It is great to have such a varied ecosystem so close to home. I am rehabbing from 2 hip replacements and there are lots of options for walking trails. The sandhill cranes are great to hear and see too.

This place is magical. You can walk over the marsh in several areas of the park. Its easy to remember the paths after youve ventured through the area a handful of times. There are so many beautiful spots to sit at and enjoy the various views of the marsh. Then, there are cranes all over the place. If youre lucky, youll get to see them up close at some point during your visit. This place is really well laid out. The bathrooms are very good, for outdoors bathrooms. I was impressed. You can find a map close to the restrooms of the marsh, if you need one. The marsh is free to the public - thats right, you do not have to pay to visit the Cherokee Marsh. I highly recommend this place for hiking. Today it was still snowed over quite a bit. Bring your snow boots/rain boots if your planning on hiking. Things still need to thaw out.

Despite being the end of fall with no leaves nor snow, it is a beautiful place to hike.

Wonderful hiking trails! Head toward the water. Lots of trees, shade, birds. Open marsh is so pleasant to just look out and contemplate good things remaining in the quiet beautiful.

Lovely nature conservation park with short trails some along the river and marsh. Right at the edge of Madison so not too far.

Took a 3 mile walk here covered the whole area! It was beautiful and peaceful!

Cool spot with lots of mini destinations to keep 4 year olds excited. Almost enough wind and sun to keep off the mosquitos

The Cherokee Marsh - North Unit is so beautiful. You can for miles and it is absolutely breathtaking. Definitely a nice place for a trail run/walk.

Beautiful natural area right in Madison. Fun to explore, take in nature and find different wildlife that inhabit the area. Love all the birds you can find!

The sun was shining and the meadow was gorgeous. It was lovely to get out for a walk. We did a large loop and it was definitely over 3 miles, Im thinking closer to 4. There are shorter loops options available, but it was so nice out that we wanted to continue.

Being so close to the city yet having such beauty undisturbed by man is a gift to walk through.

Too hot and too many bugs. Also why is there a handicap parking space?

Nice short hiking trails within Madison city limits. You can walk through wooded areas as well as marsh land. Lots of wild life and flowers.

Pleasnt trails for walking and nature observing.

A good forest view close by the isthmus. There is no boardwalk to trek the Marsh but the birds come .

Great place to observe some neature not far out from the city!

Great place for hike. They have heated bathrooms for visitors which is amazing. Its suprising large for being in Madison and the trails are very well care for which makes hiking easy.

Great spot for a hike, some fresh air, and beautiful natural views.

Great place to smoke pot

Beautiful park trails, wetlands and boardwalks. Great cross country skiing in the winter too. Also very peaceful and great wildlife if you kayak.

Quiet, red dogwoods galore, well maintained trails, fun in all season, many oaks Savannah tenants along the riverfront with overlooks.

Nature abounds, escape and walk in peace.

A beautiful, peaceful place to enjoy.

Great place for easy hikes.

Snowy winter hike; scenic, sunny, crunchy; solitude together

I love walking through the Cherokee marsh. I grew up in the area and explored till I knew it like the back of my hands. Lots of bugs, but thats the great outdoors for ya.. and its a marsh.

Went there in autumn, and it was gorgeous (like walking through a sunset).Clear paths so minimal worry of ticks.

Very well maintained

Great place for birding, theres a mix of prairie, marsh, upland areas, woods, and ponds. Some rare species can be found there, and they frequently have pelicans roosting during the summer.

Great place for a hike thats not very far from downtown!

Awesome place to walk the woods and I heard there is big cat fish in that Marsh..

Great walking paths.

This is one of my favorite nature spots in Madison. Usually very quiet and peaceful (except for all the frogs croaking, hahaha). Nice water views and panoramic hill views. Nice place to get away, hike a bit and get back to yourself! Mosquitos invade in summer, so wear your repellant!

Tons of birds. Love the sandhill cranes and red bellied woodpeckers

Looks like people like “Rain Prize” needs a safe space in her whinery building. Not everyone can handle dogs.

