Mother-Daughter Adventure: Discovering Madison’s Best Hiking Trails During Our UW-Madison Visit
When my daughter Madison and I set out to explore the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, we had no idea that our college visit would turn into such an incredible outdoor adventure.
With over 200+ Platinum miles of trails to explore, Madison offers the perfect backdrop for our mother-daughter getaway.
From the lakeside walks to challenging hikes, these trails aren’t just about exercise – they’re where we’ve shared laughs, heart-to-hearts, and created memories that I’ll cherish long after Maddie heads off to college.
If you’re planning a visit to UW-Madison with your child or just looking for things to do in Madison while visiting your college student, I can’t recommend hitting the trails with these best hikes near Madison.
It’s a perfect way to bond, de-stress from the college application process, and see a side of Madison that goes beyond the campus tour.
As we set off on our first trail of the trip, I realized these paths are a lot like our journey together – full of twists, turns, and beautiful discoveries.
Here are some of the best hiking trails in the Madison area that we discovered during our visit:
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1. Devil’s Lake State Park
Our adventure in Madison began before we set foot on the UW campus. As soon as we arrived in town for college tours, we knew we had to experience the city’s famous outdoor activities.
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With that in mind, we headed straight to Devil’s Lake State Park, about 45 minutes northwest of the city. It was the perfect introduction to the natural beauty that surrounds Madison and one of the best places to visit.
As we pulled into the park, the towering quartzite bluffs took our breath away. We chose the East Bluff Trail for our inaugural hike, and let me tell you, it was quite the welcome to Wisconsin!
The trail was challenging, with steep inclines and rocky terrain, but the views were absolutely worth it. As we climbed higher, the sparkling blue waters of Devil’s Lake came into view, surrounded by lush forests and impressive rock formations, and it was part of the ice age trail.
You might not think Wisconsin is hot, but lord, my makeup was literally running down my face!
Our Devil’s Lake experience set the perfect tone for our college visit. It showed us that choosing UW-Madison wouldn’t just be about academics – it would be about embracing a lifestyle that values nature, physical activity, and adventure.
As we drove back to the city for our scheduled campus tour, Madison turned to me and said, “If the university is half as impressive as this park, I think I’m going to love it here.”
And in that moment, I knew this college visit was going to be about so much more than just touring buildings and sitting in on classes.
Location: About 59 miles outside of Madison.
Difficulty: Medium effort hiking & bike trail that is long | Free Park
Distance: 5.5-mile figure eight.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
2. Lakeshore Nature Preserve
Just steps away from the UW-Madison campus, the Lakeshore Nature Preserve offers a network of trails that showcase the natural beauty of Lake Mendota’s shoreline.
Take a walk along Picnic Point, a narrow peninsula jutting into the lake, you will find various bird species that you only learned about in high school biology class.
The 4.3-mile Lakeshore Path was an easy walk that offered stunning views of the lake and campus buildings in Madison
Pro tip: Enjoy a picnic at one of the scenic overlooks. It’s a great way to refuel and take in the views.
Location: City of Madison
Difficulty: Easy.
Distance: 4.5-mile figure eight.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
3. Pheasant Branch Conservancy
A short drive from campus, this preserve in nearby Middleton became our favorite spot for morning hikes. The 3.2-mile creek trail loop took us through prairies, woods, and marshland.
The hilltop overlooking the conservancy provided scenic hiking trails and a breathtaking panoramic view of Madison and the surrounding area. It was here, watching the sunrise, that Madison confessed she could really see herself calling Madison home for four years.
Location: About 7.2 miles west of Madison, outside of Mount Horeb.
Difficulty: moderately challenging and takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete
Distance: 3.9 mile loop.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
4. Ice Age National Scenic Trail
For a more challenging hike, we ventured to a segment of the Ice Age Trail near Madison. This 1,200-mile footpath traces the edge of the last continental glacier within an hour’s drive of Wisconsin.
We hiked the Table Bluff segment, which offered a moderate 3.5-mile out-and-back trail with beautiful prairie and woodland scenery.
The geological features left by ancient glaciers fascinated us both, turning our hike into an impromptu earth science lesson.
Location: About 64 miles east of Madison
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Distance: The trail is 1,200 miles long and follows the path of the last great glaciation through 28 counties.
Traffic: Light, but potentially moderate to heavy with Devil’s Lake State Park bluff areas.
Wheelchair Access: Only a shoreline portion at Devil’s Lake State Park.
Pets: Leashed dogs allowed.
5. UW Arboretum
On our last day, we explored the UW Arboretum, a vast ecological research site with over 20 miles of trails. We particularly enjoyed the 4-mile Wingra Woods loop, which took us through a variety of ecosystems including prairies, savannas, and forests.
The Curtis Prairie, known as the world’s oldest restored prairie, was a highlight. Madison was thrilled to spot some of the plant species she’d been studying for her AP Environmental Science class.
Location: 1.2 miles from Madison
Difficulty: Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 45 min to complete.
