HomeWisconsinMadison › Indian Springs Park

Indian Springs Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Madison, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Indian Springs Park'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.

MixedLoopScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Indian Springs Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (29 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful park area that takes you through forestry, swamp ground and prairie fields.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Nice quiet wetlands trail area that opens up to field area.”

Beautiful park area that takes you through forestry, swamp ground and prairie fields. It is a small walking trail in the backyards of a residential area. The trail has many tributaries and short cuts to allow for customization of trail distance.

★★★★★ — Grace , Dec 2023

No parking lot just on street parking. Trail head sign is easy to see. Nice quiet wetlands trail area that opens up to field area. Easy to connect to larger paved trail system that you can loop through Baxter park and makes about a 3 mile loop. The bridge is EXTREMELY slippery in winter so take caution.

★★★★☆ — Statia , Dec 2023

Beautiful park on the edge of the city. Pretty hiking trails that meet up with the capital bike trail system.

★★★★★ — Zachary , Apr 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful park area that takes you through forestry, swamp ground and prairie fields.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Nice quiet wetlands trail area that opens up to field area.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“The trail has multiple entrances from a cement-paved bike trail and runs ajacent to a park with a soccer field and jungle gym.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“If hiking in winter make sure you wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty, it's muddy in some places.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Easy to connect to larger paved trail system that you can loop through Baxter park and makes about a 3 mile loop.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“No parking lot just on street parking.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Indian Springs Park

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
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • 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

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Indian Springs Park

513 Engelhart Dr, Madison, WI 53713

Get directions

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.

Capital Springs Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 313 reviews

Madison, WI

MixedScenicDog-friendly

This expansive open space features camping, picnic shelters, trails & a pond with boat launch.

1.4 miles away

Turville Point Conservation Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 96 reviews

Madison, WI

LitScenic

Picturesque, lakeside retreat featuring over 3 miles of trails amid oak trees & spring wildflowers.

1.5 miles away

Lake Farm County Park Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Madison, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

2.3 miles away

Gunflint Trail Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

Fitchburg, WI

2.6 miles away

McGaw Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 189 reviews

Fitchburg, WI

1.5 miShadedLitScenic

Recreation site offering baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball courts, plus picnic facilities, and a playground.

2.7 miles away

University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum

4.9 ★★★★★ 442 reviews

Madison, WI

BoardwalkScenic

1,200 acres of varied habitats including prairies, forests & wetlands plus trails & nature classes.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Madison, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.