Dane County Free Fun Weekend
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media release: Dane County and city of Madison Parks are offering a permit-free weekend Saturday and Sunday, January 20 and 21, 2024. Winter activities that normally require a permit will be free so Dane County Park visitors can try out new recreation options.
“Dane County offers a variety of options for outdoor recreation opportunities during the winter months,” said County Executive Joe Parisi. “We encourage everyone to make the most of this free permit weekend. From winter hiking and snowshoeing to ice fishing and cross-country skiing, there are many activities residents can take part in to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with friends and family.”
Dane County residents and visitors can explore the following recreation options for free January 20 and 21:
Dog Parks: The Dane County Park system has eight off-leash dog parks, totaling 268 acres, each with its own unique features and terrain. All dogs must be legally licensed with their municipality, vaccinated and follow all dog park rules.
Biking & Mountain Biking: Dane County has over 100 miles of shared-use bike trails that connect communities, parks and natural resource areas. We offer single-track mountain bike trails at three locations throughout the year (including winter).
Lake Access: Dane County lakes offer abundant opportunities for ice fishing. There are several lake access sites where you can park to easily access the ice. This weekend is also the Wisconsin DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend so it’s a great opportunity to try ice fishing.
Cross-country Skiing: The Dane County Park system has several parks with groomed cross-country ski trails. Trails will be groomed if there is at least four inches of snow and consistent freezing temperatures. If we get sufficient snow, the trails will be opened and groomed for the weekend. Trail status can be found on our Trail Conditions webpage: https://www.danecountyparks.
Other activities that never require a permit:
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking: Snowshoeing and winter hiking are allowed on or off-trail at all Dane County Park properties except on designated cross-country ski trails when snow is present, even if they have not yet been groomed. Some parks have signed snowshoe trails to help with navigation.
Sledding: The Dane County Park System has four parks with public sledding hills. These range from short and gentle slopes that are great for younger kids to a steeper hill. For your safety, and to uphold the quality of our landscapes, please do not use the sledding hills without sufficient snow base.
The Dane County Park System does not require an entry fee and is always free to visit. Some activities require a permit and the fees help maintain amenities for those activities. If you try out a permitted activity this weekend and enjoy it, you can purchase a daily or annual pass online from www.reservedane.com.
For more information, please visit the Winter Recreation page www.danecountyparks.com/winter
More from Madison Parks:
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI
Madison Parks offers seven designated ski trails, with three requiring a ski permit. All ski trails are now open. Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills, which typically require a permit, are groomed several times per week, as conditions allow. Try one of these locations for free this weekend only. Free-to-use sites include Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – South, Owen and Turville Point conservation parks. See Cross-Country Ski for the latest grooming dates.
DISC GOLF
Try out disc golf in the winter! Hiestand Park disc golf course is open for winter play, as conditions allow. If you have a Madison Public Library card, you can check out disc golf too! Please note, the course may periodically close in the future as the snow melts. Look for more information and updates on the Disc Golf website.
DOGS IN PARKS
In addition to nine off-leash dog parks, a dog permit is required for all leashed dogs in parks where allowed. Check out Dogs in Parks for more information.
WINTER FUN IN MADISON PARKS THIS WEEKEND
ELVER PARK
The staffed warming shelter at Elver Park is open Wednesdays through Sundays, as conditions allow. This location offers rentals for classic skis, sleds, snowshoes and ice skates when the rinks are open.
This weekend’s hours at Elver Park:
- Friday, January 19: 4-8pm
- Saturday, January 20: 12-8pm
- Sunday, January 21: 12-6pm
ICE SKATING
In case you didn't know, Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas before snow or ice grooming begins. These priority areas are roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. As we finish cleaning up from last week’s snowstorms, Parks crews are working to open a few of the ice rinks this week. Know before you go -- please check Ice Rinks before heading out.
FREE EVENTS & MORE
Groove & Glide Groove & Glide events are scheduled on Friday evenings throughout the short winter season. Although we rescheduled last week’s event, we are planning to host the first Groove & Glide of the season at Elver Park on Friday, January 19, 6-8pm.
Bird & Nature Adventures | Sledding at Olbrich Park Join Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner and Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family-friendly sledding party and nature walk on Saturday, January 20. Some sleds will be provided or bring your own.
Candlelight Snowshoe Walk Join Madison Parks & partners on Saturday, January 20, 6-8pm at Warner Park!
Winter Clothing Drive Donate your new and gently used winter clothing through Sunday, January 28! Madison Parks, in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul - Madison, is collecting winter clothing at select locations, including Madison Parks Lakeside Offices, 330 E. Lakeside St.
Madison Parks is a division of the City of Madison with 280+ parks and nearly 6,000 acres to explore through hiking, golfing, swimming, skating, skiing and more! Explore MADISON PARKS.
For more information, please visit Winter Fun in Madison Parks at cityofmadison.com/parks/
This permit-free weekend is offered in collaboration with Dane County Parks. Visit Dane County Parks Winter Recreation for more information.
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