Distance: Enjoy this 5.3-mile loop trail near Madison, Wisconsin.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
6. Governor Nelson State Park
Just a short drive north of campus, this park offers several short hiking trails with beautiful views of Lake Mendota. Your family will love the 2-mile Morningside Trail on Governor’s Island, which will take you through prairie and oak savanna landscapes.
The beach at the end of the trail is a perfect spot to cool your feet and skip stones across the lake.
When hiking these trails, conversations flowed easily, from college plans to shared memories to hopes for the future.
There’s something about being in nature that opens up communication, making it easier to discuss big life changes like heading off to college,
Location: Just under 9 miles from Madison
Difficulty: Moderate difficulty
Distance: 1.8-mile loop.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: Offers an accessible fishing pier and an accessible picnic shelter near the sand beach.
Pets: Leashed dogs with off-leash pet swim areas.
7. Cherokee Marsh
Just north of Madison, Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park offers a unique wetland hiking experience. The North Unit trails offer spectacular views and a landscape of sedge meadows, wet prairies, and wooded areas.
We were amazed by the diversity of bird species we encountered – it’s a haven for birdwatchers!
The boardwalks will allow you to venture into the marsh without getting your feet wet, and the observation platforms provide stunning views of the surrounding wetlands.
Your family will be particularly excited about the restoration efforts in the marsh, as it is tied directly to majors in UW-Madison environmental science. We even spotted a few sandhill cranes, which made for a magical moment.
Location: 8.2 Miles from Madison
Distance: 1.3 mile loop.
Difficulty: Easy.
Traffic: Light
Wheelchair Access: Restrooms and some trails.
Pets: No dogs.
8. Donald County Park
Located in the Driftless Area southwest of Madison, Donald County Park surprised us with its rugged beauty.
The park’s 5 miles of hiking trails took us through restored prairies, oak savannas, and along spring-fed streams.
The Pop’s Knoll trail offered breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, and we couldn’t resist taking numerous photos to remember the moment.
We were fascinated by the park’s efforts to restore the native landscape, and Madison eagerly pointed out the different prairie plants she recognized from her studies.
Location: About 20.2 miles west of Madison
Difficulty: Moderately challenging.
Distance: 4.5-mile figure eight.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
9. Blue Mound State Park
About 30 miles west of Madison, Blue Mound State Park sits atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin. The park’s 20 miles of hiking trails offered something for every skill level.
Challenged yourselves with the steep climb of Flintrock Trail, which will reward you with panoramic views from the east and west observation towers.
Madison was thrilled to find that the park also offers mountain biking trails, adding another potential weekend activity to her college bucket list.
Location: 25 miles west of Madison via US Highway 18/151.
Difficulty: range of difficulty levels, including easy trails and more strenuous trails
Distance: 4.5-mile figure eight.
Traffic: Light.
Wheelchair Access: None.
Pets: Dogs require a daily or annual fee and must be on a leash.
Beyond the hiking trails, we found plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy in Madison.
We rented kayaks, paddled around Lake Mendota, explored the vibrant Dane County Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square, and tried stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Monona.
For those visiting UW-Madison, I highly recommend setting aside some time to explore the hiking trails around Madison.
It’s a great way to experience the area’s natural beauty and connect with your child away from the stress of college visits.
A few tips for hiking around Madison:
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, as Wisconsin weather can be unpredictable.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks.
- Download trail maps before you go, as cell service can be spotty in some areas.
- Check for tick prevention measures, especially in wooded areas.
- Consider visiting different trails in various seasons to experience the changing landscape.
- Sun Protection:
- High SPF sunscreen: To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Wide-brimmed sun hat: Shield your face, neck, and shoulders with a stylish wide-brimmed hat from direct sunlight.
- UV-protective sunglasses: Wear quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare and UV rays.
- Beachwear:
- Swimsuits: Pack a variety of swimsuits that make you feel comfortable and confident, including one-pieces, bikinis, tankinis, or caftans.
- Cover-ups: Lightweight and breathable cover-ups like maxi dresses, sarongs, or kaftans provide extra protection from the sun and are perfect for walking to and from the beach.
- Rashguard: A rashguard offers sun protection and minimizes skin irritation for water activities.
- Towels and Beach Accessories:
- Beach towels: Pack a few large, quick-drying beach towels for lounging and sunbathing.
- Beach bag: Choose a spacious beach bag to carry all your essentials, including sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, and beach toys for the kids.
- Waterproof phone pouch: Keep your phone protected from sand and water with a waterproof pouch.
Dogs
Most parks allow leashed & licensed dogs with a Dog Permit. However, dogs are prohibited in all conservation parks and a few other locations. See Dog Free Parks for more information.
Conclusion: Best Hiking Near Madison, WI
Our hiking adventures in Madison and exploring some of the most popular trails near Madison added a whole new dimension to our college visit.
From sandy beaches to rolling hills and national scenic trails, Madison offers students outdoor recreational opportunities, which was a significant factor in Madison’s decision-making process.
Whether you’re visiting UW-Madison for a campus tour, attending a college event, or just visiting your student, I encourage you to lace up your hiking boots and hit the Badger State Trail.
It’s an excellent way to explore the area, de-stress, and create lasting memories with your child during this exciting time of transition.
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