Lake Monona Views and Hiking at Turville Point Conservation Park in Madison, Wisconsin

 

A Morning of Nature Exploration at Turville Point Conservation Park

Turville Point Conservation Park in Madison, WI captivated us with over 2 miles of hiking trails. We relished fantastic summer weather while exploring woodlands along the trails. Turville hugs Lake Monona and is adjacent to Olin Park featuring spectacular views. Such a wonderful spot for a little family adventure!

The Wisconsin State Capitol Building rises above Lake Monona in our view from Olin Park.

Before heading out onto the trails, we meandered around Olin Park where there is plenty of space for picnics. Lake Monona waves on in stunning fashion from the shores of Olin Park. Gorgeous! You can see the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building across the lake.

Heading to Turville Point Conservation Park

Hiking on a grassy and sandy trail through the woodlands
of Turville Point Conservation Park.

Soon, we embarked on the grass trails of Turville Point Conservation Park. Since Olin Park was sparse with trees, I thought Turville would be the same. To our delight, we soon found ourselves in an oak woodland. The trails are pretty gentle but do roll in sections.

The park was named for the Turvill (original spelling) family who originally owned a farm on the property. They moved to the farm in 1854 and focused on growing vegetables. The harvest vegetables were sold on the farm and in groceries around Madison.

Hiking the boundary between the prairie and the forest.

While sections of the preserve abut against local structures, we still felt at peace wrapped in the forest. The closer to the lake we ventured, the more at peace we felt. Seven acres of the property is a prairie adding a range of different plants and animals to the preserve. We found Turville to be a fantastic spot for birding. We enjoyed watching a group of turkeys bobble about during our visit.

Eventually, we approached Lake Monona and traced it for a while. We spied the lake through breaks in the forest. Soon, it was time to round back to the car. We left much calmer than we arrived and with an appreciation for such a splendid morning in nature.

Tips for Turville Point Conservation Park

• Make sure to keep track of trails by monitoring signs. There is a nest of trails that may cause confusion.
• Turville is known for its wealth of native species, so be on the lookout for plant and wildlife diversity.
• Restrooms can be found at Olin Park.
• Be sure to visit Olin Park as well for the view.