This guide to 60 of the best hikes in the Madison area leads you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings.

Kevin Revolinski's love for the outdoors came from frequent childhood fishing trips and hikes with his father in the woods of northern Wisconsin. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales of an American Teacher in Turkey, Wisconsin's Best Beer Guide: A Travel Companion (also Michigan and Minnesota versions), and Backroads and Byways of Wisconsin. He is coauthor of Best Tent Camping: Wisconsin. He has written for Rough Guides guidebooks, and his articles and photography have appeared in a variety of publications, including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Wisconsin Trails, and the Miami Herald. He has lived abroad in several places, including Turkey, Italy, Guatemala, Panama, and Thailand, but he currently makes camp back in the homeland in Madison, Wisconsin.

Overview Map

Map Legend

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Preface

60 Hikes by Category

Introduction

Madison Metro

• Arboretum: Greene Prairie


• Arboretum: Wingra Marsh


• Arboretum: Wingra Woods


• Capital Springs State Recreation Area: Lewis Nine Springs E-Way Trail


• Capital Springs State Recreation Area: Lower Yahara River Trail


• Cherokee Marsh North


• Cherokee Marsh South


• Edna Taylor Conservation Park (with Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Woodland Park)


• Elver Park


• MMSD Wildlife Observation Area: Lagoons Trails


• Olin Park and Turville Point Conservation Park


• Owen Conservation Park


• Pheasant Branch Conservancy (with Pheasant Branch Creek Trail)


• Picnic Point


• Pope Farm Park


• Tenney Park to Schenk's Corners


• Token Creek County Park


• Tom George Greenway

Northwest

• Black Hawk Unit: Lower Wisconsin State Riverway


• Devil's Lake State Park: East Bluff


• Devil's Lake State Park: West Bluff


• Ferry Bluff State Natural Area


• Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area


• Governor Nelson State Park


• Ice Age Trail: Cross Plains Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Devil's Lake Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Fern Glen Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Gibraltar Rock Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Lodi Marsh Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Table Bluff Segment


• Indian Lake County Park


• Mirror Lake State Park


• Natural Bridge State Park


• Rocky Arbor State Park


• Rowan Creek Trail


• Swan Lake State Wildlife Area

Southwest

• Blue Mound State Park


• Donald County Park


• Governor Dodge State Park: Lost Canyon and Beyond


• Governor Dodge State Park: White Oak Trail


• Ice Age Trail: Brooklyn Wildlife Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Montrose Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Verona Segment


• Magnolia Bluff Park


• New Glarus Woods State Park


• Stewart County Park


• Yellowstone Lake State Park

Northeast

• Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area


• Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

Southeast

• Aztalan State Park


• Badfish Creek State Wildlife Area


• CamRock Park: Area 2


• Glacial Drumlin State Trail


• Ice Age Trail: Devil's Staircase Segment


• Ice Age Trail: Whitewater Lake Segment


• Kettle Moraine State Forest: John Muir Trail


• Kettle Moraine State Forest: Lapham Peak Unit


• Kettle Moraine State Forest: Nordic Trails


• Kettle Moraine State Forest: Scuppernong Trail


• Lake Kegonsa State Park

Appendix A: Outdoors Stores

Appendix B: Hiking Clubs

Index

About the Author