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Lower Yahara River Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 44 Google reviews · Running trail in McFarland, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 2.5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted 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.
What runners say about Lower Yahara River Trail
“The boardwalk is extremely well kept and a great trail for casual biking, walking, or for those in wheelchairs.”
“Beautiful flat trail, the boardwalk is a fun almost mile long part of the trail then you move into mixed shady/unshaded parts of the trail.”
Beautiful 1 mile boardwalk for pedestrians and bikers that goes along the lake and the surrounding forestry. It is beautiful all times of the year and great at all hours of the day. The boardwalk is extremely well kept and a great trail for casual biking, walking, or for those in wheelchairs.
Great place to ride a bicycle or walk. Many different ways to go, pretty much level.
Great trail. Prepare to bike around other trail users. I kept my speed around 10 to 12 mph when walkers were around. Speed limit is 15 mph. The boardwalk portion was fun. I road my ebike from the parking lot of McDaniel Park to a portion of the Lake Loop and back. About 13 miles total.
I am in a wheelchair and this is one of the nicer trails that I have been on very smooth very well kept clean has a bridge that's almost tomorrow long that goes around the lake absolutely beautiful Great playground below for children restaurant nearby and had fabulous food
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful flat trail, the boardwalk is a fun almost mile long part of the trail then you move into mixed shady/unshaded parts of the trail.”
“Beautiful flat trail, the boardwalk is a fun almost mile long part of the trail then you move into mixed shady/unshaded parts of the trail.”
“Beautiful flat trail, the boardwalk is a fun almost mile long part of the trail then you move into mixed shady/unshaded parts of the trail.”
“I road my ebike from the parking lot of McDaniel Park to a portion of the Lake Loop and back.”
“The boardwalk is extremely well kept and a great trail for casual biking, walking, or for those in wheelchairs.”
“I prefer this type of paved trail compared to the relatively boring straight and flat railroad paths that are common in the Midwest.”
Plan your run at Lower Yahara River Trail
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
- 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.
- Websitedanecountyparks.com
- Phone+1 608-224-3730
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near McFarland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lower Yahara River Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 118 reviews
Park featuring a long boardwalk and bridge connecting two sides of a lake.
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
4.6 ★★★★★ 96 reviews
Picturesque, lakeside retreat featuring over 3 miles of trails amid oak trees & spring wildflowers.
