Outdoor Adventure in Madison

Our lake-city-lake landscape creates a one-of-a-kind place where wellness always wins year-round. Connecting people to lakes and landscapes is kind of our thing. From five lakes to 307 parks and 200+ miles of hiking and biking trails connecting surrounding towns, adventure is all around.

In Madison, we believe the outdoors are for everyone, which is why we make it easy to find adventure with easily accessible e-bike rentals and so many miles of trails that you're guaranteed to find one that's just your speed. Bike the Lake Monona Loop and enjoy 13 miles of scenic views of the water, downtown skyline and surrounding neighborhoods, stroll along the shore of Lake Mendota at Picnic Point or enjoy a hike on various segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

It's no surprise that being outdoors increases your mood, which is why we feel proud to have been titled #7 of 10 Happiest Cities in America and why we think your next on-the-go getaway's gotta be in bikeable, hikeable, unforgettable Madison.

Madison is one of only two cities in the country on an isthmus. A downtown bordered by two lakes means twice the outdoor adventure!

Lake. City. Lake.
(Lake, Lake, Lake.)

Lake life is better here: you get all the up-north fun with the conveniences of a city—all year long. Madison is home to five lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa and Kegonsa) and each have their own personality. The lakes are for everyone, whether you're looking to SUP along the skyline, make your kayak steer toward a beer or try your luck floating in a giant yellow duck.

We take biking to the platinum level

No, seriously. Madison is 1 of only 5 Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly Communities in the U.S., which means biking in Madison isn't just a hobby, it's a culture. Our bike trails sprawl through downtown and connect our vibrant neighborhoods to the surrounding countryside. Don't have a bike? No problem. Madison BCycle has 525 electric bikes at 110 stations throughout the city, making our bikeable city accessible to visitors and commuters.

Looking for a ride to fit your vibe? Sign up for Madison By Bike for a free pass to discovering some of Madison's best bike paths with great food, shopping and art to admire along the way. And don't forget the best part: you'll unlock discounts and earn prizes as you ride.

Scenes you'll find only in Madison

Wide open landscapes. Jaw-dropping scenery. All with the iconic Madison skyline in the background.

You can walk from Lake Mendota to Lake Monona via the Capitol building in fewer than 30 minutes, and you're never more than a 10-minute walk from a park anywhere in the city. A recent U.S. Travel Association report indicated that travelers are looking for wide-open, poetic landscapes with cities as a backdrop. We couldn’t be more perfectly situated to make Madison known as the town with a built-in playground.