Wisconsin’s state capital city is home to a world-class university, some of the state’s best restaurants, great shopping, and awesome live entertainment. It can also be a very busy place but it’s easy to escape the downtown traffic and bustling sidewalks. Head north to an underrated park that’s a quiet oasis just out of town. It’s called Cherokee Marsh, and it’s a beautiful world just waiting to be discovered.

Cherokee Marsh is located on the north side of Madison. Some of the natural area is in the city, but the property extends into rural Dane County.
Alltrails / Jonathan Luman
The city began acquiring land for the park in 1964. Numerous land acquisitions followed, expanding the area’s public access. Part of the marsh is also managed by Dane County and part of the marsh is managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.
Alltrails / Lauren Birk
Today the park gives people a chance to get a feel for what the area was like before European settlers arrived. The marsh is absolutely wild and beautiful.
Alltrails / Hope Mahone

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The marsh is laced with miles of trails – there are networks on both sides of the marsh. The trails are used for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing, and ungroomed cross-country skiing.
Alltrails / Patrick Ackerman
The property includes sweeping grasslands and wetlands filled with cattails. There are plenty of benches if you need a rest, and there’s also an observation deck.
Alltrails / Patrick Ackerman
There’s a lot to explore in Cherokee Marsh – the marsh covers over 2,000 acres and it is home to some ancient Native American mounds, as well as areas filled with flowers that practically explode with color during the summer.
Alltrails / Hope Mahone

There’s no fee to visit Cherokee Marsh. Learn more about the underrated park, including trail information and canoe access details on the city of Madison website. If you enjoy exploring natural areas, here’s a huge park in the area that you may also want to explore.

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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, 6098 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA