HomeWisconsinMadison › Sandburg Woods

Sandburg Woods

4.2 ★★★★☆ 54 Google reviews · Running trail in Madison, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Sandburg Woods' 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.

PavedLoopScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Conservation forestland with native plants & wildlife, plus hiking & snowshoeing trails.

What runners say about Sandburg Woods

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (54 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Sandburg Woods is lush and beautiful, amazing place to look for woodpeckers if you’re into that”

Lovely here- there's a nice lil path; decent sized playground with multiple swings nearby; two basketball courts along its cement path. Very lovely!!

★★★★★ — Logan , May 2022

Lots of trees. More than expected. No wildlife which is a bummer. I was hoping to catch a deer or a red tailed fox. Not to eat but to wrestle for fun. I’ll win again, you’ll see. Anyways, nice trail. Did I mention the trees? There’s a lot of them. 9/10. Would recommend.

★★★★★ — Rebecca , Dec 2023

Really good trail for a quick run or walk, not challenging at all. Some bugs and spider webs to watch out for, lots of chipmunks and squirrels.

★★★★☆ — Bob , Sep 2019

perfect 30 minute trail tucked away, quiet but still close to everything !

★★★★★ — Andrew , Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 54 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 5 mentions

“Sandburg Woods is lush and beautiful, amazing place to look for woodpeckers if you’re into that”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Very nice I didn't see poop bags for the dogs.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Nice neighborhood trail with a paved bike loop option that goes around the woods.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“I would say a little over a mile loop with two downed tree Crossings, and mild elevation.”

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🚻 Restrooms

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Sandburg Woods

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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
  • 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–6 PM
Tuesday 4 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 4 AM–6 PM
Thursday 4 AM–6 PM
Friday 4 AM–6 PM
Saturday 4 AM–6 PM
Sunday 4 AM–6 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 Sandburg Woods

2902 Independence Ln, Madison, WI 53704

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.

Token Creek Dog Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 115 reviews

DeForest, WI

MixedShadedDog-friendly

Popular off-leash park featuring separate fenced sections for small and large dogs and hiking trails.

2.6 miles away

Token Creek County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 894 reviews

DeForest, WI

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Large 427-acre green space offering walking & equestrian trails, volleyball courts & campsites.

3.3 miles away

Windy Ridge Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews

Sun Prairie, WI

Scenic

3.4 miles away

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North

4.7 ★★★★★ 319 reviews

Madison, WI

4.1 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Low prairie & wetlands cover 2,000 acres at this preserve with a trail & boardwalk for visitors.

3.6 miles away

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South

4.6 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

Madison, WI

3.8 miScenic

Nature preserve featuring trails for hiking and biking, as well as ponds and a boat ramp.

4.1 miles away

Token Creek Conservancy

4.7 ★★★★★ 89 reviews

DeForest, WI

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring picnic tables, a covered area and a bridge, as well as trails and a cemetery.

4.3 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.