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What are Some Outdoor Activities in Madison, Wisconsin?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Madison is Wisconsin's capital city. Many of the outdoor activities in Madison take place around lakes such as Monona, Mendota, Yellowstone, Blackhawk and Wingra. There are over 200 parks in and around Madison, most of them surrounding the lakes, and outdoor activities are often available year round.

Yellowstone Lake State Park has some year-round campsites, and many people enjoy fishing at this park. Along with regular lake fishing for walleye, crappies, muskies, northerns and blue gill, ice fishing is often done here in the winter months. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are other popular outdoor winter sports. The park is known for offering summer nature programs as well as for having hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty.

Hiking trails provide fun and exercise.
Hiking trails provide fun and exercise.

Tenney Park at Lake Mendota also has year-round outdoor activities. The beaches offer areas for swimming in the summer and outdoor skating is usually allowed on the lagoon in the winter. Tenney Park is also known for its pleasant landscaping and for walking, bicycling and rollerblading.

Villas Park, one of the oldest parks in Madison, is known for bird watching for species such as blue herons. It also has areas for tennis and baseball. Fishing and swimming in Lake Wingra are popular water activities at the park. Lakeside jogging is another popular activity here.

Hiking is a healthy activity.
Hiking is a healthy activity.

Cave of the Mounds, in Dane County, offers some unique outdoor activities in Madison, such as digging for fossils and searching for gemstones. The cave was opened by a mining quarry in 1939 and beautiful crystallized rock formations were found inside. Cave of the Mounds is a National Natural Landmark and is considered important to the area's geography.

Jogging is a popular activity in Madison.
Jogging is a popular activity in Madison.

Blackhawk Ridge offers hikers trails that overlook the Wisconsin River valley. The Blackhawk Lake recreation area has boating, fishing and camping facilities. Perch, bass and walleye are some of the common fish found in Blackhawk Lake. Other activities available at this recreation area include seasonal sports such as beach volleyball and cross-country skiing.

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    • Hiking trails provide fun and exercise.
      By: joda
      Hiking trails provide fun and exercise.
    • Hiking is a healthy activity.
      By: BabylonDesignz
      Hiking is a healthy activity.
    • Jogging is a popular activity in Madison.
      By: Martinan
      Jogging is a popular activity in Madison.
    • There are several lakes around Madison, Wisconsin.
      By: Tomas Sereda
      There are several lakes around Madison, Wisconsin.
    • Madison is the capital of Wisconsin.
      By: soupstock
      Madison is the capital of Wisconsin.
    • Ice fishermen take to Madison's Yellowstone Lake State Park in winter.
      By: Maxim Petrichuk
      Ice fishermen take to Madison's Yellowstone Lake State Park in winter.
    • Lakeside jogging is a popular activity in Madison.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Lakeside jogging is a popular activity in Madison.