Picnic Point

Picnic Point is a picnic ground in Madison, WI, located at 2000 University Bay Dr. It is a nearly mile-long peninsula along the south shore of Lake Mendota and serves as a popular destination for students and Madisonians seeking outdoor recreation. The site is part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, which shelters natural environments and cultural resources through active learning, research, and outreach. The preserve is open daily from 4am to 10pm.

The area has a deep human history, with evidence of ancient habitations dating back at least 12,000 years. Following European-American settlement in the early 19th century, several farms were established on the Point. A farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings were constructed near the northeast corner of what is now Bill’s Woods. In the early 1900s, the farm fields were rented to tenant farmers, and the house was occupied by various families, including Professor William W. Daniells, the first superintendent of the University Farms. In 1924, Edward Young, a Madison lumberman and entrepreneur, purchased the property and renovated the old farmhouse into a 15-room mansion. He planted a large apple orchard, built a network of bridle paths that are now walking paths, and constructed a distinctive stone entrance gateway. The Young family moved into the residence in 1927. The house burned in a fire in 1935, leaving only a brick path that once led to the structure.

The location sits on University Bay Dr, about 0.1 miles from University Bay Marsh and 0.2 miles from the Edward Young House historic ruins. It is also 0.2 miles from Class of 1918 Marsh, 0.3 miles from Nielsen Tennis Stadium, 0.3 miles from University Bay, and 0.4 miles from the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

Picnic Point holds a rating of 4.80 based on 638 reviews. It stands among the strongest in its category locally and maintains a strong local reputation reflected in consistently high customer ratings.

As a distinctive feature of Madison’s lakeshore, Picnic Point offers a natural area for respite and well-being just a short distance from university life and city living.