(Pictured above is the Yahara River Trail)



(Pictured above is the Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds)

1. Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds

1. Visit the historic, sacred grounds of Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds, near Ft. Atkinson. The 11 remaining mounds here were built by people living the region between 700 - 1100 A.D. Wisconsin has the highest number of effigy mounds of state in the U.S. and the World for that matter.

2. Wisconsin's First State Capitol, Belmont

Tour the grounds of Wisconsin's First State Capitol, Belmont. On April 20, 1836 President Jackson signed a bill creating the Wisconsin Territory. Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin comprised of this territory governed by Henry Dodge. Find two remaining structures (the Council House, where the legislators met, and the Supreme Court House,) under the purview of the Wisconsin State Historical Society in what remains of Belmont. Belmont is located Northeast of Platteville on Hwy 151.

3. Magnolia Bluff, Evansville

Hike Rock County's second highest point, Magnolia Bluff, for a great view of Southern Wisconsin. Located, just south of Evansville go south on Old 92 for about three miles, then west on Highway 59 1 mile, then south on N. Croak Road 0.5 miles to the park entrance.

4. Historic Downtown Janesville, Janesville

Stroll the two block, riverwalk and historic downtown Janesville. The city of Janesville is home to more than 80 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) spread across four historic districts.

5. Milton College, Milton

Wander the historic grounds of one of America's great abolitionist institutions Milton College, Milton. Often overshadowed by the Milton House (the only standing structure of Wisconsin's role in the Underground Railroad) Milton College was established in 1844 as an academy by abolitionist, Joseph Goodrich. Notable Milton College graduates include former NFL, quarterback Dave Krieg and Hollywood actor, Kerwin Williams. 

6. Lower Yahara River Trail, Madison/McFarland

The Lower Yahara River Trailis a 2.5 mile stretch of boardwalk that connects the suburb of McFarland to Madison.an accessible fishing pier, rest stops, and observation areas with picturesque views. Careful consideration was made during construction to ensure Native American artifacts were not disturbed.

Users can access the Lower Yahara River Trail from the Capital City Trail at the Lewis Nine Springs E-Way parking lot at 1949 Moorland Rd., Madison, WI 53711. The McDaniel Park entrance in McFarland is located at 4806 McDaniel Ln., McFarland, WI 53558. The Lussier Family Heritage Center is located at 3101 Lake Farm Rd., Madison, WI 53711.

7. Bird Watching, The Arboretum, Madison

Bird watch at the University of Wisconsin's world renowned, Arboretum, Madison. Located in the heart of the city, this 1200 acre park, is the oldest, experimental forest preserve in the world. Choose from dense pine, oak, maple forest, to open restored prairie and several gardens including the rolling lush grounds of UW's outdoor classroom where you can see various tree species. Each tree on the grounds has its' own identifier metal tag, you might Dutch Elm or Ash two species that succumbed to the stresses of urban living but that are very much alive and well here.

8. Downtown Cooksville, Cooksville

Tour an entire town listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Cooksville Ever dreamed of visiting a quaint, New England town without leaving Wisconsin? You don't need to wander far Historic Cooksville is just a quick drive from downtown Edgerton. It is surprising most Southern Wisconsinites don't take advantage of this fun little day trip.

9. Fish Hatchery, Lake Mills

Visit an active fish hatchery, near downtown Lake Mills

(Picture above is the Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF))

10. The Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit, Whitewater

Hike the enchanting wilderness of Wisconsin's famous Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF), Southern Unit, Whitewater. At over 22,000 acres of forest, KMSF's Southern Unit offers bountiful 
opportunities to recreate and stay safe.

11. Fish Camp County Park - McFarland

Located at the confluence of the Yahara River and Lake Kegonsa this 99-acre park is a great place to have a picnic and take a trip back in time. In 1934, the Wisconsin Conservation Department (WCD) established the Fish Camp Launch as a base for removing carp which were introduced by Western European settlers in the late 1800s.. Many of the buildings from the time period as well as educational signage along the way. There is also a boat launch and dock and places in the park to picnic.. 

Fish Camp County Park is located at 3383 Fish Camp Road, Mc Farland WI.



12. Monona Terrace - Madison

Never a man to shy away from controversy even in death one of the Frank Lloyd Wright's last projects, Monona Terrace faced heated debate and political obstacles. Originally designed by the architect in 1947, the building was finally completed in 1997 with a bit of revisions mostly to accommodate America's car obsessed culture. Like any great work of art Monona Terrace is experiential, it evokes emotion and transports you to a place that only great architects can take you. If you don't obsess about the wide sweeping views afforded from the building's main convention floor and rooftop you might just meander about guided by the curvilinear forms of the interior stairways and towering exterior walls. Monona Terrace is free and open to the public, even during conventions though your wanderings might be restricted in some areas. There are free places to park in downtown Madison choose residential areas for that, or if you can go on Sunday parking is free everywhere.

One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI.

(Pictured Above is Clarence Covered Bridge a 1984 Replica of the Original, Brodhead)

13. Sugar River Trail/Badger State Trail - Brodhead, Belleville, New Glarus

You can make the entire 23 mile trek from Brodhead to New Glarus by bike or hike but if you don't have the time or where with all #13 on o our list of great free attractions in Southern Wisconsin offers not one but two very destination worthy stops along the Sugar River Trail. The 1st selfe-worthy stop is the Clarence Covered Bridge located just northwest of Brodhead near County Hwy E.  Very few of these historic bridges remain in Wisconsin and this is the only one still standing in our region.

Technically this should be our 14th great free attraction but we chose to group it with Clarence Covered Bridge as they are close to each other. This second selfie-worthy stop is former train tunnel known as the Stewart Tunnel AKA the Belleville Tunnel is located near the connection between the Badger State Trail and the Sugar River Trail. Start with a visit to the historic Belleville depot and then head 4 miles southwest along the trail. The tunnel is quite an engineering feat as it pierces through 1200 feet of solid rock. Make sure to bring a flashlight if you plan to venture from one end of the tunnel to the other. The Stewart Tunnel is located near the intersection of County HWY CC and Tunnel Road.

(Pictured below is the entrance to the Stewart Tunnel)

(The Stewart Tunnel on the Sugar River Trail temporarily closed)