By:
Submission
The vision for McCarthy Youth and Conservation Park began in 1974 with a donation of 180 acres of land that was owned by Russell and Ella McCarthy. The McCarthys’ primary goal was for the park to become“a place where kids from the city could learn about nature.” The park offers a group camp, hiking, cross-country skiing, equestrian trails and camping, picnic opportunities, and a beautiful prairie/wetland restoration.
There are two separate group camps at McCarthy.
McCarthy Group Campsite
Group Camp area for up to 50 people situated on top of wooded glacial drumlin adjacent to Maunesha River. Connection to hiking trails. Scattered level wooded camping areas. Located~ 1 mile from the park entrance through a gated access road– road is part of the hiking trail system. Ranger will open gate. No potable water at this time Vault(pit) toilet Picnic tables Campfire ring No electricity No shelter Vehicle parking in parking lot at base of the hill below the Group Camp site
McCarthy Equestrian Group Campsite
Located~.6 miles from the park entrance access through road gate– road is part of the hiking trail system. Ranger will open gate. Camping setup for self-contained camping units No potable water at this time Your group may rent a portable toilet(from a vendor of your choice) if needed. Picnic tables. Hitching posts. Campfire rings. No electricity. No shelter. Vehicle parking in parking lot at base of the hill below the group camp site
Reserve a campsite online here: https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/widanectywt.wsc/splash.html
Check opening and closing dates here: https://www.danecountyparks.com/about/Parks-Opening-Closing-Schedule
See campground rules here: https://www.danecountyparks.com/about/rules
Wisconsin open spaces are a treasure . This is one of them .
Love this park! The trails offer sun & shade as well as seclusion.
Dog permits are required and there are horse trails, so use discretion when bringing your puppers along with you. The bathrooms are clean and there are multiple throughout the park. Great summer sunset view at the bottom of the hill.
Great county park especially for xc skiing, snow shoeing and sledding
This place has the best free sledding hill I've ever been too. Just steep enough to get some speed, not so long too walk up, nice and wide, free off trees, and accessible parking. We had a blast!
A cross country skier/snowshoer’s paradise. I hiked the whole thing today in all of its muddy and slushy glory (it’s March, so it’s understandable) and I can says it’s not amazing for hikers (like myself) but I can see this being a great place to ski or run. 90% prairie with a hint of woods. Not much in the way of features (like creeks, rivers, cliffs, hills, rocks). It’s pretty much all prairie, but a free park and well taken care of. Dogs allowed on leashes.
