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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North
4.7 ★★★★★ 319 Google reviews · Running trail in Madison, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 4.1 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Low prairie & wetlands cover 2,000 acres at this preserve with a trail & boardwalk for visitors.
What runners say about Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North
“Quiet, red dogwoods galore, well maintained trails, fun in all season, many oaks Savannah tenants along the riverfront with overlooks.”
“Cherokee Marsh Wildlife Area near Madison is a beautiful mix of marshland, prairie, and woodland ecosystems that support an incredible variety of wildlife and native plants.”
Cherokee Marsh State Natural Area park. Natures beauty just outside the capital city. Well maintained year around for recreational activities. Walking. Hiking. Birdwatching.
Beautiful place to walk. Plenty of parking, bathrooms, lots of trails and scenic walks. Lots of mosquitoes right now.
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.
Its a beautiful place to trail. Only i didnt like dog free. At least it could be dog with leash.
Trail conditions & character
“Cherokee Marsh Wildlife Area near Madison is a beautiful mix of marshland, prairie, and woodland ecosystems that support an incredible variety of wildlife and native plants.”
“Plenty of parking, bathrooms, lots of trails and scenic walks.”
“The paths were all in pretty good shape the drive in tocthe parking was a bit bumpy but as we were leaving it was being graded and fresh gravel being put down in spots.”
“The paths were all in pretty good shape the drive in tocthe parking was a bit bumpy but as we were leaving it was being graded and fresh gravel being put down in spots.”
Plan your run at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance4.1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecityofmadison.com
- Phone(608) 266-4711
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 4 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Madison
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South
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