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Vilas (Henry) Park

Vilas (Henry) Park
Address: 1602 Vilas Park Dr.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 45.67
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Wingra

Park Details

One of Madison's oldest parks, Vilas curves along the northern shore of Lake Wingra, offering a sandy beach for summer swims, numerous fishing sites, including two accessible piers and winter ice skating on the lagoon and rinks with a seasonal warming shelter offering concessions and skate rentals. The park offers year-round recreation for all ages and is adjacent to the UW Arboretum and the Henry Vilas Zoo. 

VILAS PARK MASTER PLAN
Madison Parks is planning for the future of Vilas Park and we need your input to make it a success. What do you love most about Vilas Park? What would you change? Visit Park Projects for more information.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS
• 3-hour parking limit MGO 8.18(2) and (5) and Section 1.08(3)(a)
A three (3) hour parking limit is enforced at all times in the parking lots.
• Bus Parking Prohibited
Buses are prohibited from parking in single-vehicle stalls in Vilas Park. Bus drivers may drop passengers off at Vilas Park and then relocate to the rear parking lot at Bowman Park, 1775 Fish Hatchery Road.

Park Highlights

  • An accessible pier at Vilas Park opened in September 2018. LEARN MORE
 
vilas accessible pier
shoe
Photo Credit: Colleen Eccles
  • The "Old Woman in a Shoe" slide was built in 1962 as a gift to the Madison community. Members of the Madison Lathers Local 111, Madison Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 204 donated the labor and materials. Warren Walder oversaw construction of the slide, which was dedicated to George Morrell, a lather/contractor who had died several years earlier.
 

At this Park

  • Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the number of basketball hoops per resident, come check out the hoops in your neighborhood! Most of the basketball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations. 

    View all Basketball Courts

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1 full
  • Madison B-cycle is an urban bike sharing program that allows you to rent bikes. The bikes have adjustable seats for people of all sizes, as well as a basket for easy carrying. To join or learn more visit B-cycle. View all Madison Parks B-cycle Stations

  • Sunrise or sunset? We have some of the best views in town!
    Take in the spectacular lake views at one of these beaches. 

    Water quality testing is performed Memorial Day through Labor Day by Public Health Madison & Dane County. 

    View all Beaches

    • Vilas Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Closed
      Address: 1501 Vilas Park Dr.
      Restroom: Yes
      Drinking Water: Yes
      Parking: Parking Lot
      Amenities: Picnic Tables

      Swim Ropes: Yes
      Lifeguard: No

      Beach Details

  • 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):

    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.
    • 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. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: No

      Notes: No trailer parking available.
  • 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 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.  
    2021 Storage costs (tax included):
    $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.
    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
  • Madison Parks has several parks with working fireplaces.  You are welcome to use the fireplaces with your park shelter reservation. Hoyt Park also has several refurbished outdoor fireplaces where you can enjoy toasted marshmallows and a quiet evening around a fire. Just remember to bring your own wood and extinguish the fire completely before leaving the park.  Please note, fires are not permitted in Vilas Park during the winter months.
      View all Fireplaces
  • 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
  • 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

    • Vilas Park Native American Mounds

      Location: corner of Erin and Wingra Street
      Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.

      Description: Overlooking the zoo at the corner of Erin and Wingra Streets is an Indian mound group consisting of a bird burial mound, a linear and six conicals. Two additional conical mounds and another bird were destroyed long ago. Most of Vilas Park was originally a marsh, providing a bounty of fish, birds small game and wild rice to the mound builders.

      This mound group was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 7, 1990, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

      More Information: Landmark Nomination

  • 19 designated rinks and lagoons at 13 locations throughout the park system.  

    • FREE-TO-USE: All designated rinks and lagoons are free to use. No reservation required! 
    • SKATE RENTALS AVAILABLE (first-come, first-served): Elver, Tenney and Vilas
    • No rentals on Mondays and Tuesdays. 
    • CHECK THE STATUS: Is the rink open? See the status below.
      • DO NOT skate, walk, or otherwise go on a rink or lagoon until it is declared open. Doing so is not safe and slows the opening process by damaging the ice.
      • While ice is never 100% safe, staff monitors the ice depth to be at least 5" to safely support humans and grooming equipment.
    • LEARN MORE about winter recreation in Madison Parks:

    WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR 
    Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, park users will see a number of adjustments this season.

    • Wear a mask.
    • Restrooms open, with limited capacity.
    • Warming shelters are closed to the public. No personal items may be left inside. 
    • Skate rentals available with modified hours. See each location for equipment, rates, and hours. 
    • No hot chocolate or concessions. 
    • Limited outdoor seating provided.

