University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum offers a unique blend of diverse natural biomes, including expansive prairies, cool pine forests, and shoreline access to Lake Wingra. It stands out as a prime location for wildlife observation, with reported sightings of deer, squirrels, turkey, coyote, and a variety of insects and dragonflies. Its well-marked, wide, and easy-to-follow trails make it an accessible and relaxing destination for nature walks and gentle hikes, especially valuing its policy of prohibiting dogs to enhance the natural experience.
Key Highlights
- ✓Features diverse natural biomes, including magical prairies, cool pine forests, and a pond with varied colorful dragonflies.
- ✓Excellent opportunities for spotting abundant local wildlife, such as deer, squirrels, turkey, and coyote, enhanced by the 'no dogs' policy.
- ✓Trails are consistently described as well-marked, wide, and easy to follow, making them suitable for various activity levels.
- ✓Provides beautiful scenic views, particularly stunning sunsets over Lake Wingra.
- ✓Pine areas offer a naturally cool environment, making it a comfortable spot even on hot summer days.
- ✓Ample parking facilities are available, though capacity can be a concern on peak days.
Standout Features
- ⭐Diverse biomes providing varied natural exploration opportunities within one park.
- ⭐Clear signage and consistently well-maintained paths for easy navigation.
- ⭐Exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing due to the dog-free environment.
- ⭐Stunning sunset views over Lake Wingra.
- ⭐Areas of cool pine forests that offer respite on hot days.
- ⭐Ample parking provided in multiple marked areas.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Do not bring dogs, as they are not permitted on any trails.
- →Plan your visit for weekdays to avoid significant crowds and parking difficulties.
- →If visiting on a Sunday, arrive early in the day to secure a parking spot.
- →Check the visitor center's operating hours (closes at 4 pm) if you plan to utilize its services.
- →Wear appropriate footwear, especially if the weather has been wet, as trails can be muddy.
- →Be aware of and share paths with other pedestrians and bikers.
- →Consider bringing binoculars for enhanced wildlife and bird watching.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Dogs are strictly not allowed on the trails, which is a significant drawback for families wishing to bring their pets.
- ⚠Trails can become muddy in several areas if the ground is not frozen, requiring appropriate footwear.
- ⚠The Arboretum gets very crowded on weekends, especially Sundays, impacting the tranquility and parking availability.
- ⚠Parking fills up quickly on Sundays, suggesting early arrival is necessary on these days.
- ⚠The visitor center closes relatively early, at 4 pm, which may limit access to facilities or information for late afternoon visitors.
- ⚠There is a 'long drive in to the visitors center,' implying main facilities might be a distance from initial entry points.
Price & Value
Entry to the Arboretum appears to be free, as no fees were mentioned in any reviews. This offers exceptional value for access to an extensive, well-maintained natural space with diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Trails are described as 'wide and easy to follow,' which may accommodate strollers or some wheelchairs, but specific ADA compliance is not mentioned.
- •The 'long drive in to the visitors center' might pose a challenge for individuals with limited mobility needing direct access to various sections.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food policy or on-site food vendors were mentioned. Visitors likely bring their own snacks or picnic supplies if desired.
🚗Parking Info
- •Ample parking is provided across several marked parking areas.
- •Parking fills quickly on Sundays, indicating potential difficulty finding a spot during peak times.
- •There's a 'long drive in to the visitors center,' suggesting parking options might be spread out.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Very crowded on weekends.
- •Parking gets filled quickly on Sundays.
- •Implied to be quieter on weekdays, offering a more peaceful experience.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Trails are well marked and signs are present, aiding in navigation.
- •General awareness advised for pedestrians and bikers on shared paths ('drive carefully').
- •No explicit mention of dedicated staff patrols, first aid stations, or specific child safety protocols beyond general park management.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with dogs, as they are prohibited on the trails.
- • Weekends, especially Sundays, if you dislike crowds or are concerned about parking availability.
- • Late afternoon visits if you rely on visitor center services, due to its 4 pm closing time.
- • If seeking playground equipment or active, structured kid entertainment (this is a nature preserve).
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Nature/Culture Walk: Black Walnut Tree Collectives
Monday, September 29 – Saturday, October 4 (daily)
Free (registration required by September 25 via Eventbrite)
Join artist, visual cultures scholar, and 2024 Arboretum Research Fellow M Hamilton for a nature/cultural walking conversation about black walnut tree collectives. The walk will take place entirely on paved routes. Meet at the Arboretum’s west entrance. Space is limited.
Ecological Restoration Work Party (Wingra Oak Savanna)
Saturday, October 4; Saturday, November 1
Free
Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m.
Family Nature Walk
Sunday, October 5
Free (no registration required)
A fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Meet at the Visitor Center. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions.
Ecological Restoration Work Party (Core Area and Curtis Prairie)
Saturday, October 11; Saturday, October 25; Saturday, November 8; Saturday, November 22
Free
Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m.
Conifers Garden Tour
Saturday, October 11
Free (no registration required)
Join Neil Schmidt, garden horticultural specialist, for a ramble through the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ pinetum – the largest and most diverse conifer collection in the state. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Nature Hike
Sunday, October 12; Sunday, November 9
Free (no registration required)
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, this walk may cover sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Meet at the Visitor Center. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions.
Ecological Restoration Work Party (Grady Tract)
Saturday, October 18; Saturday, November 15
Free
Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m.
