Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North — Attraction in Waunakee

Big sign that reads: "No Pets"

I don't support parks that bar pets from using the trails. it is no ONE's inherent right to decide if any ONE can or cannot be in any ONE place at any ONE time, and no ONE actually has or owns any ONE thing, person (or animal), or place..

Conversely, it is EVERYONE's inherent right to be EVERYWHERE at any place that they please at ANYTIME with out having to worry about ANY malicious intent or unfair judgement by corrupt minded individuals.

Also, a serious question here.

Who can actually tell me that bringing a pet on a trail at a conservation area is going to make any different of a ripple effect on the environment than the paths that humans already dredged up and cut through the forests and marshes?

To the already present percentage of ripple effect put into motion by the pathways humans walk through conservation areas, will adding a fraction of a percentile (mere paw prints) to the 5 to 7 feet wide trails REALLY destroy the environment?

Other than that it is a nice area for walking and hiking if you don't mind the ever present whining of aircraft jet turbines and helicopter blades every 3...

This place is magical. You can walk over the marsh in several areas of the park. It's easy to remember the paths after you've ventured through the area a handful of times. There are so many beautiful spots to sit at and enjoy the various views of the marsh. Then, there are cranes all over the place. If you're lucky, you'll get to see them up close at some point during your visit. This place is really well laid out. The bathrooms are very good, for outdoors bathrooms. I was impressed. You can find a map close to the restrooms of the marsh, if you need one. The marsh is free to the public - that's right, you do not have to pay to visit the Cherokee Marsh. I highly recommend this place for hiking. Today it was still snowed over quite a bit. Bring your snow boots/rain boots if your planning on hiking. Things still need...

Some of these comments and most of the photos relate to a different location. This location is at the very end of Sherman Ave. This park has 3.5 miles of groomed hiking trails and is a little known gem among Madison parks. There are 2 primary trails, one that goes to an island in the middle of a lake with an Indian Mound. The other goes around the lake. Most of the land around the lake is part of the conservation so the vistas are natural. The second growth forest is 50-100+ years old so you are surrounded by tall oak, maple and walnut trees. The oak trees I find particularly stunning as there seem to be so few left. Great weekend get-a-way without having to go! There is a bathroom on site. Stay on the trails I have...