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Things to do in Oregon, WI: Anderson Farm, the Badger State Trail and downtown

Oregon is a village of about 11,700 people a short drive south of Madison; the chamber puts the Capitol and the UW about 15 minutes away. It has a walkable historic downtown, a big county park on its south edge and a state rail-trail running through town. Checked with the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce, Dane County Parks and the Wisconsin DNR in November 2026.

Checked against official sources · Updated November 2, 2026

Parks and trails

  • Anderson Farm County Park: about 310 acres just south of the village, with woodland trails, a paved bike trail into town, community gardens, picnic areas, snowshoeing and a 34-acre off-leash dog park with a separate small-dog area. Dogs need a Dane County permit.
  • Badger State Trail: a 40-mile, year-round rail-trail from Madison to the Illinois border that passes through Oregon; the nearest trailhead is near Purcell and Borchert roads. Bikers 16 and older need a state trail pass. See our getting around guide.
  • Keller Alpine Meadows Park, 460 Netherwood St.: about 109 acres with a 2-mile paved path, wetlands, a bridge and a bike fix-it station. Next door, Lerner Conservation Park adds trails and an outdoor classroom.
  • Village parks: Jaycee Community Park has pickleball, ball diamonds, a playground and prairie, and Kiser Fireman's Park has a skate park, tennis courts and softball diamonds. Dogs also have the village-run Jon Blanchard Dog Park, with its own village tags.

Downtown

  • Walking tour: the chamber's Rotary Trails brochure maps a self-guided walk through Oregon's historic districts, with a short history of the village.
  • Coffee: Firefly Coffeehouse, 114 N. Main St., serves specialty coffee, baked goods and lunch downtown.
  • Oregon Public Library, 200 N. Alpine Pkwy.: the new building opened in January 2024 at about three times the size of the old one, with drive-through pickup. It's open Monday to Thursday 9 to 8, Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 9 to 3.

Events

  • Oregon Tree Lighting: Oregon Area Fire & EMS lights the village tree each early December at Waterman Triangle Park downtown. Check the chamber calendar for this year's date.
  • Candlelight Walk and Bonfire: an annual winter evening hosted by the Anderson Park Friends at Anderson Farm County Park.
  • Oregon Summer Fest has ended: the chamber says 2025 was the last one.
  • See our events calendar and holiday season guide for more.

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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.