As one of the largest cities in Wisconsin, Madison may be known as an urban center in Wisconsin. However, one of our favorite things to do in Madison is to explore the many outdoor activities the town has to offer. While there are plenty of fun outdoor activities within the city of Madison, there are also tons of State Parks near Madison, Wisconsin, as well. And we love the State Parks (or National Parks for that matter). So we spent an entire weekend visiting all of the parks near Madison and wrote this post to help you find the perfect park for your Madison road trip.
When to Visit State Parks Near Madison
Most of the State Parks near Madison are open year round. Hiking trails convert to snowshoeing trails in the winter. Lush green summer forests make way to explosive fall color shows. So we really think that if you’re looking for something to do near Madison today, you’ll find something at one of these parks.
However, Wisconsin winters can be brutal. So if trekking through snow and cold isn’t your idea of fun, make sure to visit in the spring through fall.
Getting There and Around
Are you visiting Madison from outside of the state? Madison does have quite a nice little airport with several direct flights from around the country.
Once in Madison, you will need a car to explore all of these State Parks near Madison. In Wisconsin terms, all of the parks are “close” to Madison. But you could be driving up to an hour to visit some of them. And while Madison proper does have a public transport system, these parks do not.
Parks Near Madison, Wisconsin
Cross Plains State Park
Great For: quiet hikes
This park is so close to Madison, it may as well be in Madison. And this park is so lacking in amenities, it may not even register with you as a park. But it is. This park is home to some sections of the Ice Age Scenic Trail. You can park and hike around these trails with very few people around.
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Blue Mound State Park
Great For: Awesome views and mountain biking trails
This park is a great place to take in the views of Wisconsin’s Driftless area as it is located atop the tallest hill in the southern half of Wisconsin. To help you take in these views, there are two viewing towers you can climb up which will give you unobstructed views of the area around you. They also have mountain bike specific trails in this hilly park.
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Natural Bridge State Park
Great For: Seeing a natural bridge
This is an entire state park devoted to one 35 foot long rock bridge. Which is a really neat thing to see in Wisconsin, but which won’t fill much of your day. You can easily see everything there is to see at Natural Bridge State Park in under an hour. This, combined with the fact that this park’s close to Madison, makes it a great place to visit for a short walk.
Travel Time: 1 hour
Devil’s Lake State Park
Great For: Hiking and water activities
This is one of our favorite State Parks in all of Wisconsin because there is so much to see and do. This, combined with the fact that it is one of the few parks near Madison AND Wisconsin Dells, makes it a very popular park. There is something for everyone at Devil’s Lake. There is a sandy beach, camping, concessions, water activities, great hiking, rock climbing and more!
Travel Time: 55 mintues
Mirror Lake State Park
Great For: camping
Mirror Lake State Park is just outside of the Wisconsin Dells recreation area. And this park is a small park packed with amenities which makes it great for camping. With short hiking trails and massive camping areas, this park really seems to focus on housing campers visiting the Wisconsin Dells. Many of the trails in this park are fully paved making it a great place to visit for less mobile campers. This State Park near Madison also is home to one of the most popular Wisconsin supper clubs: Ishnala.
Travel Time: 1 hour
Governor Nelson State Park
Great For: water activities
This is one of the few parks near Madison that don’t require you leaving the confines of the “city”. On the north shore of Lake Mendota, this park provides visitors with a way of fully exploring the lake. There are trails around the lake, a sandy beach, play areas and more. You can easily explore this park in under an hour or spend an entire day playing here.
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Aztalan State Park
Great For: Wisconsin history
Aztalan State Park is one of the most interesting parks near Madison. It contains remnants and reconstructions of a village that was on the site around 1000 A.D. The park has some short hiking trails that allow you to explore the prairie wilderness and the archaeological sites in the park.
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Great For: Water Activities
Spend the day on or near Lake Kegonsa when you visit Lake Kegonsa State Park. This park has a swimming beach and hiking trails. Or for those with a boat, the fishing on this lake is supposed to be excellent. Or for those amateur ornithological enthusiasts like us, the bird watching in the spring and fall is exciting in this wetland area.
Travel Time: 25 minutes
New Glarus Woods State Park
Great For: biking and walking
This State Park near Madison is one huge walking and biking area with plenty of trails. These trails are converted to their winter equivalents making it a great park to visit year round. Trails will take you through woods and prairies. The prairie is especially pretty at the end of summer when flowers are in full bloom. As a bonus, you can stop at New Glarus brewery after your hike for a Wisconsin favorite.
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Great For: Water activities and camping
This is another great park to explore for a full weekend as there is a campsite and plenty of activities to keep you busy. Hiking trails, swimming beach and boat launches will allow you to wander the lake. While the lake isn’t as impressive as the Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, it still is a great park to visit near Madison.
Travel Time: 1 hour
Governor Dodge State Park
Great For: Water Activities
We think this is one of the best State Parks near Madison as there are so many things to do in this park. The park is huge and it is home to two lakes, plenty of hiking trails, several beaches, and multiple campgrounds. So if you’re looking to spend a whole weekend away from Madison, this would be a great park to explore.
Some highlights of the park include the short walk to Stephens Falls and the swimming areas at Cox Hollow Lake. However, don’t forget to take a walk along some of the hiking trails surrounding the lakes.
Travel Time: 50 minutes
Tower Hill State Park
Great For: Learning about history and the views
On the top of a hill sits a tower that was once used to make lead shot. Now the tower is a great viewing area for the surrounding Wisconsin River valley. The tower is also home to a small museum on the manufacturing process of lead shot. It’s an interesting piece of history and a very short stop.
Travel Time: 50 minutes
What to Budget
If you plan on visiting multiple parks near Madison, consider purchasing an annual admission sticker. Prices for annual admission are $28 for Wisconsin vehicles and $38 for out of state vehicles. These prices are for the vehicle and anyone in the vehicle.
However, if you’re only planning on visiting one of these parks near Madison in the calendar year, daily passes are cheaper. Daily passes are $8 for Wisconsin vehicles or $11 for out of state vehicles.
Devil’s Lake State Park does charge a higher admission rate, which is worth it in our opinion. Daily passes for Devil’s Lake are $13 for Wisconsin vehicles and $16 for out of state vehicles.
What to Pack
While you may think that parks near Madison would have good cell service, several of them do not. So you’ll want a way to navigate without service. Either download the Google map of the area or get a free Wisconsin state map at any visitor’s center or rest stop along the highway.
Once you can navigate, make sure to pack appropriate clothing for the weather. In Wisconsin, we layer our clothes. So lightweight clothes that can be shed as you warm up are a good idea any time of year.
While all of these trails are well trodden, they aren’t always well groomed. So depending on the park and the time of year, you may be wandering through muddy or uneven trails. Having hiking shoes is a good idea, but it isn’t necessary. If you don’t wear hiking shoes, trail running shoes are a good alternative.
Make sure to also bring your own water bottle or hydration pack. Most of these State Parks near Madison have at least one water spigot in the park, typically near the entrance of the campsite. So you’ll need to fill up at these and carry your water into the heart of the park with you.
We hope this list of parks near Madison has helped you to find the best park for your future plans. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below.
