Odana Hills Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Odana Hills Park is a popular recreational area located in Madison, Wisconsin.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
This park is known for its scenic beauty and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.
One of the main reasons to visit Odana Hills Park is for the incredible views of the surrounding area. The park covers over 72 acres and features rolling hills, forested areas, and open spaces. Visitors can hike the many trails in the area, which offer panoramic views of the city and nearby Lake Mendota.
Another popular activity in the park is golfing. Odana Hills Golf Course is a public course that offers 18 holes of golfing, as well as a driving range and putting green. Additionally, the park has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and open spaces for families to enjoy.
If you're looking for specific points of interest to see while visiting Odana Hills Park, be sure to check out the park's many natural areas. The park features several prairies, woodlands, and wetlands that are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species. Visitors can also take a stroll through the park's beautiful gardens, which feature a wide variety of plants and flowers.
Interesting facts about Odana Hills Park include that it was once a Native American campsite and that the park's forested areas are home to several species of rare and endangered plants.
The best time of year to visit Odana Hills Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors during every season. In the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.
Overall, Odana Hills Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination that is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you're a nature lover, golfer, or just looking for a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, this park is definitely worth a visit.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Badger Prairie Park DCA
|
||
Babcock County Park Campground
|
||
Andersen Preserve DCA
|
||
Token Creek County Park
|
Orchard Ridge Valley Park
Odana School Park
Zook Park
Sherwood Forest Park
Flad Park