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Owen Conservation Park

Park · Madison

Featured in our Madison guides:Winter in Madison, WI,Hiking near Madison, WI

About this park

Owen is a 97-acre conservation park on a hilltop overlooking the west side, once the farm and retreat of UW professor Edward T. Owen. Restored prairie and oak savanna cover the land, with nearly two miles of free cross-country ski trails in winter and restrooms open year-round. Dogs aren't allowed in city conservation parks.

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MadisonWI.com guide

Parks in Madison: good to know

The City of Madison manages more than 280 parks covering nearly 6,000 acres, and Dane County runs another 19,000-plus acres of parks, wildlife areas and campgrounds. City parks are open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (conservation parks close an hour after sunset), and county parks close at 10 p.m.

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A few rules worth knowing in Madison's city parks: glass isn't allowed in any park; most parks allow alcohol in non-breakable containers, but about 20, including Brittingham, James Madison, Tenney and Law parks, are alcohol-free; and personal grills are fine in most general parks unless there's a burning ban. Conservation parks don't allow alcohol, fires or grills.

Picnic shelters are reserved online, by phone at 608-266-4711, or in person, and you pay in full when you book. Reservations for the next year open in early November, and summer weekends go fast. Dane County campgrounds (Brigham, Lake Farm, Mendota and Token Creek) also open reservations in early November through ReserveDane.

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