The summer of 2021, I made it a goal to visit all the Madison beaches! It then turned into seeing every park that sits along a Madison area lake. So here is a list of every place YOU can check out to enjoy these amazing lakes any time of the year!
Please be aware that during the Winter season (October-April) bathrooms may be closed and parking along streets may be limited if any. These parks are all still great to visit year round, as the changing seasons brings a changing scenery.
Lake Mendota Beaches
Picnic Point Beach
About a 5 minute walk from parking, part of the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve [Bathrooms, Pay to Park, No Filter]
Spring Harbor Beach Park
Small beach hidden within the Spring Harbor naighborhood. [Bathrooms, Parking on Norman Way, No Filter]
Marshall Park
Nestled along Middleton, the park has a variety of opportunities including boat rentals [Bathrooms, Parking Lot, No Filter]
Mendota County Park
Right off of Hwy M, Seasonal campground [Bathrooms, Filter, Parking Lot]
Governor Nelson State Park
Perhaps the largest beach with a fading view of Downtown Madison [Bathrooms, State Sticker Required, No Filter]
Warner Park
Just outside the main part of the park on the Northside of Madison [Bathrooms, No Filter, Parking]
Beach Park
One of the best views of the downtown area within the Maple Bluff Community. [Bathrooms, Small Parking Lot, No Filter]
Tenney Park
A gorgeous park with a large variety of amenities. [Bathrooms, Parking Lot, No Filter]
James Madison Park
A busy park near the downtown area [Bathrooms, No Filter, Parking Lot to the West]
Lake Mendota Views-No Swimming
Picnic Point
Part of the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve. There is a beach on the North end of Picnic Point, but the rest is a gorgeous walk for lake views. [Bathrooms, Pay to Park]
Raymer's Cove
Hidden in the Northwest portion of the UW-Madison Lakshore Nature Preserve [Limited Parking, No Bathrooms]
Giddings Park
Small access to the lake. Huge lawn and limited parking. [No Bathrooms, No Parking]
Burrows Park
Grab some Banzo and come watch the boats come on and off the lake. [Bathrooms, Parking Lot]
Wakanda Picnic Area
The Southern part of Governor Nelson State Park, Wakanda Picnic Area has its own parking lot, mysterious buildings, a pit toilet, and a small view of the downtown area. It also leads into a hiking trail starting with a Panther Mound. While called a picnic area, there were no picnic tables available at my visit. [Bathrooms, Parking-WI State Sticker Required]
Merrill Springs Park
View the lake near a spring cistern built in 1934. [No Bathrooms, No Parking]
Tenney Park Lock and Dam
Tenney Park also has a beach but the lock and dam portion of the park is worth the visit to walk out and view the skyline. [Bathrooms, Parking Across at Tenney Park]
Lake Monona Beaches
BB Clark Beach
A popular beach along the downtown area. You can't see the Capital from the shoreline, but a nice side view of Monona Terrace. [No parking lot-available along the street, Filter, Bathroom]
Esther Beach Park
One of the best views of Madison's skyline. [Parking Lot, Newer Bathrooms, No Filter]
Frost Woods Beach
Small beach disconnected from the full "Frost Woods Park". Lots of wildlife was there during my visit. [Parking Lot, No Bathrooms, No Filter]
Schluter Beach
A popular spot for Monona swimmers. Across the street is the Monona Bait and Ice Cream Shop, a perfect stop for lunch or beach day treat. [Filter, Bathrooms, Parking Lot]
Olbrich Park
Everyone in Madison is familar with Olbrich Park. It is no small park. Besides a beach, it also has multiple recreation opportunities, the Olbrich Biergarten, and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. [Parking Lot, Bathrooms, No filter]
Monona Bay Beaches
Bernie's Beach
Amazing view of Downtown. Be sure to grab a snack and coffee from Lakeside St Coffee House [Bathrooms, Parking Along Street, Filter]
Brittingham Park
A great walking path through the park, shelter, and Brittingham boats is available for rentals. [Bathrooms, Parking Lot]
Lake Monona Views-No Swimming
Law Park
A park along Monona Terrace. A great widespread view of Lake Monona. [Parking Lot-Pay meter, No bathrooms]
Olin-Turville Park
This is a larger park that stretches along John Nolen. It provides a great view of the Madison skyline. Most views are blocked by trees, it is hard to get an open view. [Bathrooms, Parking Lot]
Graham Park
A very small park with a view of the Yahara River more than Lake Monona. No parking on the street along the park, so I had to park a street down. Found the DNR fish measuring tape on one of the picnic tables quite interesting and useful! [No bathrooms, No parking lot]
Tecumseh Park
