Picnic Point

Madison, WI

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Picnic Point

Stroll along the shores of Lake Mendota, see the university, and find the best view of the Capitol from across the water. There is perhaps no more famous strolling destination in Madison than Picnic Point. This narrow peninsula into Lake Mendota is a magnet for nature lovers, joggers, and the hopelessly romantic. The trail runs the length of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve, which protects this beautiful portion of Lake Mendota from development, preserving it for both ecological and environmental study and pure aesthetics.

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Driving Directions

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Directions to: Picnic Point

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Trail Statistics & Information

ActivityHiking
Nearby CityMadison
Length8 mi
Skill LevelEasy
Duration3 hours
SeasonYear-round
Trailhead Elevation850 ft
Top Elevation890 ft
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