Big sign that reads: No PetsI dont support parks that bar pets from using the trails. it is no ONEs inherent right to decide if any ONE can or cannot be in any ONE place at any ONE time, and no ONE actually has or owns any ONE thing, person (or animal), or place..Conversely, it is EVERYONEs inherent right to be EVERYWHERE at any place that they please at ANYTIME with out having to worry about ANY malicious intent or unfair judgement by corrupt minded individuals.Also, a serious question here.Who can actually tell me that bringing a pet on a trail at a conservation area is going to make any different of a ripple effect on the environment than the paths that humans already dredged up and cut through the forests and marshes?To the already present percentage of ripple effect put into motion by the pathways humans walk through conservation areas, will adding a fraction of a percentile (mere paw prints) to the 5 to 7 feet wide trails REALLY destroy the environment?Other than that it is a nice area for walking and hiking if you dont mind the ever present whining of aircraft jet turbines and helicopter blades every 3 to 5 minutes.

Have hiked this trail every season of the year and its been great except for one summer sunset hike where the mosquitos were swarming. So just bring the bug spray. Really wish pets were allowed on leash as it would be a nice walk with my dog.

Some of these comments and most of the photos relate to a different location. This location is at the very end of Sherman Ave. This park has 3.5 miles of groomed hiking trails and is a little known gem among Madison parks. There are 2 primary trails, one that goes to an island in the middle of a lake with an Indian Mound. The other goes around the lake. Most of the land around the lake is part of the conservation so the vistas are natural. The second growth forest is 50-100+ years old so you are surrounded by tall oak, maple and walnut trees. The oak trees I find particularly stunning as there seem to be so few left. Great weekend get-a-way without having to go! There is a bathroom on site. Stay on the trails I have seen snakes!

Great place for a day trip if you live near Madison. It is remote feeling in certain sides and very urban on others. Hike the park once then decide where you want to spend the rest of your time there.

The trails are unique here, not difficult and you can see a lot in around an hour. One trail leads you through the marsh to a bench and overlooks the Yahara River. Another trail leads you to a raised deck looking towards the river and overlooking the marsh. You can walk one trail uphill through the woods and see all the way to the interstate.This is a great place for kids, field trips, and is definitely worth more than one visit.

Awesome place for a peaceful stroll.. Not all trails were open, but it was the first nice weekend.. Cant wait to return

Simply stunning wetland. Come for the sunset... Stay for the quiet walk away from the city.Warning : bring bug spray, or face being consumed by mosquitoes.

Amazing you must go if near by

Good fishing clean little park great access to marsh for fishing

A good time for a chance to get out and see Natcher

This marsh was a very pretty short meander through to a nice opening over the waterway.Be sure to co tinue past the sings that say no car access, all they way to the actual parking lot.

Great trails right outside the heart of Madison.

Nice trails. Good bird watching.

One of my favorite places to run. Some woods and some marsh.

A gem in Madison. Beautiful views.

Not too much to see. Still nice to hike

3 miles of nice trails for walking, not much to see beyond marsh, forest, and meadow.

Tranquil, pristine, and inspiring...

A great place near town for a short walk.

A great tract of land, good for hiking and great for research!

Beautiful trails for a relaxing hike in the middle of 4,000 acres of wetland.

Amazing candle light walk!!

Trails were mixed snow, ice, slush and mud today.

Nice day there has been extensive burning of invasive species cant wait for it to grow in

Not much to see. Basically like walking in a field. Power lines, can still see houses, and theres a waste dump. Not a very good hiking or nature experience.

One of the lesser known attraction, good to avoid crowd

Nice quiet spot

Good place to walk but the bugs are bad at this time

Enjoyed the walking paths and the scenery

Beautiful

Beautiful

No dogs :-(

Great place for a hike or to bird watch

Nice hiking right in Madison

Nice View

Beautiful place to go on a walk

Hreat place to take a walk

Love the park