Wandering the Paths of the University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum

Wandering the Paths of the University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum

University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum's many paths help visitors entirely ensconce themselves in nature including woodlands, prairies, savannas and wetlands. The arboretum is a mix of remnants of original ecosystems as well as restorations of native ecosystems that had been altered by development. The goal is to represent the original Wisconsin. So, a visit is an adventure through some of the landscapes native to the state.

If the Visitor Center is open, it is a great place to start.

We grabbed a map at the Visitor Center and headed out onto the trails. Adjacent to the Visitor Center, we discovered gardens and a prairie area. We also found a thirteen-lined ground squirrel nibbling away!

Adorable thirteen-lined ground squirrel nibbling.

A variety of wooded paths beckoned. There really is something magical about being surrounded by trees! Trees represented include sugar maples, beech, basswood, birch, hemlock and more.

Welcoming forested path beckoning for adventure.

While wandering, we did discover some wetlands. We enjoyed spying on an assemblage of ducks savoring a quiet afternoon.

Ducks enjoying a quiet pond.

The concept of an arboretum for University of Wisconsin - Madison was first devised in 1911 by landscape architect John Nolen. Michael Olbrich and the Madison Parks and Pleasure Drive Association championed the idea as they began to raise funds to preserve open lands for the public. The initial 246 acres were acquired in 1932. In just two years, the Arboretum grew to 500 acres. Now, the Arboretum encompasses 1,200 acres.

We spent a couple of hours savoring the paths through the Arboretum. The preserve has a nice number of ecosystems which will certainly create unique experiences throughout the seasons.

University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum maintains 17 miles of trails. So, there are plenty of avenues to wander. The Arboretum also hosts a number of events including free hikes. In the winter, some paths are available for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum is quite a treasure that treats nature lovers to many explorations in nature's splendors!