Madison and its lakefront

Outdoors

Snow play and winter sports near Madison

Places near Madison for sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter sports when there’s snow.

5places for snow and winter sports
31 mito the closest

Good to know: Carry tire chains in winter, check road and avalanche conditions, and expect parking or Sno-Park permits at popular spots.

Closest picks

1

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.

2

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.

3

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

78 mi northwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

The prehistoric lands that make up Necedah National Wildlife Refuge sat at the bottom of Glacial Lake Wisconsin more than 18,000 years ago.

Map of all 5 places

Map of 5 places loads as you scroll.

30 to 75 miles (2)

31 mi north · Fish and Wildlife Service

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

52 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service

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

75 miles and farther (3)

78 mi northwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

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

127 mi northwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

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

131 mi northwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

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.

Get outside around Madison

Around Madison

American Parkway ^ Eastpark Boulevard, Madison
American Parkway ^ Eastpark BoulevardCorey Coyle · CC BY 3.0
Sunset Over Madison
Sunset Over Madison (2)Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0
ARA of Madison
ARA of MadisonCorey Coyle · CC BY 3.0

More outdoors near Madison

Questions

Where is the closest place for snow play 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 Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (78 mi).

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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