Picnic Point Path

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This park is sometimes quite busy with people enjoying a nice stroll and views of the city and nature, so please be respectful when traveling through the area during a busy time.

This is quintessential Madison. Imagine the tranquility of Thoreau's Walden Pond, the excitement of a popular park with an interesting and diverse mix of people/users, great views of downtown Madison across Lake Mendota, and also views across the rest of the lake, while there are still plenty of other opportunities to feel like you're in the middle of the woods. Running here is always pleasant. Even in the dead of winter, especially after a fresh, glistening snow.

A lot of birds to be seen here, both migrating birds in the woods, nesting birds, and a lot of water fowl on Lake Mendota.