Photo by William Patterson

Sports & Recreation

A city built on an isthmus, Madison is surrounded by 15,429 acres of lakes and has over 6,000 acres of parkland. The City of Madison Parks Division maintains over 260 parks, 10 beaches, four premiere golf courses, four off-leash dog exercise areas, and 14 conservation parks. In the winter, the staff maintains the outdoor ice rinks and the cross-country ski trails. Following are some opportunities to take advantage of all Madison's natural splendor!

For more information go to the VIsitor section Sports and Recreation page.

HIKING & BIKING TRAILS

With more than 120 miles of shared-use trails and paths you can get just about anywhere you'd like in Madison on bike, foot or inline skates!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Howard Temin Lakeshore Path extends almost three miles on the shore of Lake Mendota from the Memorial Union to scenic Picnic Point. Most of this path is paved and it connects to the Lake Mendota footpath into the Eagle Heights area. The Lakeshore Path is used daily by UW students and visitors alike.
Pick up the Capital City Trail and get a great view of downtown Madison. The bike path wraps around Monona Terrace® Community and Convention Center and there is an elevator on the east side that can accommodate up to three bicycles and riders at a time. The elevator, which was the first of its kind in Madison, enables bikers to move from the lake level to the Wilson Street level.
For a longer adventure, the Capital City Trail connects to the Military Ridge State Trail in Verona, continuing out to Blue Mounds through fantastic ridge and valley views.

MADISON PARKS & NATURE AREAS

Whether you've lived in Madison for 30 years or you're visiting for the weekend, nothing is better than experiencing the splendor of the seasons at one of Greater Madison's parks or nature areas. With 29,000 acres of land designated for recreational use, you won't have to look far to find fun outdoor activities!

Explore the mystery and beauty of nature at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the 16-acre garden featuring seasonal display gardens and the beautiful Thai Pavilion & Garden. Enjoy a tropical paradise year-round in Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants, bright flowers, a rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids and free-flying birds. This picturesque attraction is one the whole family will enjoy!
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Picnic Point is a favorite among Madisonians. This heavily wooded peninsula extends into Lake Mendota and offers a spectacular view of the lake, the University campus and the Capitol. Picnic Point is a popular hiking destination, campfire and bird watching location.
The UW Arboretum plays host to nature's finery throughout the year. Stroll through the new buds of spring, the lively atmosphere of summer, the blazing colors of autumn, or the powerful beauty of winter in this 1,240-acre ecological laboratory. Filled with examples of major plant communities in the Midwest, the Arboretum offers guided tours or hours of solo exploration.

SWIMMING & MORE!

With five major lakes and over 40 boat launches, Madison's lakes are the perfect place for a day of fun! Whether winter or summer, there's always something happening on Madison's lakes!

Lake Mendota is the largest in Madison and creates the northern shore of Madison's isthmus. Lake Mendota offers boating, canoeing, sailing, skiing and swimming opportunities.
Lake Monona, the second largest lake in the area, hugs the southern side of Madison's isthmus, and its shoreline is home to the Monona Terrace® Community and Convention Center. Enjoy a day on this lake boating, swimming or walking around it.
The City of Madison Parks Division has 13 beaches, 10 of which have lifeguard services, and a public outdoor swimming pool.

OUTDOOR EVENTS IN MADISON

Madison's natural beauty is the perfect setting for many large-scale, outdoor events. On land or water, foot or wheels, there are plenty of great events happening in Madison.

Capitol Square Sprints (February) Madison's Capitol Square is transformed into a premiere cross-country ski track for this exciting winter event. The race is part of the NorthAm/SuperTour and is a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.
Crazylegs Classic (April) The scenic race course is considered a "runner's delight," starting on the Capitol Square and finishing on the 50-yard line at Camp Randall Stadium where finishers are congratulated by Badger celebrities and a post-race celebration.
Madison Marathon (May) A great marathon in a great city! The Madison Marathon takes runners and spectators around the Capitol Square, through unique shopping districts, the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and beautiful city parks. Held every spring, the Madison Marathon provides fun and excitement throughout the entire community!
Syttende Mai (May) Each May, the Stoughton community hosts the Syttende Mai run, a 20-mile race from Madison to Stoughton, and a 17-mile non-competitive walk.
Paddle & Portage (July) Following an historic Native American trail, over 600 athletes paddle 1.5 miles across Lake Mendota, pick up their canoes and portage 1.5 miles over the isthmus to Lake Monona, finishing with a 1.5-mile paddle across Lake Monona. This fun event is a summer tradition happening the third Saturday in July!
Ironman Wisconsin (September) This national triathlon brings athletes from all over the world to Madison. With the help of local volunteers, 2,400 participants swim 2.4 miles in Lake Monona, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles-all in one day!

