Recreation

We love it outside

We’re walkers, bikers, anglers, paddlers, hunters, prairie restorers, cross-county skiers, runners, picnickers, campers, birders, rock hounds, field sports players, snowmobilers, and many others. We live for the outdoors and we love Northwest Dane County, our special part of the natural world we call the Gateway to The Driftless. If you can’t reach us, chances are we’re out on the land or on the water, enjoying one of the many outdoor recreational opportunities the Gateway area has to offer. To learn more about the Gateway and plan an outing or visit, browse this list of facilities or quickly explore our beautiful area using our Interactive Map. Come out and play!

Parks

Blue Mounds State Park

Brigham County Park

Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark

Devil’s Lake State Park

Festge County Park

Governor Dodge State Park

Halfway Prairie School

Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains

Indian Lake County Park

Morton Forest County Park

Salmo Pond County Park

Stewart Lake County Park

Tower Hill State Park

Walking Iron County Park

Public Lands

Arena Oak and Sand Barrens State Natural Area

Black Earth Creek County Wildlife Area Sunnyside Unit

Blue Mounds County Wildlife Area

Halfway Prairie County Wildlife Area

Ice Age Trail Junction County Natural Resource Area

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Black Hawk Ridge Recreational Management Area

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Mazomanie Recreational Management Area

Mazomanie Bottoms State Natural Area

Mazomanie Oak Barrens State Natural Area

Phil’s Woods County Natural Resource Area

Walking Iron County Wildlife Area

Conservancies

Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area

Goth Conservancy Town of Middleton

Hickory Hill Conservancy Village of Cross Plains

Kahl Halfway Prairie Park Town of Berry

Noll Valley Conservancy Town of Middleton

Parrish Oak Savanna State Natural Area

Pleasant Valley Conservancy State Natural Area

Pope Farm Conservancy Town of Middleton

Swamplovers Nature Preserve

Recreational Trails

Ice Age Trail Indian Lake Segment

Ice Age Trail Table Bluff Segment

Ice Age Trail Cross Plains Segment

Ice Age Trail Valley View Segment

Lake Marion Trail Village of Mazomanie

Military Ridge State Trail

Wolf Run Trail

Bike Routes

County Highway F Bike Route

County Highway FF Bike Route

County Highway J Bike Route

County Highway JG Bike Route

County Highway JJ Bike Route

County Highway K Bike Route

County Highway KP Bike Route

County Highway P Bike Route

County Highway Y Bike Route

Fishing Access

Black Earth Creek WDNR Fishing Access @ Cross Plains

Black Earth Creek WDNR Fishing Access @ Salmo Pond

Black Earth Creek Public Fishing Access @ Black Earth

Black Earth Creek Public Fishing Access @ Mazomanie

Elvers Creek WDNR Fishing Access

Vermont Creek WDNR Fishing Access

Boating Access

Black Earth Creek Lion’s Park Paddling Access

Black Earth Creek Olson Road Paddling Access

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Sauk City Municipal Boat Launch

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway WDNR Sauk-Prairie Canoe Launch

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Town of Mazomanie Boat Ramp

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway WDNR Arena Boat Ramp

Municipal Parks

Baer Park Village of Cross Plains

Zander Community Nature Park Village of Cross Plains

Community Park Village of Arena

Community Park Village of Black Earth

Veterans Memorial Park Village of Black Earth

Lions Park Village of Mazomanie

Westland Promenade Park Village of Mazomanie

Ed Tallard Park Town of Middleton

Pioneer Park Town of Middleton