Cherokee Marsh North Unit

Cherokee Marsh North Unit is part of the City of Madison park system. It has 946 acres and is located along the Yahara River that feeds into Lake Mendota. There is 2.6 miles of trails in this unit of the marsh that are a mix of dirt trail and metal or wood boardwalks, two conical mounds and has two observation platforms. The park also offers bird and nature walk events throughout the year. You will start at the parking lot and the trailhead is right by the restrooms. There are a lot of intersecting parts to the trail, so you can pick and choose where you’d like to go and what you would like to see. With kids along, hiking to the observation desk along the marshland is a must, and along the prairie to the pond. The overlook is also a great stop. The trails have some mild elevation gain, which is kid friendly. there is a mix of wetlands, oak woodland and prairies along the trails within the park allowing for all kinds of wildlife observation. There is no wrong or right way to explore the trails here, pick your own path and make your own adventure!