    A big thank you to our many volunteers and the ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM! 

    View all Ice Skating

  • Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces.  Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field.  These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of!  Enjoy your parks!

    View all Open Fields

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Open Field Games

  • 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

  • According to the Trust for Public Land Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds per capita - 7 playgrounds for every 10,000 people. That's a lot of options! In 2020, our overall ParkScore Ranking was #12 in the nation. 

    Madison Parks offers all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park. The Elver Park playground opened in July 2019. READ MORE. 
     

    View all Playgrounds

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Playground

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Playground

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Playground

  • Public restrooms are located throughout the park system and in many locations with a reservable shelter. Year-round restrooms are open at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park.

    Seasonal restrooms are generally open mid-April through mid-October, from approximately 10am to 8pm daily. 

    View all Restrooms

    • Vilas Park

      Location: 1602 Vilas Park Drive
      OPEN

  • 2021 SHELTER RESERVATIONS

    • Most shelters are open mid-April through mid-October (see exceptions below). You may check availability and reserve a shelter for 2021 ONLINE or by calling (608) 266-4711. 
      • Full payment is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits.   
      • Credit card (MasterCard or Visa) is the only accepted method of payment. 
      • Due to COVID-19, the Parks office remains closed to the public and we cannot accept cash or check as payment. 
      • All reservations are subject our standard cancellation policy. 
      • See individual shelter details for pricing.
      • Prior to reserving, be sure to visit Parks Projects. We are continually improving our park system and some of these improvements may impact a nearby shelter. 
    • The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables.

    Shelter Open Schedule Exceptions:

    Note: 

    • Picnic shelters may now be reserved online or by calling or are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Madison Parks does not guarantee absolute privacy to any group.  Your reservation will reserve only the facility you are using, not the entire park or other facilities within the park. If you are interested in reserving the entire park, please visit Special Events.
    • Alcohol is permitted in most Madison Parks. There are a handful of parks that are alcohol-free. In order to have alcohol in these parks, you must have a reservation and an alcohol permit, which can be obtained when placing your reservation.
    • Public improvements and/or construction may be underway during the time of your reservation.  The City of Madison Parks Division makes every attempt to schedule around events and shelter reservations whenever possible, however, this is not a guarantee.  Please keep in mind improvements to parks and infrastructure continues throughout the year.  Please visit Park Projects for a partial list of major capital improvement projects.
    • Firearms or weapons are not permitted at any of the shelters. Violators may be considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or arrest.
    • The availability of Gates of Heaven may be checked online however, you will need to call to make your reservation.
    • 2022 reservations begin at 8:00am on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 

    View all Large Shelters

    • Vilas Park

      Address: 1602 Vilas Park Drive
      Capacity: Seats 170 people
      Restrooms: In shelter
      Water: Available in shelter
      Parking: Parking lot


      Shelter Details
  • Slacklining is a balance sport that uses nylon webbing, typically 1"-2" wide, suspended horizontaslacklininglly between two anchor points. Slacklining and hammocking, under policy, are allowed at specific times and on specific park trees. In December 2017, the Board of Park Commissioners approved a policy and guidelines for slacklining and hammocking on park trees. The policy provides information on when, where, and how. Please review the following documents before tethering on any park trees.  View all Slacklining and Hammocking
  • 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. 

    NEW - Snowshoe Rentals at Vilas Park
    When the ice rinks are open and we are staffed at Vilas Park, stop over for a pair of snowshoes to rent. Be sure to check the ice skating page for the status, select the Vilas frozen lagoon or rink for hours - Wednesday - Sunday. 

    RATES 
    Snowshoe Rentals Adult (16 & older) Youth (15 & under)
    Hourly $5 $2
    Additional Hour $2 $2
    Daily (24 hours) $25  $10
    Additional day $15 $5

    TIPS - Where is snowshoeing allowed?
    • 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 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:
    View all Snowshoeing

  • Many of the soccer fields are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

    The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.
     

    View all Soccer Fields

    • Vilas Park - Soccer

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

  • Madison Parks has nearly 100 tennis courts.  Most of the tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. When courts are reserved, at least one must be left available for pick-up play. Please note that all tennis leagues and all tennis instructors must pay for a reservation, no matter the location. Go to: Athletic Field Reservations

    Practice Wall Locations
    Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland

    Shared Pickleball Courts
    Elvehjem, Heritage Heights, Norman Clayton, Northland Manor, Tenney, and Walnut Grove
     

    View all Tennis Courts

    • Vilas (Henry) Park - Tennis Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 6

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