Skip to content
MadisonWI.com

Nearby towns

Things to do in DeForest, WI: the Upper Yahara River, trails and holiday events

DeForest is a village just north of Madison, platted in 1856 and once a main stop on the Madison–Portage railroad. Today its standout is the Upper Yahara River, with a paddling route, a riverside trail and a trout stream right in town. Checked with the Village of DeForest and Dane County Parks in November 2026.

Checked against official sources · Updated November 2, 2026

The Upper Yahara River

  • Paddling: the village and the Friends of the Yahara River Headwaters maintain a canoe and kayak water trail with launches at Veterans Memorial Park, Western Green Park, Innovation Drive and Windsor Road. The river is very shallow, so kayaks work best, and boats can bottom out unless the water is high.
  • On foot or bike: the Upper Yahara River Trail runs about 2.7 miles one way from Sunfish Pond, 4590 Windsor Rd. (where you park), to South Street, on porous asphalt and boardwalk with benches and a bike repair station.
  • Wildlife: this stretch of the Yahara became a Class II trout stream in 2024, a DNR survey found 19 fish species including brown trout, and more than 100 bird species have been seen along the corridor.

Parks

  • Western Green Park: a 0.75-mile paved prairie loop that ties into the village trails, plus a kayak launch.
  • Conservancy Commons Park, 6822 Yellowwood Ln.: an accessible park with a bike trail.
  • Marvin and Marie Schweers Dog Park, 700 N. Stevenson St.: about 5 fenced acres with separate small-dog, large-dog and timid-dog areas. A village tag is required; visitors from outside DeForest pay $3 a day or $20 a year.
  • Token Creek County Park: just south of Windsor off Highway 51, with 418 acres, a 37-site campground, 27-hole disc golf, a big dog park and ski, snowshoe and horse trails.
  • See our hiking guide and pets guide for more.

Food, drink, hockey and the library

  • Young Blood Beer Co. DeForest Taproom, 4181 Savannah Dr.: the Madison brewery's DeForest taproom pours its beer plus cocktails and wine, with a food menu and two patios overlooking an outdoor rink. See our breweries guide.
  • Madison Capitols hockey: the USHL junior hockey team moves into the new LEGACY20 Arena at DeForest Yards, with its first game there on November 13, 2026. See our sports guide.
  • DeForest Area Public Library, 203 Library St.: open Monday to Thursday 9 to 8, Friday and Saturday 9 to 5, and Sunday 1 to 5.

Events

  • Candlelight Hike: Friday, November 13, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., on the candlelit loop at Western Green Park, with s'mores and cocoa.
  • Love Local: Shop Local: November 28 to December 5, 2026. See our holiday shopping guide.
  • Community Holiday Tree Lighting: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., at Fireman's Park, 300 Jefferson St.
  • Summer: a Tuesday farmers market at Fireman's Park from June into October, the Dragon Art Fair (June 5, 2027), a free Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, and Yahara Riverfest, complete with a rubber duck race.
  • See our events calendar for more.

Tips from readers

Know something that would help a neighbor? Be the first to share a tip.

Share a tip

Keep reading

Sources

Rules and dates can change. Check the official source before you rely on them, and suggest a correction if something is out of date.