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Lower Yahara River Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 118 Google reviews · Running trail in Madison, Wisconsin · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 2.5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Lower Yahara River Trail'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.
Park featuring a long boardwalk and bridge connecting two sides of a lake.
What runners say about Lower Yahara River Trail
“Really great, scenic, accessible and well constructed bike and pedestrian path.”
I am hereby naming the portion of trail from McDaniel Park to Rimrock road "The Rainbow Trail". To help ease the pain of losing their childhood pet, my kids helped me come up with a way to help other families go through such a hard time.
Now this is something really special! This is a looooong pedestrian bridge for walking and biking with some great water views. There are many species of bird here, and they're everywhere. We even saw a couple catch fish. We saw many turtles sunbathing.
The boardwalk is especially nice. Bicyclists are numerous and polite. Not challenging so is good for persons physically impaired or just wanting an easy walk. Flat with off shoot groomed trails. Lots of wildlife. Parking at McDaniel Park in McFarland.
Beautiful long hike to sooth the soul... Just outside of Madison... Bald eagles and prehistoric cranes to watch too!
Trail conditions & character
“We walk the causeway boardwalk (about 1 mile each way) pretty often, especially in winter when it is plowed and so little else is.”
“This is a looooong pedestrian bridge for walking and biking with some great water views.”
“Really great, scenic, accessible and well constructed bike and pedestrian path.”
“Anyone who is missing a lost pet can go on this long walk (up to 9 miles paved) and watch for animals that remind them of their pet.”
Plan your run at Lower Yahara River Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance2.5 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
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparks-lwrd.countyofdane.com
- Phone(608) 224-3730
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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
This expansive open space features camping, picnic shelters, trails & a pond with boat launch.
Turville Point Conservation Park
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Picturesque, lakeside retreat featuring over 3 miles of trails amid oak trees & spring wildflowers.
McGaw Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 189 reviews
Recreation site offering baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball courts, plus picnic facilities, and a playground.