Madison, WI is the county seat of Dane County as well as the capital city of Wisconsin. Located in southern Wisconsin, the area that would become Madison was originally inhabited by Native Americans. The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1829 after a former judge named James Duane Doty purchased a stretch of land to build a city. He decided to call the new community Madison in honor of the former United States president James Madison. Doty also named many of Madison's streets for people who had signed the U.S. Constitution. On November 28, 1836, the territorial legislature voted to make Madison the capital city of Wisconsin. Madison was officially incorporated as a village in 1846, and it remained the capital when Wisconsin eventually became a state in 1848. By 1856, Madison's population had grown to nearly 7,000, and it was incorporated as a city that year.
These days, Madison is one of the fastest-growing cities in Wisconsin. As of 2022, the population is approximately 278,000, and it's mainly known as one of the best places on the entire planet for biking. If you want to ride your bike while you're in the area, a few of the best spots are the Lake Monona Loop, Badger Prairie County Park, and Kettle Moraine State Forest. While the weather's nice, you may also want to stroll through the gorgeous Olbrich Botanical Gardens, go hiking in Blue Mounds State Park, or explore the Allen Centennial Gardens.
If you're a museum buff, you'll have lots of excellent choices around Madison. One great option is to browse the wonderful galleries at the Chazen Museum of Art. You could also take the family for a fun day at the Madison Children's Museum or check out the cool exhibits at the University of Wisconsin: Arboretum and Geology Museum. There are also lots of unique landmarks in Madison, like Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Estate, the University of Wisconsin's Memorial Union Terrace, and the Henry Vilas Zoo.
When your stomach starts to rumble, you'll have no shortage of exceptional restaurants to sample in the area. For example, you could try the delicious food at the Heritage Tavern or enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at Naples 15.
Campgrounds Near Madison, Wisconsin
The greater Madison area is home to quite a few wonderful RV campgrounds, and the Blackhawk Camping Resort is a perfect example. The huge campground features a whopping 490 full-hookup RV campsites available for $74 per night or $276 per week. It's a great place to stay for anyone who enjoys exploring nature, with roughly 100 wooded acres to navigate. Plus, the campground's staff is known for being exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Another quality camping option is the Sherwood Forest RV Park, which boasts well-maintained RV campsites and a variety of amenities. The campground features a splash pad, multiple playgrounds, and a heated swimming pool. There are also lots of family-friendly activities offered by the park every week. If you've got the kids with you, the Sherwood Forest RV Park is one of the best places to camp in the area.
You might also want to stay at the beautiful waterfront Creekview Campground. There, you can rent one of the 23 full-hookup RV campsites for $30 per night or $150 per week. Known for its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful scenery, the campground offers a nine-hole golf course, a pool, a hot tub, and free WiFi.
State Parks Near Madison, Wisconsin
Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Kegonsa, Lake Kegonsa State Park covers 342 acres and contains marshes, prairies, and woodlands. The park is a great recreational destination throughout the entire year, offering opportunities for all sorts of outdoor activities. Visitors can camp, picnic, swim, boat, and fish, and during the winter, cross-country skiing and sledding are popular activities as well. No matter which season it is, the scenery will be beautiful, and there will be plenty to do.
New Glarus Woods State Park is situated in southern Wisconsin and was originally established back in 1934. The quiet park is known for its diverse collection of flora and fauna as well as its great recreational opportunities. While visiting the area, you can hike the forested trails, enjoy sightseeing, or have a relaxing picnic. Other popular activities include mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and even snowshoeing.
Blue Mound State Park is another recreation area in Wisconsin that's wonderful to visit during any time of the year. The park is green and vibrant during spring and summer, and during autumn, the foliage changes to breathtaking colors. Even during winter, the area offers some excellent opportunities for camping in the snow. The park is also home to several unique features, including two 40-foot observation towers, a swimming pool, and an amphitheater. There are several miles of scenic hiking and biking trails to explore around the area, too.
National Sites Near Madison, Wisconsin
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a fascinating nature trail that follows the edge of Wisconsin's last glacier, which existed in the state roughly 10,000 years ago. These days, the area is filled with lakes, ridges, rivers, and hills. In total, the scenic trail spans 1,200 miles and navigates through farms, forests, canyons, state parks, and towns. Visitors can go hiking, backpacking, or snowshoeing along the trail, and there are plenty of opportunities for activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and rock climbing along the route.
If you're interested in Native American history, Effigy Mounds National Monument is a great place to visit. Located near Harpers Ferry, IA, the site features many fascinating mounds that are considered to be sacred by 20 different Native American tribes. The 206 mounds were built to resemble various animals and other significant symbols in Native American culture. While you're visiting, you can take a guided tour of the surreal mounds, although researchers still aren't entirely sure why they were built. There's also a visitor center at the site where you can learn about the area's history, and several hiking trails are found throughout the area as well.
Another unique national site to visit is Pullman National Monument, which commemorates the history of a planned community founded by George Pullman in the late 19th century. The unusual company town was designed to be somewhat of an idealistic society, but it never achieved Pullman's goals. However, it did play an important role in the rise of labor unions in the region. Much of the unique community has been preserved, and visitors can explore the historic district. While you're there, you can also stop by the visitor center and explore the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
National Forests Near Madison, Wisconsin
Ottawa National Forest comprises nearly 1 million acres and offers a variety of excellent recreational opportunities. The forest features over 2,100 miles of great off-roading trails as well as plenty of routes that are perfect for hiking and snowshoeing. While exploring the woodlands, you'll find many majestic waterfalls, placid lakes, and peaceful rivers and streams. Fishing, ice fishing, birdwatching, geocaching, and stargazing are all popular activities in the forest.
Another massive national forest in Wisconsin is Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which covers over 1.5 million acres. The huge forest has a rich Native American history and features many of the oldest and largest trees in the United States. Winter recreation is especially popular in the forest, with many visitors partaking in snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. If you decide to go hiking in the area, a couple of the nicest trails to check out are the Assessor's Interpretive Trail and the Anvil Lake Trail.
Located on Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Huron-Manistee National Forest lies between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and spans just under 1 million acres. The forest, which is known as a top-notch destination for trout fishing, features many different ecosystems. There are approximately 330 miles of scenic hiking trails to explore, including quality routes like the Silver Creek Pathway and the Little Muskegon River Trail. While navigating the forest, you'll want to keep your eyes open for cougars, wolves, coyotes, moose, black bears, and other cool wildlife species.
