Madison Scenic Park
Rate this placeNearby: Japanese Gardens Park Bigelow Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Madison Scenic Park is a popular tourist destination located in Washington State.
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Summary
The park is known for its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and breathtaking views. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking.
One of the main attractions in Madison Scenic Park is the Mount Ellinor Trail. This challenging hike offers stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding forests. Other popular trails in the park include the Upper and Lower Lena Lake trails, which offer more moderate hikes through dense forests and along scenic lakes.
The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and elk. Visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from these animals and to respect their natural habitats.
Interesting facts about Madison Scenic Park include that it was once used as a logging area and was later designated as a protected wilderness area in 1984. The park covers over 60,000 acres and is named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
The best time to visit Madison Scenic Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the hiking trails are open. Visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures at higher elevations and should bring appropriate clothing and gear for their outdoor activities.
Overall, Madison Scenic Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and challenging hiking trails, it offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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