Dog Days of Summer

Get outdoors this holiday weekend!

Hello! My name is Bellini. My mom works at Sprinkman Design Collective! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite places around Madison to take a walk with your furpals and hoomans this summer. Wishing you all of the tail-wagging fun!

1. Prairie Moraine Dog Park
   This is where I go the most – because it’s OFF LEASH! It has a couple miles of trail loop with one pretty big hill that makes my pawrents very tired. There are some very pretty views with benches to take a breather, too!
   >> 1970 County Rd Pb, Verona, WI 53593
   
2. Donald Park
   We’ve been to Donald Park twice and still haven’t seen all of it! There are many trails to choose from – from serious uphill hikes to flat open prairie land. There is a beautiful little creek here to walk along with fresh, clear water for us pups to drink from, too! Sometimes, you may even see a horse or two! A warning to the hoomans – be sure to bring something to transport our poop. They don’t have any garbage cans here.
   >> 945 WI-92 Trunk, Mt Horeb, WI 53572
   
3.  Picnic Point
   This walk leads you out into Lake Mendota for the perfect view of the capitol across the water! It is a fairly easy 2 mi walk, with areas on sand along the water, on grass within tall greenery, and through the woods with paved paths!
   >> University of Wisconsin Madison, 2000 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705
   
4. Pheasant Branch Conservancy
   This place is super fun. You can see the Capitol building, downtown Madison skyline, and Lake Mendota! My favorite was the windy boardwalk through the tall grass and wetlands.
   >> 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd, Middleton, WI 53562
   
5. Badfish Creek State Wildlife Area
   Because it’s in a pretty remote part of town, it’s always very quiet. Mom and Dad let me off leash here, too (sometimes they break the rules when it’s safe), and it follows a beautiful creek. Walk to the bridge on one side, and walk back on the other for a 2mi flat hike.
   >> Old Stone Rd, Madison, WI 53711
   
6. Epic
   My dad works here. If you haven’t been to visit, go go go! The grounds are pristine, and you can walk furever. There’s a lot of neat things to explore and fun stuff to see. There’s even a couple of shallow ponds (one with a small beach!) for doggies to swim and drink from. Note: Pups are only allowed on the weekends!
   >> 1979 Milky Way, Verona, WI 53593
   
7. Warner Dog Park
   Trails here lead to open grass, trees, and a lake to swim in! It is off leash, so it’s the perfect giant area for us pups for frisbee, ball chasing, and running around.
   >> 2930 N. Sherman Ave. Madison, WI 53704
   
8. Devil’s Lake State Park
   My mom and dad take me here once a year and then sleep for a full day after. It’s the best place ever and totally worth the trip outside of Madison. Walking around the lake on the bluff trails will be over 7 mi, and it is the most challenging hike we do! Lots of uphill climbs, steep cliffs, and rocky terrain – so bring your hiking shoes! But the views and the beach to swim at mid-way through make all of the hard work and sweat totally worth it. My favorite part is when we break for lunch and I get to eat a peanut butter and bacon sandwich.
   >> S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
   
9. Pheasant Branch Trail
   This paved path connects up all through Middleton and is a good place to see other people and their pups! My pawrents park in the parking lot for Hurtz Donuts, walk over the bridge on Parmenter, and access the path from there. Lots of pretty water to see and bridges to walk over here, and it connects up to the Middleton neighborhoods.
   
10. Governor Nelson State Park
    Over 8 miles of trails means it’s a good way for a long walk! This place is very pretty and has mainly natural grassy paths, so be sure your hoomans bring sunscreen and insect repellant, and be sure you are up-to-date on your tick prevention!
    >> 5140 County Highway M, Waunakee, WI 53597
    
11. Badger Prairie County Park
    This fun spot has two off-leash dog parks. One is for small dogs, and the other for bigger dogs takes you in through an easy, flat large loop. When you’re leashed back up, take a walk through the hilly, wide open fields adjacent to the park that seem to go on furever and ever.See Less
    >> 4654 Maple Grove Dr, Verona, WI 53593
    
12. Viking County Park
    On the opposite side of town from my Middleton home is this super cool park that has shaded trails, sunny trails, two doggy beaches on the Yahara River, AND wide open space to run and chase! All of it is off leash – so it’s perfect for partying like only a pup can.
    >> 2525 County Hwy B, Stoughton, WI 53589
    
13. Capital City Trail
    My pawrents and I access this trail from the back of Rosecommons Park in Fitchburg, but there are many entry points since it’s 17 miles long! These paved paths wind beneath trees and through neighborhoods, which is a great mix of scenery.
    >> Here’s a Map!
    
14. McKee Farms Park
    An entirely paved short loop through a beautiful park makes an easy walk for you and your pup! Parking is plentiful, and there is even a giant playground for your non-furry children!
    >> 2930 Chapel Valley Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53711
    
15. Indian Lake National Scenic Trail
    This place is probably my family’s favorite. There is a ginormous off-leash field for us furballs to run free, and leashed trails through the woods for a real adventure. Get ready to pant with your pup, there are several steep climbs – but the peacefulness of the forest is worth it! For an extra workout, check out the chapel from 1857 on the tippy top of the park. At the end of the hike, lick up a cool drink from the pretty lake.
    >> 8381 State Highway 19 Cross Plains, WI 53528