Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
These are the previously published dates. Check the organizer for a new edition.
Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗Nature Hike at UW–Madison Arboretum takes a wide view of seasonal change
Plants, animals and fungi share the bill at the UW–Madison Arboretum’s Nature Hike, a 90-minute walk geared for adults. The November outing offers an introduction to the living landscape rather than a tour focused on a single species.
The landscape over time
Alongside the land and its organisms, the hike’s subjects include ecology and phenology: the study of when seasonal events occur in nature. That gives the walk a way to consider not only what lives in a place, but how the timing of natural changes shapes a year.
Across the Arboretum, more than 17 miles of trails connect visitors with habitats ranging from restored prairie and savanna to woodland and wetland. Those are possibilities on the wider grounds, not a promised itinerary for this hike; its particular route has not been announced.
Further reading: Nature Hike | UW Arboretum ↗ · Trails | UW Arboretum ↗
A different pace later in November
The Nature Hike may include slopes. Visitors looking for another format can consider the separate Scenic Stroll on November 22, described by the Arboretum as a gently paced, one-hour walk near the Visitor Center. Its routes are wheelchair accessible when weather permits; that accessibility description applies to the stroll, not the November 8 hike.
Further reading: Nature Hike | UW Arboretum ↗ · Events | UW Arboretum ↗
Sunday, November 8, 2026 · UW–Madison Arboretum; meet at the Visitor Center
- Nature Hike
Preparing for the hike
Shoes and weather
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and prepare for the weather. Trails can be uneven, muddy, icy or flooded; the Arboretum cancels walks when conditions are unsafe.
Ask about the route
The hike may cover slopes, and its route accessibility is not specified. For questions, contact the Arboretum at 608-263-7888 or [email protected].
Protect the habitat
Stay on paths to protect plants and wildlife habitat. Pets are not permitted; service animals are allowed as provided by law.
Getting to the Visitor Center
Entrance and parking
Meet at the Visitor Center. The Arboretum’s main entrance is at 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison; the center and main parking lots are one mile inside. For GPS, 2880 Longenecker Drive works in most mapping services, though it is not a mailing address.
The Visitor Center is accessible, and the main lot has five accessible parking spaces. These facilities do not establish the accessibility of the hike route.
Nature Hike | UW Arboretum ↗ · Visitor Center | UW Arboretum ↗ · Getting Here | UW Arboretum ↗
Bus and bicycle
There is no bus service to the Visitor Center itself, although Madison Metro stops are on or near Arboretum entrances. A BCycle station is at the Visitor Center parking lot; bicycles are allowed on paved roads, not trails.
Before you make a plan
Do I need to register for the Nature Hike?
No. The walk is free and registration is not required.
Is the hike wheelchair accessible?
The walk may cover slopes, and its route accessibility is not specified. Contact the Arboretum at 608-263-7888 or [email protected] to ask about the route.
What happens if conditions are unsafe?
The Arboretum cancels outdoor walks for unsafe conditions, including thunderstorms and excessively snowy, icy or muddy conditions. Its policy also lists extreme temperature and air-quality thresholds.
Location & Google Maps
UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711-3726
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.