Top 20 Lakes around Shorewood Hills

Shorewood Hills is primarily defined by its direct access to Lake Mendota, one of the largest and most prominent lakes in the Madison area. While the village itself doesn't contain multiple distinct lakes, Lake Mendota offers extensive recreational opportunities. Other significant lakes in the broader Madison area, such as Lake Wingra, are also easily accessible.

Lake Mendota offers a wide array of recreational activities year-round. During warmer months, you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. In winter, the lake transforms into a popular spot for ice fishing, ice skating, and iceboating. It's known for large fish, including pike over 40 inches and big channel catfish.

Yes, several spots are family-friendly. Lake Mendota itself is great for families, offering various water activities. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, with Lake Wingra as its centerpiece, features over 17 miles of trails suitable for family walks and exploring diverse natural areas. Lake Wingra also has multi-use paths and is a fishable lake.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum offers over 17 miles of trails through woodlands, savannas, prairies, and wetlands around Lake Wingra. Additionally, the Capital City State Trail at Monona Terrace provides a 17-mile paved multi-use path along the lake shore, offering scenic views.

Near Lake Mendota, you can visit the Picnic Point Mound Group. These ancient burial mounds, some dating back 2,000 years, reflect the rich history and cultural significance of the area's early inhabitants. Several mounds are still visible within the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

The lakes around Shorewood Hills offer activities year-round. For water sports like swimming, boating, and kayaking, the warmer months from late spring to early fall are ideal. For ice fishing, skating, and iceboating, winter is the best time. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum is open daily from 4 am to 10 pm, making it accessible for walks in any season.

Yes, Lake Wingra is noted as dog-friendly, with multi-use paths and trail networks surrounding it. Many areas within the broader Lakeshore Nature Preserve, which borders Lake Mendota, also welcome dogs on trails, though leash laws and specific restrictions may apply.

Beyond hiking, you can find various outdoor activities. For running, explore routes like the Lake Mendota – Howard Temin Lakeshore Path loop. Cyclists can enjoy road cycling routes such as the Monona Terrace View – Bench With View of Lake Monona loop. There are also options for gravel biking, including the Ice Age Trail Junction Area loop. You can find more details on these activities in the Road Cycling Routes around Shorewood Hills, Running Trails around Shorewood Hills, and Gravel biking around Shorewood Hills guides.

The Capital City State Trail at Monona Terrace is a paved multi-use path that is wheelchair accessible, offering scenic views along the lake shore. This provides an excellent opportunity for all visitors to enjoy the lakeside environment.

Visitors highly appreciate the diverse natural areas and extensive trail networks, particularly at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum. The scenic views, especially of the State Capitol dome across Lake Mendota, are also a major draw. The variety of year-round recreational opportunities, from water sports to ice activities, is also frequently enjoyed.

Yes, McKenna Park/Shorewood Hills Boathouse serves as a key access point to Lake Mendota within Shorewood Hills. It features a sunbathing beach, a pier, and a diving platform, making it a popular spot for local anglers and for accessing the lake for winter activities.

For the Capital City State Trail, a state trail pass is required to bike a nine-mile portion of the trail that passes through the Capital Springs E-way south of Madison. However, the remainder of the trail is generally free to access. For other trails, such as those in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, access is typically free, but it's always good to check local signage for any specific regulations.