Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to experience many of our parks during the winter months. The sport is easy to learn, poses little risk of injury and is a great way to exert energy during the cold winter months. Anyone from young children to senior citizens can easily learn to snowshoe and enjoy your first time out. 

We have various length trails in our parks that can be used as snowshoeing trails in the winter.  In addition to the parks listed, snowshoeing is also permitted on designated trails at Yahara Hills Golf Course and Tom George Greenway, which is located between Heritage Prairie and Elvehjem Sanctuary.
 
Snowshoers must stay on the trails. Please note snowshoes are not allowed on cross country ski trails at anytime. Madison Parks does not rent snowshoes.

Please keep in mind that there needs to be sufficient snow to create a base for snowshoeing. The woods generally need more snow to fall because the trees protect the trails.

Snowshoeing in conservation parks.

1) The preservation of the conservation parks ordinance (8.40) requires all park visitors to use designated and maintained trails.

2) Our trail systems are designed to facilitate controlled public access while protecting environmentally sensitive areas, and providing quite 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.

3) Snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing off trail destroys 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 make the small mammals more vulnerable to predation.

Thank you for staying on the trails!