Yahara Heights County Park

Great little park with scenic walks along the river plus a 20 acre dog park. Winter snowshoeing destination

Great place to commune with nature, spring, summer, winter or fall. Piles of hiking trails, gorgeous landscapes of rolling WI prairies dotted with ample patches of forested hills. Also affords some uncommon vantage points for scenic vistas of north shore of Lake Mendota, with the isthmus in the far distance.
A fence enclosure dog park is adjacent to main hiking area. The dog park allows dogs to free run, WITH OWNER SUPERVISION. However, the several hundred acre main area of Yahara Heights Park only allows dogs if on leash at all times. Please respect this POSTED info, or the privilege of leashed dog walking in the greater area will be eliminated.
Dane County Park has made clear in it's public outreach, media, & signage over many years that some individuals are quite egregious in complete lack of leashing of their animal companions repeatedly, in clearly signed areas, with repeat notice/reminders from park staff. If people begin to abuse the privilege again, for leashed dog walking in the main Yahara Heights hiking area, it is quite likely this privilege will permanently end. This is because of the numerous complaints from visitors and landowners in the immediate vicinity in the recent past.
Summary: Enjoy this invaluable resource responsibly, and follow the reasonable & minimal guidelines for users, & this resource will be accessible to all, forever.

The park is well taken care of. We take our dog here often and the people and dogs have always had positive interactions.

We love this hike. We start at the River Rd parking lot and hike to the dog park, at M and 113. There are some nice hills, some beautiful meadows, a small pine grove and the trail borders on the Yahara River. We usually get about 7 miles, out and back. Of course, you can do as much, or little, as you want to hike. Enjoy!
Oh, and there is a port-a-potty at the dog park. I would suggest they put one on River Rd too.