Preserve Hours
OPEN 4am-10pm daily.
The 300-acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve stretches for 4.3 miles along the south shore of Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus–from the Hasler Limnology Laboratory on the east to the Village of Shorewood Hills on the west.
Parking
UW Lot 130 (2003 University Bay Drive)
Note: Due to Frautschi Center construction, UW Lot 130 parking is limited to 10-15 stalls, including accessible (disabled) stalls.
- Monday-Friday (7am-4:30pm): Payment is required.
- Use the on-site pay stations or ParkMobile app. Parking rates: $1 per 30 minutes for the first 3 hours; $1 per hour after. Daily maximum $13. Payment by credit card or exact change only. Machines only accept $1, $2, $5, and $10 bills. No change given.
- Free parking: Monday-Friday from 4am–7am and 4:30pm–10pm, and on weekends.
- Lot closed: 10pm-4am, daily.
For alternate parking near Picnic Point entrance, please use UW Lot 60 or UW Lot 76:
UW Lot 60 (801 Walnut Drive)
- Monday-Friday (7am-4:30pm): Users must display a valid UW parking permit.
- Free parking: Monday-Friday from 4:30pm-7am and on weekends, unless the lot is reserved during a special event.
UW Lot 76, University Bay Drive Ramp (2501 University Bay Drive)
- Monday-Friday (7am-4:29pm): Payment is required.
- Parking rate: $1 per 30 minutes for the first 3 hours; $1 per hour after. Daytime session maximum $15.
- Monday-Friday (4:30pm-11:59pm): Payment is required.
- Parking rate: $1 per hour. Evening session maximum $5.
- Free parking: Monday-Friday from 12am-6:59am, and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 2662 Lake Mendota Drive, Madison WI 53705
Parking is free for Preserve visitors in the Frautschi Point and Raymer’s Cove lots.
Address: 2900 Lake Mendota Drive, Madison WI 53705
Note: This lot is not sanded or plowed in the winter. Use at your own risk.
Parking is free for Preserve visitors in the Raymer’s Cove and Frautschi Point lots.
Address: Corner of Lake Mendota Drive and University Bay Drive
- Permit is required Monday-Friday 7am-3pm.
- Parking is free from 4am–7am, from 3pm–10pm, and on weekends.
- Lot closed: 10pm-4am, daily.
Address: 1480 Tripp Circle, Madison, WI 53706
- Permit required Monday-Friday 7am-4:30pm.
- Park for free on evenings and weekends, except for special events.
Although UW Parking Lot 34 is not available to Preserve visitors during ordinary business hours without a permit, it is nonetheless located within the boundaries of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Learn more about Lot 34.
Address: 1188-1565 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706
- Permit required Monday-Friday 7am-4:30pm.
- Park for free on evenings and weekends, except for special events.
A convenient pull-out on the north side of Observatory Drive offers a few short-term parking spots for visitors taking in the view from Observatory Hill.
Please note that UW-Madison parking regulations apply in the Preserve. See UW-Madison Transportation Services Visitor Parking for more details.
Getting Here
By bus
Madison metro buses #80/84 make regular stops through campus and at many points with easy access to the Preserve including at the top of Muir Woods, near Willow Creek, at the Picnic Point entry gate, at the northeast corner of Eagle Heights Woods, and near the Frautschi Point entrance.
By bicycle
The Howard Temin Lakeshore Path – from N. Park Street on the east to Oxford Road on the west – is a well used commuter route and a great way to access the Preserve. Bicycling is not allowed on any interior trails including the main Picnic Point path or paved service roads. Bicycle racks are available at all parking lots, at the Lakeshore Residence Halls, and at several locations along the east end of the Temin Lakeshore Path. There are several BCycle stations near the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. See the BCycle station map.
On foot
The best way to explore the Preserve is on foot with 12 miles of walking trails. The main path out to the tip of Picnic Point is accessible. You may encounter the occasional work vehicle on service drives used by staff and others conducting research in the Preserve.
By boat
Visiting the Preserve by canoe has long been a popular adventure. The Narrows, midway on the Picnic Point peninsula, is a convenient landing and portage spot. Beaching is allowed on sandy areas on the north side of Picnic Point; tying of boats to trees is not allowed. Canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards can be rented from Memorial Union’s Outdoor UW program. A public boat launch is located at Lot 60.
By car
Picnic Point is by far the most recognizable location in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve as well as a good base from which to explore the rest of the Preserve; Park at Lots 130, 60, or 76. Exploring the west end of the Preserve? Parking is also available at Frautschi Point (2662 Lake Mendota Drive) and Raymer’s Cove (2900 Lake Mendota Drive).