Leopold Wetland Management District
31 mi north · Fish and Wildlife Service
Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America.
Outdoors
Hiking near Madison
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Madison, closest first.
10places to hike
31 mito the closest
April–June, August–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
52 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
64 mi north · National Park Service
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes.
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30 to 75 miles (4)
Leopold Wetland Management District
Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
75 miles and farther (6)
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
The prehistoric lands that make up Necedah National Wildlife Refuge sat at the bottom of Glacial Lake Wisconsin more than 18,000 years ago.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Thomson Causeway
Thomson Causeway provides the unique experience of island camping on the great Mississippi River and it's well worth a try!
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Two federally listed endangered species, the Iowa Pleistocene snail and northern monkshood, are found on the refuge.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Effigy Mounds National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1936, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Bordered by steep wooded bluffs that rise 100 to 600 feet above the river valley, the Mississippi River corridor and refuge offer scenic beauty and productive fish and wildlife habitat unmatched in the heart of America.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Madison. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Madison?
Leopold Wetland Management District (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 31 miles north of Madison as the crow flies. Next are Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (52 mi) and Ice Age National Scenic Trail (64 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Madison?
Based on Madison’s average highs, April–June, August–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.