Pheasant Branch Conservatory

It’s springtime, and I can’t stop thinking of all the trails we went on last spring and summer. I have to admit Pheasant Branch is the most visited park in Madison. As we approach the Hike It Baby 30 challenge in April, I feel excited to get outdoors and smell the flowers. Hike it Baby 30 is a 30-day, membership-based family challenge to encourage families across the globe to get their babies and children outside for 30 miles in 30 days or 30 minutes three times a week; we have completed over nine challenges so far since 2015.

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a regionally significant natural area located on the north side of Middleton, Wisconsin. It contains a marsh with open water, springs, prairies, meadows, lowland forest, and wooded hills. These habitats sustain various plants and animals, including some threatened or endangered.

The trail is best explored by bicycle and follows the meandering Pheasant Branch Creek. Some are shaded, and some are in the sun. All are relatively flat unless you attempt the hill at the north end.

This park is fantastic for parking lots and has a playground for kids—a small covered shelter with restrooms, picnic tables, and water fountains. You can park at the Middleton City Park-Orchid Park and then pick up the trails from there or go to the Branch Street trailhead for a different set of trails. One time we were on this trail, we saw a real Pheasant on the trail from a distance; this got to be the west side  hidden gem,

Wildflowers around spring and summer are just a catch on this trail.

Also, find the hidden spring; a small trail leads down the hill toward the trees. Once there, you’ll discover the sizeable ice-cold spring coming out of the ground!

Every time I’m in this park, I’m lucky to find the sandhill crane on the field.

Directions & Map of Middleton

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is located in Middleton, Wisconsin, at the northwest corner of Lake Mendota. Heading west (left) from Allen Boulevard on Century Avenue, two signed trailheads lead north into the conservancy, both between Allen Boulevard and Pheasant Branch Street. Heading east from Allen Boulevard on Century Avenue will take you to two other trailheads leading into the conservancy: one at the north end of Marina Drive and one off of Highland Way, both north of Century Avenue

Address: 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd, Middleton, WI 53562

Trail distance: 3.4 mi. With a toddler, you can complete this trail within  2 hrs because of all the exciting things to see. It’s stroller-friendly, and I highly recommend this trail to all families and new moms getting into hiking; you can bring a carrier and stroller simultaneously.  An adult pace you can complete in 45 min

https://parks-lwrd.countyofdane.com/park/PheasantBranchCreekConservancy