Let’s go on a little adventure! Those are the words that our three-year-old says almost every single day. With so much love for exploration, we try our best to visit new places from week to week. Picnic Point was a spot we found when first moving here from Montana. Not knowing what to expect, we went and really enjoyed it. So did our little ones!
We parked our car in the nearby 130 lot on campus and unpacked the double stroller. There is paid parking during the week but in the evenings and weekends, it is free. As soon as we stepped foot on the trail we were met with friendly joggers, sweet families, and super cute leashed dogs. We knew we were in the right place!
Picnic Point is located at:
2000 University Bay Drive
Madison, WI 53705
Picnic Point Trail is open from sunrise to sunset and is about two miles long. The trail is quite a favorite as it can get pretty busy. If you’re looking for more of a serene nature experience, you should definitely go in the mornings during the week. There were a few people that even brought their laptops to the trail to get a change of scenery for work.
At Picnic Point you’ll enjoy a wooded trail with beautiful views of Lake Mendota, wildflowers, and even some birds along the way. The path is great for all skill levels, and is stroller accessible; so don’t be afraid to give this one a try.
There are quite a few off-shoots that you can check out along the way. Our kids love nature so exploring these little areas was right up their alley. We spotted many fire pits on our walk that can be reserved with wood provided. Our hope is that these “fire circles” will be available for use again for families to enjoy. Just think of the s’mores!
Once we reached the point, we walked down the stone steps to fully enjoy the lake views and of course our favorite is seeing the gorgeous capital building. We watched several boats go by and then took lots of pictures before heading back.
Picnic Point is still the perfect place to go when you want to take an easy stroll with the family, and we hope you get to go visit soon. We definitely will!