Fall Color Garden Tour
Saturday, October 18
Free (advance registration required, opens September 1, closes October 14 or when full via Eventbrite)
Join David Stevens, garden curator, for a vibrant stroll through Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, where he will highlight sensational seasonal colors and share the science behind this natural phenomenon. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Family Nature Program: Rocks Rock!
Sunday, October 19
Free (no registration required)
A fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented in conjunction with Wisconsin Science Festival.
Class: Mindfulness in Nature – Body Movement and Awareness
Saturday, October 25 (Monthly series runs through October)
$10 (register by October 21)
Mindfulness helps reduce stress and improve physical and mental health using a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. Uses nature for all practices. No experience needed. Outdoor class. Instructor: Roger Reynolds. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Touring the Lost City
Sunday, October 26; Sunday, November 2
Free (advance registration required, opens October 1, closes October 22/29 or when full via Eventbrite)
Hike to the site of the failed 'Venice of the North' subdivision, Lake Forest, discovering construction remnants. Tour entails stepping over obstacles. Space is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Class: All About Owls
Saturday, November 1
$20 (register by October 28) - CLASS IS FULL
Learn about Wisconsin’s twelve owl species, focusing on the three that nest in Madison, and how to identify these elusive birds of prey. Indoor class. Instructor: Sylvia Marek. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Class: Effigy Mounds of Southern Wisconsin
Saturday, November 8
$30 (register by November 4)
Learn about the earthen mounds built by Native people in southern Wisconsin, the people who created them, and their environment. Indoor class, with optional outdoor walk if weather permits. Instructor: Paul Borowsky. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Family Nature Program: Patterns in Nature
Sunday, November 16
Free (no registration required)
A fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Meet at the Visitor Center. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions.
Class: History of the Arboretum’s Lost City
Saturday, November 22
$20 (register by November 18)
Explore the history and mysteries of the failed Lake Forest development project and the land that became part of the Arboretum. Indoor class. Instructor: Kathy Miner. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Nature Walk: The CCC and the Arboretum
Sunday, November 23
Free (no registration required)
Learn how the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) contributed to the restoration of native Wisconsin ecosystems and walk through the landscape they helped create. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Visitor Center closed (Thanksgiving Day)
Thursday, November 27
N/A
The Visitor Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Arboretum grounds remain open.
Scenic Stroll
Sunday, November 30
Free (no registration required)
This gently paced walk explores ecological communities near the Visitor Center. Themes may include the land, plants, animals, other organisms, phenology, and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Meet at the Visitor Center. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions.
🍎Food Policy
- • Picnics are not allowed.
- • Foraging is not allowed.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Outdoor public walks are subject to cancellation due to weather conditions: 10 degrees Fahrenheit or less with a wind chill factor; excessively snowy, icy, or muddy conditions; thunderstorms; a heat index above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; air quality index above 200.
- • Walks/Hikes are canceled for unsafe conditions.
- • Participants are advised to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects.
- • Stay on trails to protect wildlife and ecological communities.
- • For safety reasons, hazard trees are removed.
- • Prescribed fires are conducted with extensive training, experienced crew, full safety equipment, and permits.
- • Call UW–Madison Police & Security for non-emergency situations: (608) 262-2957.
- • In case of emergency dial 911.
📅Booking Policy
- • Most events require no registration, unless otherwise noted.
- • Registration for specific events is done through Eventbrite (uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com) by specified dates or until full.
- • Groups are welcome for Ecological Restoration Work Parties with advance notice.
- • Private group tours for adults, school, and youth groups can be scheduled; request forms available on adult groups and school and youth groups pages.
- • Event capacity is limited for some activities; early arrival or registration is advised.
🚗Parking Information
- • Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. (for Wingra Oak Savanna work parties).
- • Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. (for Grady Tract work parties).
- • Main parking lot (location of winter port-a-potty).
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Victoria Vercellotti
2 months agoGorgeous greenspace in a cool area of town! Stumbled upon a beautiful sunset on Lake Wingra while heading to Monroe Street. Small wooded paths invited me to enjoy the sky melting over this little shoreline. The sunset was so beautiful here that I got brave and walked on the ice for the first time as a newcomer to Wisconsin. It was so calm and still out on the ice :D One thing to keep in mind is that dogs are not allowed on the trails here, which is a bummer. Otherwise absolutely worth the visit, especially with ample parking provided. Thank you for the amazing green space and unforgettable first ice walk, UW-M!
Fic T
a week agoSo relaxing. My favorite place to chill out or go for a scenic hike.
Paul and Lillian Bruns
a year agoWe came here to hike on a Thursday in January. The trails were well marked even with a touch of snow, wide and easy to follow. If the ground wasn't frozen it would have been muddy in a few areas. There was a long drive in to the visitors center, but several marked parking areas. We enjoyed walking through several small biomes within the park. Each was diverse. We saw deer, squirrels, turkey, and even a coyote. Dogs are not permitted which really helps with being able to spot and enjoy local wildlife.
Amaranth Tupelo
2 years agoIncredible arboretum. Walking through the prairies was absolutely magical. So many beautiful flowers, grasses, and insects. The colors were incredible, the paths were nice to follow, and there were good signs around. The pond had such an amazing variety of colorful dragonflies. I would come here again in a heartbeat and explore more of it. So nice on a summer day. Walking through the pines was nice and cool even though it was a pretty hot day.
Priyojit Ganguly (PG)
a year agoGreat trails and hiking place. Very crowded on weekends. Parking gets filled quickly on Sundays. Lot of pedestrian and bikers drive carefully and also the visitor center closes at 4 pm.
Contact Information
1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
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