A century ago, a busy stone quarry was active in an area that’s now a quiet Madison neighborhood. The quarry is long closed and for decades it has been a tranquil Madison park called Hoyt Park. The park’s stone outcrops contain some ancient fossils and if you have a good eye, you can spot some on a stroll here. That’s just the start of why this park is one of Madison’s hidden gems. Here’s what you need to know about Madison’s Hoyt Park.

Hoyt Park is located about three miles west of the state Capitol, and about a mile south of UW Hospital and Clinics. It’s not as well known as some of the city’s other parks, but it’s worth seeking out.
Google / Vinita Elkhair
The sandstone and dolomite quarry here was active in the 1800s. Some of the stone was used for buildings in the nearby University of Wisconsin campus, and some was also used to make Madison’s city streets. The city of Madison acquired the property for a park in 1890.
Google / Vinita Elkhair
The park has some interesting features There are a dozen stone outdoor fireplaces, some stone tables, and other stone structures. They were built by unemployed Italian stonemasons during the Great Depression. There’s also an unusual stone pyramid that’s just waiting to be discovered.
Google / Jody Schultz

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A one-mile trail will take you into and around the old quarry. It’s a mixture of paved and unpaved surfaces, and it’s easy terrain to navigate.
Facebook / Friends of Hoyt Park
You’ll pass some of the stone walls of the old quarry. Geologic surveys have identified fossils in the quarry’s stone – if you look closely you may spot some, but don’t damage any of the park’s stone or rock formations.
Google / Vinita Elkhair
The park covers 24 acres and includes both prairie and forest habitat. It’s an official City of Madison landmark.
Google / Chrissy Rea

Hoyt Park is open daily, from 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. If you don’t feel like looking for fossils, the park also has a basketball court, a softball field, and a clearing suitable for soccer, football, or Frisbee. Or, just relax and take in the park’s tranquil beauty.

If you love the outdoors, Wisconsin is home to thousands of miles of gorgeous trails and some of them are simply indescribable.

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Hoyt Park, Madison, WI 53705, USA