Things to do with kids in Madison, WI

Devil's Lake State Park

Iconic state park with hiking trails, rock formations, and a large lake with sandy beaches.

4.8 (13282)$Baraboo, WI

💬 1 local tip

Cave of the Mounds

Guided walking tours through a limestone cave system with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

4.7 (5220)$$Blue Mounds, WI

💬 3 local tips

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Beautiful gardens with a tropical conservatory and a dedicated children's garden area.

4.8 (5154)$Madison, WI

💬 16 local tips

Lake Kegonsa State Park

State park with hiking trails, a beach for swimming, and picnic areas.

4.4 (1102)$Stoughton, WI

Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Expansive nature preserve with diverse trails for hiking and biking through woods and prairies.

4.8 (986)FreeMiddleton, WI

💬 4 local tips

Token Creek County Park

Large park with walking trails, equestrian paths, and open space for outdoor recreation.

4.6 (895)FreeDeForest, WI

💬 1 local tip

Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

Scenic natural area featuring a challenging hike to a rocky bluff with panoramic views.

4.9 (829)FreeLodi, WI

Indian Lake County Park

Large park with diverse trails, a historic chapel, and space for winter activities.

4.8 (738)FreeCross Plains, WI

Picnic Point

Scenic peninsula on Lake Mendota with walking trails and beautiful views of the city.

4.8 (669)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum

1,200 acres of diverse habitats including prairies, forests, and wetlands with miles of walking trails.

4.9 (444)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Prairie Moraine County Park

Rolling park with scenic trails and a large off-leash dog area.

4.8 (442)FreeVerona, WI

Allen Centennial Garden

Beautiful, formal botanical garden on the UW campus, open to the public.

4.8 (416)FreeMadison, WI

Stewart Lake County Park

Park featuring a small lake, picnic areas, and walking trails.

4.6 (366)FreeMt Horeb, WI

Hoyt Park

Wooded park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views.

4.6 (365)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Donald County Park

Expansive park with wooded trails, trout streams, and scenic landscapes.

4.8 (362)FreeMt Horeb, WI

Owen Conservation Park

Large nature preserve with miles of hiking trails through woods and prairies, great for birdwatching and family walks.

4.7 (341)FreeMadison, WI

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North

Expansive wetlands and prairie trails with a boardwalk, perfect for spotting wildlife and easy family hikes.

4.7 (318)FreeMadison, WI

Capital Springs Recreation Area

Large recreation area with trails, camping, and a pond for outdoor activities.

4.6 (314)FreeMadison, WI

Brigham County Park

Scenic county park with picnic areas, hiking trails, and camping facilities.

4.7 (283)FreeBlue Mounds, WI

💬 1 local tip

Raymer's Cove

Scenic wooded area with trails leading down to Lake Mendota, offering beautiful views and a quiet nature escape.

4.8 (241)FreeMadison, WI

Stricker's Pond

A peaceful neighborhood conservation area with a walking path around the pond, ideal for a quick family stroll.

4.7 (182)FreeMadison, WI

Brooklyn Wildlife Area

Expansive natural area featuring marshes, prairies, and hiking trails for outdoor exploration.

4.6 (173)FreeBelleville, WI

Quarry Ridge Recreation Area

Public park offering diverse hiking and mountain biking trails with picnic areas.

4.8 (165)FreeFitchburg, WI

McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park

Large county park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and space for outdoor exploration.

4.7 (158)FreeCottage Grove, WI

💬 1 local tip

Edna Taylor Conservation Park

Wooded park with a trail connecting to Aldo Leopold Nature Center, featuring diverse habitats and easy walking paths.

4.6 (148)FreeMadison, WI

Ice Age Trail Junction Area

A scenic segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail offering wooded hiking paths.

4.7 (136)FreeVerona, WI

💬 1 local tip

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South

A smaller section of the marsh system offering quiet trails and access to the river and wetlands.

4.6 (132)FreeMadison, WI

Goose Lake Drumlins State Natural Area

Scenic natural area featuring unique glacial drumlin landscapes and quiet hiking trails.

4.3 (119)FreeDeerfield, WI

Schumacher Farm Park

Historic farm park with walking trails, restored prairie, and educational exhibits on rural life.

4.7 (108)FreeWaunakee, WI

Turville Point Conservation Park

Lakeside park with miles of trails through oak woods, offering great views of the Capitol and Lake Monona.

4.6 (96)FreeMadison, WI

Jenni & Kyle Preserve

Nature preserve with accessible trails and scenic areas for family walks.

4.4 (87)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

University of Wisconsin - Botany Garden

Educational garden featuring diverse plant species, great for a quiet walk.

4.6 (77)FreeMadison, WI

Cross Plains State Park

State park offering scenic hiking trails through rolling hills and wooded areas.

4.5 (72)FreeCross Plains, WI

Capital Springs State Recreation Area

Natural area with accessible hiking trails, fishing ponds, and picnic shelters.

4.7 (65)FreeMadison, WI

Lussier Family Heritage Center

Nature-focused center offering educational programs and access to surrounding parklands.

4.8 (64)$Madison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area

Quiet, wooded natural area featuring trails through mature oak forests.

4.7 (58)FreeVerona, WI

UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve

Expansive natural area along Lake Mendota with wooded trails and shoreline access.

4.7 (57)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Nevin Springs Fish and Wildlife Area

Natural area with spring-fed streams and trails, perfect for quiet nature walks and observing local wildlife.

4.6 (56)FreeFitchburg, WI

Kettle Pond Conservation Park

Small, quiet conservation park featuring a kettle pond and short walking trails through restored prairie.

4.6 (55)FreeMadison, WI

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Nature center with hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and hiking trails for families.

4.8 (55)$$Monona, WI

💬 5 local tips

Sandburg Woods

Wooded conservation area with trails suitable for hiking and snowshoeing, offering a quick escape into nature.

4.2 (54)FreeMadison, WI

Bethel Horizons Camp & Retreat Center

Outdoor retreat center offering nature-based programming, hiking, and youth camp experiences.

4.9 (47)$$Dodgeville, WI

💬 3 local tips

Governors Island

A small, scenic island in Lake Mendota accessible by a causeway, offering walking paths and lake views.

4.8 (34)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center

UW-Madison outdoor learning center providing environmental education and nature-based field trips.

4.3 (32)$$Wisconsin Dells, WI

💬 2 local tips

Knollwood Conservation Park

A small, wooded neighborhood park with walking paths, ideal for a short family nature walk.

4.6 (32)FreeMadison, WI

Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Nature preserve featuring trails for hiking and observing local wildlife and wetlands.

4.9 (30)FreeVerona, WI

Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area

Expansive nature area with trails for hiking, bird watching, and exploring local wetlands.

4.9 (25)FreeWaunakee, WI

Prairie Ridge Conservation Park

Restored prairie park with walking trails, providing a nice open space for family exploration.

4.6 (25)FreeMadison, WI

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - Mendota

A quiet access point to the Cherokee Marsh system, offering trails and views of the wetlands.

4.3 (24)FreeMadison, WI

Meadow Ridge Conservation Park

Small conservation area with walking trails through prairie and woods, great for a quick nature break.

4.4 (17)FreeMadison, WI