ENJOY A FREE FUN WEEKEND IN YOUR LOCAL PARKS
January 14, 2026
Land & Water Resources
Contacts:
Joleen Stinson, Parks Director
(608) 224-3730
stinson.joleen@countyofdane.com
Lael Pascual, Engagement & Visitor Services Manager
(608) 220-7509
pascual.lael@countyofdane.com
Dane County Parks and City of Madison Parks are offering a permit-free weekend Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, 2025. Winter activities that normally require a permit will be free so Dane County Park visitors can try out new recreation options.
“Winter is a great time to experience our parks in new ways,” said Joleen Stinson, Parks Director. “By waiving permit fees for the weekend, we’re inviting people to try activities they may not have done before and discover how much Dane County parks have to offer year-round.”
"Access to nature is essential to the health and well-being of our community,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “This free weekend invites everyone to explore the parks and outdoor spaces that make our county special."
Dane County residents and visitors can explore the following recreation options for free January 17 and 18:
Dog Parks: The Dane County Park system has eight off-leash dog parks each with its own unique features and terrain. All dogs must be legally licensed with their municipality, vaccinated and follow all dog park rules.
Biking & Mountain Biking: Dane County has over 100 miles of shared-use bike trails that connect communities, parks and natural resource areas. We offer single-track mountain bike trails at three locations throughout the year (including winter).
Lake Access: Dane County lakes offer abundant opportunities for ice fishing. There are several lake access sites where you can park to easily access the ice. This weekend is also the Wisconsin DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend so it’s a great opportunity to try ice fishing. If you want more help learning to ice fish, the county has a Learn to Ice Fish program coming up on Feb 7.
Cross-country Skiing: The Dane County Park system has several parks with groomed cross-country ski trails. Trails will be groomed if there is at least four inches of snow and consistent freezing temperatures. If we get sufficient snow, the trails will be opened and groomed for the weekend. Trail status can be found on our Trail Conditions webpage: https://www.danecountyparks.com/recreation/trail-conditions
Other activities that never require a permit:
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking: Snowshoeing and winter hiking is allowed on or off-trail at all Dane County Park properties except on designated cross-country ski trails when snow is present even if they have not yet been groomed. Some parks have signed snowshoe trails to help with navigation.
Sledding: The Dane County Park System has four parks with public sledding hills. These range from short and gentle slopes that are great for younger kids to steeper hill. For your safety, and to uphold the quality of our landscapes, please do not use the sledding hills without sufficient snow base.
The Dane County Park System does not require an entry fee and is always free to visit. Some activities require a permit and the fees help us maintain amenities for those activates. If you try out a permitted activity this weekend and enjoy it, you can purchase a daily or annual pass online from www.reservedane.com.
For more information, please visit the Winter Recreation page at www.danecountyparks.com/winter and Madison Parks Winter Fun at cityofmadison.com/parks/winterfun.