Olin Park
1156 Olin-Turville Ct, Madison, WI
Madison, WI
The classic view of Madison's Capitol dome and skyline mirrored across Lake Monona, from a green shore made for a picnic.
Olin Park is where Madison poses for its own postcard. From this green shore on the south side of Lake Monona, the city's skyline rises across the water, crowned by the great white dome of the State Capitol, and the whole scene doubles in the lake's reflection. It is one of the most photographed views in the city, and one of the easiest to enjoy, with lawns and shade trees running down to the water.
Beyond the view, the park is a simple and generous public space, made for picnics, strolls, and time by the lake. It anchors a stretch of Madison's lakeshore trail system, connects to the wooded Turville Point natural area next door, and hosts some of the city's biggest lakefront gatherings, including its beloved summer fireworks.
What Guests Love
- The postcard view of the Capitol dome and downtown skyline across Lake Monona
- Open lawns and shade trees made for a picnic by the water
- A launch point for the lakeshore paths that ring Lake Monona
- The adjoining Turville Point woods, a quiet natural area on the lake
Worth Knowing
- The park is a beloved spot for the annual lakefront fireworks, so expect crowds on that night
- Sunset and evening give the best light on the skyline across the water
- It connects to the Capital City and Lake Monona trails, handy for walkers and cyclists
- Facilities are seasonal, so amenities are fullest in the warm months
Details
Madison, WI
Learn about Olin Park
The view across the water
Madison sits on a narrow isthmus between two lakes, and Olin Park occupies the south shore of the smaller one, Lake Monona, looking straight back at downtown. From here the Capitol dome and the buildings of the isthmus stand up clean against the sky, reflected in the lake on a still day.
It is the sort of view that captures a city in a single frame, and locals and visitors alike come to take it in, especially as the sun drops and the skyline lights begin to glow. Few state capitals offer so clean and accessible a portrait of themselves from a public park.
A park for gathering
For all its scenic fame, Olin Park is at heart a friendly, everyday park. Broad lawns and mature shade trees roll down toward the lake, with room for picnics, ballgames, and lazy afternoons, and pavilions and gathering spaces for larger events.
The park is a favorite site for community celebrations, most famously the city's summer lakefront fireworks, when crowds spread across the grass to watch the sky light up over the water and the skyline. On such nights, the park becomes a stage for the whole city.
Trails and Turville Point
Olin Park is stitched into Madison's remarkable network of lakeshore trails. Paths lead off along the shore of Lake Monona and connect to the Capital City Trail and beyond, making the park a natural starting point for a walk or a bike ride around the water.
Right beside the park lies Turville Point Conservation Park, a wooded natural area on a point of land jutting into the lake. Its quiet trails through oak woods and along the shoreline offer a wilder counterpoint to the open lawns of Olin, all within an easy walk.
Downtown Madison across the lake
The city that fills the view is only minutes away by car or by the lakeshore path. Downtown Madison's Capitol Square, State Street, and university campus lie just across the isthmus, so a visit to Olin Park pairs easily with a fuller day in the heart of the city.
Madison's identity is bound up with its lakes, and Olin Park is one of the best places to feel that. Whether for a quick photo, a long picnic, or the start of a lakeside ramble, the park offers the city's signature landscape, water, skyline, and dome, all from a single green shore.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Madison
Turville Point Conservation Park
Adjacent
A quiet wooded point on Lake Monona with trails through oak woods and along the shoreline, next to Olin Park.
Downtown Madison and the Capitol Square
About 2 miles
The city center across the lake, with the domed statehouse, State Street, and the university.
Lake Monona Loop
From the park
A popular walking and biking route circling Lake Monona, linking parks and neighborhoods along the shore.