50 Hikes in Wisconsin: #35 – Picnic Point

*Edited to Add: I have NO idea why all the photos in this post turned sideways on me. Until I figure it out, please enjoy the slightly odd experience of viewing them all at an angle.*

As a UW-Madison graduate, I am ashamed to say that I have never been to Picnic Point until July of 2015, a full four years after I graduated.

In my defense, I never lived on campus. At the end of the day, I drove away with Madison in my rear-view headed for my own little yellow house out in the valley. I had my own space: I didn’t need to find it in downtown Madison.

So I never made it to Picnic Point until this last weekend. And let me tell you: had I lived on campus, this would have been my spot. A tree-lined, gently walking path, plenty of seating along that way that just beckoned for a girl and a good book… this would have been the slice of get-a-way paradise I would have needed back then.

It was a lovely walk, an easy walk, filled with little paths that jutted off to the water every so often, a small stretch of sandy beach, and several places to strike up a campfire. I took all these photos with my iPhone, so be gentle when you judge. :)

And the best part of the hike? When you’re done you can walk, drive, or take the 80 bus down to Memorial Union Terrace for brats, fries, and beer with friends. And sunsets like this one.

This was our 4th hike out of our “50 Hikes in Wisconsin” book. I’ll share hikes 2 & 3 once I get the photos edited, and the hilarious, could-have-been-so-so-bad story about hike #5 soon thereafter.

Have you ever sat out on “the Terrace” as everyone loves to call it here in Madison? It’s lovely, isn’t it? 

(and if you haven’t, you are totally invited to my city and I will buy you a beer while we watch people sail around Lake Mendota. Promise.)