORMATION:  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

  • MANY OPEN: high use locations are open as a phased-in plan due to limited staffing to safely clean each facility. As of 06/19/2020, the following restrooms, listed alphabetically by park name, are open. You may anticipate these to be open daily by 10:00am, until posted otherwise. 

    • Brittingham shelter and beach (partner location)
    • Burrows 
    • Cherokee Marsh Conservation - North 
    • Demetral 
    • Elver (new shelter) 
    • James Madison 
    • Marshall boat launch and beach (partner location) 
    • Olbrich softball/canoe launch & beach (partner location)
    • Olin
    • Owen Conservation 
    • Penn 
    • Reindahl
    • Spring Harbor boat launch 
    • Tenney pavilion 
    • Vilas shelter 
    • Warner boat launch and shelter 
    • Wingra boathouse (partner location)
    New signage once open includes:
    RESTROOM GUIDELINES
    • Help us keep restrooms OPEN AND CLEAN. Put trash in receptacles.   
    • Maintain 6' physical space with members outside of your household.
      • Based on restroom size, this may mean one person at a time or every other stall. 
    • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
    FOR MORE PARK CHANGES AND UPDATES DUE TO COVID-19, VISIT:
    cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus

    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
    Restrooms are located throughout the parks system and in most cases in a park with a reservable shelter.  Most of the restrooms are available only during the summer months. Restrooms available during the winter months include those open for winter activities at the following parks:   Tenney, Vilas, Elver, Olbrich, Warner and Westmorland Parks.

    No firearms or weapons are permitted on this property. Violators are considered trespassers and subject to forfeiture or arrest.

    View all Restrooms

    • Owen Conservation Park - Restroom

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No
  • 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 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.