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Things to do in McFarland, WI: Lake Waubesa, the boardwalk trail and Babcock Park

McFarland is a lake village on the east shore of Lake Waubesa, the next lake down the Yahara River chain from Lake Monona. Its big draw is the water, and since 2017 you can bike or walk there from Madison on a boardwalk across the lake. Checked with the Village of McFarland, Dane County Parks and local organizers in November 2026.

Checked against official sources · Updated November 2, 2026

The Lower Yahara River Trail

  • The boardwalk: the Lower Yahara River Trail links Madison and McFarland with a nearly 2.5-mile off-road route, including a one-mile boardwalk bridge across Lake Waubesa with a fishing pier, rest stops and lookouts. Dane County calls it the longest inland boardwalk bridge built only for non-motorized travel in North America.
  • Getting on: the Madison end meets the Capital City Trail; the McFarland end is at McDaniel Park. The trail is free, with no trail pass, but pets aren't allowed on the boardwalks or bridges.
  • Going farther: a second stretch, opened in 2024, runs 1.6 miles between Fish Camp County Park and Lake Kegonsa State Park, with a 2-mile on-road route connecting it to McFarland. See our getting around and running guides.

Lake Waubesa parks

  • McDaniel Park, 4806 McDaniel Ln.: a pea-gravel beach at the northeast end of the lake, with parking, restrooms and a shelter you can reserve. Public Health Madison & Dane County tests the water from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and swimming is at your own risk.
  • Babcock County Park: a 37-acre county park where the Yahara River leaves Lake Waubesa, with a fishing pier, fish cleaning station, canoe and kayak launch, a paved trail and a 25-site campground with electricity. There's a lock and dam on the river here, with a canoe portage for when the lock is closed. Heads up: Highway 51 reconstruction is expected to close the boat launch from this winter through July 2027 and the campground for the 2027 season; it's expected to reopen in 2028.
  • Village parks: Arnold Larson Park has a bike path and green space, and Brandt Park has a ball diamond and basketball. Dogs have the McFarland Dog Park. For more water, see our lakes guide.

History and the library

  • McFarland Historical Society, 5814 Main St.: a history museum, log cabin and annex, open Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through September.
  • Larson House Museum, 6003 Exchange St.: keeps the same summer Sunday hours, opens again in December, and its gardens are open year-round.
  • E.D. Locke Public Library, 5920 Milwaukee St.: book clubs, a craft club, a bridge club and family programs. Family Game Day is Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the library is closed November 26 to 28 for Thanksgiving.

Events

  • McFarland Community Festival: the village's big annual fall festival, with a parade, carnival and beer tent. It ran from 1985 as the McFarland Family Festival and took its new name in 2022; the 2025 festival was the last weekend of September. Watch the festival's site for next year's dates.
  • McFarland Caring Quilts Gallery & Reception: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon, at the library.
  • See our events calendar for more around the area.

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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.