SEASONS OF SPECTACULAR SPECTATOR SPORTS

With University of Wisconsin-Madison athletic events, minor league baseball and more, it's easy to find an opportunity to cheer on your favorite athletes!

Madison Mallards Baseball (June-August) Madison's own summer collegiate minor league baseball team. In 2007, the Northwoods League featured 14 teams playing in great minor league ballparks, and featuring some excellent competition.
UW-Madison Badger Football (September- November) Football Saturdays have become a favorite tradition in Madison, and Camp Randall Stadium is always filled to its 80,000 person capacity.
UW Intercollegiate Athletics (Year-round) In addition to the fast-paced action on the gridiron, UW-Madison athletes compete in a wide range of sports including: basketball, cross country, golf, hockey, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and volleyball. Please check www.uwbadgers.com for a complete schedule of great collegiate competitions.

BIKES, SKATES AND BOATS INCLUDED!

When visiting Madison, you can bring your own equipment for outdoor fun, or rent some of ours! Bicycles, inline skates, and more are all available for affordable hourly or daily rates.

Budget Bicycle Center and Williamson Bicycle Works offer daily and weekly rentals of regular and tandem bikes.
Head out on the lakes with professional expertise! Hook ‘N Eyes' Fishing Guide Service offers first-rate guide service on Madison's Chain of Lakes.
There are 25 boat launching sites and several marinas/boat storage sites on the Yahara River lakes. Lake Access Permits are required year-round at City of Madison and Dane County launching sites. For information, contact the Dane County Parks Department at 608.242.4576 or www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks.
The Wisconsin Hoofers, one of the largest outdoor recreation clubs of any public institution in the country, offers outdoor opportunities in mountaineering, outing, riding, sailing, scuba and skiing and snowboarding. Activities are designed for Wisconsin Hoofer members and nonmembers.

A COURSE FOR EVERY GOLFER!

Madison and area communities offer a wide array of golf courses open to the public that suit all ability levels-from world-renowned and championship courses to par-3 and miniature golf courses. In addition to Madison's municipal golf courses, you may wish to spend a day on the links at any of these great courses:

SPORTS FACILITIES/OPPORTUNITIES

Boulders Climbing Gym Madison's premier indoor rock climbing facility! No appointment or experience necessary. Beginners, kids and adults welcome.
Self-guided Walking Tours Spend an afternoon getting to know Madison by taking a self-guided tour of one of Madison's historic neighborhoods. The City of Madison offers downloadable files of 14 walking tours on its Web site, http://www.cityofmadison.com/.

WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Outdoor recreation doesn't stop when the temperature drops in this four-season city. Whether sledding, skiing or skating, you can do it all in Madison's winter wonderland!

Lace up your skates and glide around one of Madison's ice rinks. A number of outdoor rinks rent skates, and countless more are tucked in local neighborhoods.
Madison and Dane County offer excellent groomed trails for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Experience the quiet natural beauty of winter while skiing through a snow-covered park.
Hit the slopes at one of the area's ski and snowboard hotspots! Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area is located just 18 miles west of Madison!
Devil's Head Ski Resort in South Central Wisconsin attracts skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels because of its 500 vertical feet of excitement. Devil's Head has a variety of perfectly- groomed ski runs that sit on top of one of the highest mountains in Wisconsin. It also has miles of challenging single track trails that traverse the slopes, providing some of the most challenging mountain biking in the Midwest.

SOME NEARBY COUNTY & STATE PARKS

Devil's Lake State Park. Situated along the Ice Age Trail, the park offers 500 foot cliffs, miles of hiking trails, swimming areas including 2 large sandy beaches, hundreds of campsites, mountain bike trails, cross country ski trails, great climbs and so much more.
Governor Dodge State Park. 5,000 scenic acres of steep hills, bluffs and deep valleys, plus two lakes each with pet swim areas adjacent to swimming beaches.
Indian Lake Park. At 483 acres, Indian Lake is one of Dane County's largest parks. A trail has been developed around the entire lake, and miles of cross-country ski and nature trails in the wooded hills provide many recreational opportunities and access to a log cabin warming house.
Prairie Moraine Park. This 160-acre park is ideal for viewing the moraine and provides an excellent area for interpretation of Wisconsin's glacial history.
Yahara Heights/Cherokee Marsh. This 385-acre site contains Cherokee Marsh, the largest remaining wetland in Dane County and the major wetland in Lake Mendota's Watershed. Yahara Heights Park consists of over 3,000 feet of water frontage within the upper Yahara basin, providing a wildlife habitat preserve, fish spawning grounds, and a water sedimentation area for Lake Mendota.