Stunning views. Now in fall hues. Visiting Madison in fall means experiencing the richness of fall color in a city studded with glittering lakes and surrounded by state parks and natural areas.
Exploring Madison's fall colors can take on any form you choose. Want to take a relaxing stroll? There's a park for that. Ready to hop on two wheels and bike your way through autumn? That's an option. Looking for a moderately or extremely challenging fall hike? Of course you'll find that too. Your new favorite spot for fall adventure in the capital city awaits!
Click here to view these colorful spots in a map view.
Pro Tip: Peep Travel Wisconsin's Fall Color Report for down-to-the-minute updates on the status of Madison's fall color.
Tenney Park
Right where the Yahara River and Lake Mendota meet on Madison's near-east side is Tenney Park. The park is one of Madison's most picturesque spaces, offering scenes straight from a storybook, especially during the fall. Take a peaceful stroll across the park's historic bridges and enjoy the vibrant foliage lining the river while soaking in the autumn views reflected in the water.
Tenney Park is walkable, bikeable and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Pro Tip: The pedestrian bridge at Tenney Park is a known favorite among local photographers.
Picnic Point
Picnic Point is a beloved Madison hotspot on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Part of the 300 acres of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Picnic Point is a one-mile peninsula that juts into Lake Mendota. This is the perfect spot to enjoy fall color and lakeshore views all in one. The canopy of color-changing trees in the fall offers a quaint, quiet space to explore just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and campus.
Picnic Point is walkable and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Pro Tip: Bikes are not allowed on the peninsula, but you can bike and see even more fall color along the connecting Lakeshore Path.
San Damiano Park
Along nearly 1,075 feet of Lake Monona shoreline, you'll discover San Damiano Park. Rich with history and natural resources, this land was home to encampments of Indigenous people thousands of years ago, including ancestors of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Throughout history, the land has been home to farmland and a friary until it became a public park in 2021, beloved by locals and visitors alike. Offering cedars, sycamores, oaks, pines and apple trees, the park is a beautiful oasis year-round, but especially in fall. Take a stroll beneath colorful trees, enjoy sweeping water views and take in the peaceful beauty of the season at this scenic Monona park.
San Damiano Park is a walkable park.
Pro Tip: Grab a seasonal coffee or little treat for your stroll at Crema Cafe, right across the street.
University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
One of the world’s oldest arboretums, with the most varied collection of ecological communities, is right in the heart of Madison. Its 1,200 acres feature hiking trails, gardens, woodlands, wetlands, savannas and prairies—including several “remnant” areas which have been left undisturbed since the glaciers left Wisconsin 15,000 years ago.
These 1,200 acres come alive with rich, warm tones each fall. Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the gardens, take a casual hike up the trails or experience the vibrant colors by bike on the arboretum's dedicated, paved biking trails.
The UW–Madison Arboretum is walkable, hikeable, bikeable and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers on paved paths.
Pro Tip: Earn rewards for visiting the "Arb" by signing up for Madison By Bike before you go and be sure to check in during your visit!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
The free botanical gardens on Madison's east side are a year-round favorite. Take in the changing colors through 16 acres of outdoor gardens, including specialty gardens like the perennial, sunken and herb gardens.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is walkable and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Pro Tip: Don't miss Olbrich's annual GLEAM event Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30–10:30 p.m. between August 29 and October 24. This colorful exhibit features large-scale outdoor light installations created by local, regional and international designers.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, located just outside of the city in Middleton, WI, consists of 682 acres of land. This natural preserve has a diverse topography and offers stunning panoramic views of the Wisconsin State Capitol building, downtown Madison skyline and Lake Mendota. The mix of open-water marsh, springs, prairies, meadows, forests and wooded hills makes this spot an excellent option for seeing fall foliage from several perspectives.
Quiet strolls, hikes and bird-watching are often enjoyed at the conservancy. If biking is more your speed and you're looking for a rustic, gravel cycling experience, this is your place. Take in the fall color through the conservancy's biking trail segments and loops.
Pheasant Branch is walkable, hikeable, bikeable and dog-friendly.
Pro Tip: This natural preserve is home to a group of Native American effigy mounds, including a bird-shaped mound with a wingspan that is larger than 140 feet. Please exercise caution and respect while observing native effigy mounds.
Governor Nelson State Park
On the northern shores of Lake Mendota sits Governor Nelson State Park, where nature and recreation meet. Aside from hiking trails, a sand beach and prairie restorations, you'll find 0.75 miles of the North Mendota Trail connecting the park to the village of Waunakee. In the fall, enjoy a scenic, peaceful hike through the vibrant autumn foliage and take in the sweeping lakeside views.
Governor Nelson State Park is walkable, hikeable and bikeable, and offers several trails accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Pro Tip: This park is dog-friendly and even offers an off-leash pet swimming area for pups that love to get in the water. Apart from this dedicated area, dogs must be kept on leashes.
Blue Mound State Park
Take in the stunning hues of fall from the highest point in southern Wisconsin at Blue Mound State Park. The East Observation Tower in the park's picnic area makes for incredible photos and unbeatable vantage points. Explore over 20 miles of various scenic hiking trails for the ultimate views of autumn foliage. The rail-trail, Military Ridge State Trail, connects the park to Madison, which lies 22 miles away.
If you're looking for accessible camping options, Blue Mound features an accessible cabin that can accommodate four people.
Blue Mound State Park is walkable, hikeable and bikeable for off-road biking.
Pro Tip: Pair your trip with a visit to Cave of the Mounds, just a 5-minute drive away!
Indian Lake County Park
Indian Lake County Park, one of Dane County's largest public parks, is home to plenty of hiking opportunities, including a section of the iconic Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Trails provide access around the entire lake, offering magical views of the fall colors in the water's reflection.
Take one of the park's winding trails to a historic 1857-built chapel on a hilltop with gorgeous views of Indian Lake and the surrounding valley.
Indian Lake County Park is walkable and hikeable.
Pro Tip: Foraging for edible fruits, nuts and mushrooms is allowed inside the park. Foraging is only permitted for personal use, not for resale.
Devil's Lake State Park
One of the oldest and most popular state parks in Wisconsin, Devil's Lake is known for having some of the most breathtaking views, especially as leaves change colors. The 500-foot bluffs overlooking the lake give you a bird's-eye view of the surrounding wooded areas and hue-changing treetops. The park features 29 miles of hiking trails that include a range of difficulty levels, so there's something for everyone!
Devil's Lake is walkable and hikeable, and offers 1.5 miles of trails that are accessible for people with disabilities.
Pro Tip: The views from the top of Balanced Rock Trail are some of locals' and visitors' favorites in the park.