I wouldn't even consider this a park, but it would make a great spot to sit and read. A very small plot of land snuggled between two homes with a swinging bench looking out into Squaw Bay. This is why I went and checked out these parks so you don't have to! [No bathrooms, Parking lot at Oneida Park]
Wyldhaven Park
This easily became one of my favorite places to hang out and stare out into the lake, enjoy a picnic, or read a book. While it is another very small park, it appears to be recently renovated with a porch and seating area. [No bathrooms, Parking along road]
Tonyawatha Park
This park was designed to be a boat launch, but there is a cute little seating area if you happen to be in the area. [Parking on street, No bathrooms]
Stone Bridge Park
{Under construction at time of visit}
San Damiano Park
San Damiano is right off of Monona Drive but is surprisingly quiet. In front of the mansion is a large front yard with trees scattered throughout. Behind it is a great view of Lake Monona with plenty of patio chairs throughout. [Parking, Portable toilet]
Hudson Park
A small park stretched between Olbrich and Yahara Place Park. There are quite a few effigy mounds in this park. The beach is different than other beaches since it has stone steps leading down into the water. [No bathrooms, Parking along street]
Yahara Place Park
This is another long park along the waters. It has quite alot of trees throughout. The west end of the park is ended by the Yahara River which boats utilize to go from Lake Monona to Lake Mendota and vice versa. [No restroom, Parking along street]
Morrison Park
While many of the parks had piers for fisherfolk, this one at Morrison beckoned me the most. I carefully walked out and it felt like I was in a kayak on the lake. This provided one of the most open views of the lake, with no visibility of the downtown area. [No bathrooms, Parking along street]
Paunack (A.O.) Park
This park is only accessible by the Monona Lake Bike Loop Trail-or if you happen to live in the area. [No bathrooms, No Parking, Small Shelter]
Secret Spot
At the end of Coldspring Ave in Monona I found this set of chairs and a memorial bench I just had to share. Jerry died to get it so it's only fair that you come and visit. I checked the County records map and the ownership had "No Information" but I am assuming it is City of Monona. [Parking up on the street, No bathroom]
Monona Terrace
All the other spots I have listed happen to be parks since they are open to the public. However, it is a good idea to me to include Monona Terrace as a top Lake Monona viewpoint. Parking is available at a cost but you can always bike over.
Monona Bay Views-No Swimming
South & West Shore Park
Not so much a park, just the grass area along the bay for people to walk on. There are lots of private docks. Ok view of the downtown area.
Lake Wingra Beaches
Vilas Park Beach
This beach was popping on a beautiful Saturday! One of the bigger beaches in the Madison area. Lots of parking options for being so close to downtown. [Bathrooms, Parking Lot]
Lake Wingra Views-No Swimming
Wingra Park and Boat Livery
(Photos Coming Soon!)
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
(Photos Coming Soon!)
Lake Waubesa Beaches
Goodland County Park
One of the quieter beaches in the Madison area. Goodland County Park is commonly used for the boat launch and shelters. [Filter, Restrooms, Parking Lot]
Lake Waubesa Views-No Swimming
McDaniel Park
William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park-Shelter 2
This park goes around Lake Waubesa but one of the best spots to see the lake is at shelter 2. [Restrooms, Parking Lot]
Lake Kegonsa Beaches
Lake Kegonsa State Park
[Bathrooms, State Park Sticker Required]
Lake Kegonsa Views-No Swimming
LaFollette County Park
Over the railroad tracks provides a wide view of Kegonsa [Bathrooms, Parking]
Fish Camp County Park
This park is mainly used as a boat launch. The first parking lot is free to visitors but the boat launch parking lot does require a lake access permit. [Restrooms, Parking]
Lake Wingra Beaches
Vilas Park Beach
Lake Wingra Views-No Swimming
Wingra Park
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
Surrounding Lakes
Stewart Lake County Park-Swimming
Established in 1935, it is the oldest Dane County Park. Hidden along Mt. Horeb. [Bathrooms, No Filter, Parking Lot]
Lussier County Park-Views
Visit for a view of Fish Lake. [Bathroom, Parking Lot (Limited due to rising water)]
If you have any questions or updates to any of these parks or want to add some yourself, email me at thetackytourist@yahoo.com or reach out via my social media! I would also love to hear if you visited any from this list.
Happy Trails!
~The Tacky Tourist
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