Madison is a city built for every season. Snow, sun, wind, or rain, there’s always something pulling people outside, and Outdoor UW director David Elsmo has spent years helping students and visitors take advantage of it all. Here are some of his favorite ways to experience Madison, one season at a time.
Spring: Hit the trails.
As the snow melts and the city comes back to life, spring is the perfect time to explore Madison’s miles of hiking and biking trails. The UW–Madison Arboretum and Lakeshore Nature Preserve are especially beautiful as wildflowers bloom and migratory birds return.
Not traveling with your own bike? Madison makes it easy to get around on two wheels, with hundreds of electric bikes available to rent on campus and throughout the Madison Metro area. Plus, bike parking is plentiful.
Summer: Take advantage of the lakes.
When summer finally arrives, Madison’s lakes become the center of outdoor life. Rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard to see the city from the water.
For those who would rather stay on shore, Elsmo recommends grabbing a seat at Memorial Union Terrace and watching the sailboats crisscross the water. “The Terrace is the best place to watch it from,” he says.
Fall: Try something new.
Autumn’s cooler temperatures make it the ideal season for outdoor adventures. Reserve a fire pit through the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, take a foraging class with Outdoor UW, or plan one last camping trip before winter arrives.
One of Elsmo’s favorite recommendations is Picnic Point. “You can really feel ‘out there’ on Picnic Point. It feels like you’re not in Madison,” he says.
If you’re camping-curious but don’t own the gear, Outdoor UW’s rental program makes it easy to borrow everything from tents and sleeping bags to camp stoves and coolers so you can try the experience without purchasing a carload of equipment first.
If you’ve never camped before, don’t worry. Staff will demonstrate how to use the rental equipment before you head out, and you can refer to their Camping 101 video anytime for a refresher.
Winter: Embrace the cold.
Rather than waiting for warmer weather, Elsmo recommends leaning into winter. Outdoor UW’s ice-skating rink in front of Memorial Union offers a fun, low-pressure way to enjoy the season.
“Come down here, go ice skating for 10 minutes, get cold, and go back inside and enjoy the Union,” he says.
If conditions allow, more adventurous Badgers can rent snowshoes to explore the Lakeshore Nature Preserve or try snow kiting across the frozen lake.
Any season: See it twice.
The best part about Madison’s outdoor spaces is that they never stay the same for long. A spring walk through the Arboretum feels entirely different from an autumn stroll, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve offers something new with every visit. If you’re back in town often, make a point to revisit a favorite spot in a different season.
