Lake Wingra is the best place to paddle board in Madison for beginners: it’s the smallest and most sheltered of the city’s lakes, with rentals at Wingra Park and the UW Arboretum along much of its shore. For the most scenic paddle, launch on Lake Monona and paddle toward Monona Terrace and the Capitol, or rent on Monona Bay at Brittingham Park.
Madison works for paddling because the city is built around water. Downtown sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, and the city runs more than a dozen free canoe and kayak launches, which it says are open to paddle boards too. A 200-foot slow-no-wake zone along the shores of the big lakes keeps the edges calmer than the middle.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Lake Wingra, renting from Wingra Boats at Wingra Park.
- Downtown views: Monona Bay from Brittingham Park, or Lake Monona from B.B. Clarke Beach.
- Big-lake paddle: Lake Mendota from James Madison Park, on a calm morning only.
- A river: the upper Yahara River through Cherokee Marsh, a slow-no-wake stretch on the north side of town.
- Cheapest: any of the city’s designated canoe and kayak launches, which don’t need a permit. The main boat launches on Monona and Mendota do.
The best places to paddle board in Madison
Lake Wingra
Directions
Best for: beginners, families, a nature paddle. Flat water.
Lake Wingra is the smallest of the five lakes on the Yahara River system, on the south-west side of the city. The UW–Madison Arboretum lines its south and west shores and Vilas Park and Wingra Park sit on the north side, so most of the shoreline is public land and trees, not houses. Its small size means it rarely builds the chop you get on Mendota.
Where to launch: Wingra Park and Boat Livery (824 Knickerbocker Street) or Vilas Park (1602 Vilas Park Drive). Neither needs a Lake Access Permit. There’s no trailer parking at either.
Rentals and lessons: Wingra Boats, run by Madison Boats at Wingra Park, rents paddle boards, kayaks and canoes. Madison Boats lists single paddle boards at around $16 for the first hour and $12 for each hour after, at the time of writing.
Good to know: The lake is known for its fishing, including spring runs of large muskies. Watch for anglers’ lines along the shore.
Monona Bay (Brittingham Park)
Directions
Best for: easy city paddling with skyline views. Flat water.
Monona Bay is the sheltered bay at the west end of Lake Monona, cut off from the main lake by the John Nolen Drive causeway. It’s a short walk from downtown, and the shoreline is a mix of park and homes.
Where to launch: The Brittingham Park canoe and kayak launch (829 West Washington Avenue). No permit needed. The pier near the Brittingham shelter stays in year-round.
Rentals and lessons: Brittingham Boats (701 West Brittingham Place), also run by Madison Boats, rents paddle boards, kayaks and canoes in season.
Good to know: Boats pass under the John Nolen Drive bridges to reach the main lake. If you paddle out that way, stay to the side and give them room.
Lake Monona (B.B. Clarke Beach)
Directions
Best for: views of Monona Terrace and the Capitol. Open lake water, can get choppy.
Lake Monona is the second largest of Madison’s chain of lakes and forms the south shore of the downtown isthmus. From the water you get the classic view of the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Monona Terrace with the Capitol dome behind it.
Where to launch: B.B. Clarke Beach Park (835 Spaight Street) on the isthmus has a designated canoe and kayak launch, with no permit needed. Esther Beach, Hudson Park and Paunack Park are other free launches on Monona. Law Park, Olbrich Park and Olin Park need a Lake Access Permit.
What to avoid: Monona is a busy boating lake on summer weekends. Stay inside the 200-foot slow-no-wake zone along the shore, where boats have to go slow.
Good to know: Olin Park’s canoe and kayak launch puts you on Wingra Creek, which connects Lake Wingra to Lake Monona.
Lake Mendota
Directions
Best for: experienced paddlers on calm days. Open lake water.
Lake Mendota is the largest and northernmost of Madison’s lakes, with the UW campus and Memorial Union terrace on its south shore. It’s a big, open lake, and when the wind blows the waves build quickly. Go early on a calm morning and stay near the shore.
Where to launch: James Madison Park (614 East Gorham Street) is a free canoe and kayak launch downtown. Tenney Park, Marshall Park, Spring Harbor and Warner Park have boat launches that need a Lake Access Permit, at $8 a day in 2026.
Rentals and lessons: Marshall Boats at Marshall Park (2101 Allen Boulevard), on the west shore, rents paddle boards in several sizes, from kids’ boards to giant group boards. It’s open 10 am to 9 pm daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Good to know: UW–Madison runs a research buoy on Mendota that reports live wind and water temperature during the open-water season. Check it before you go.
Upper Yahara River (Cherokee Marsh)
DirectionsBest for: a quiet river paddle through marsh. Slow river current.
North of Lake Mendota, the Yahara River winds through Cherokee Marsh, a large wetland conservation park on the north side of the city. The city has designated the upper Yahara above Highway 113 as slow-no-wake at all times, which makes it a calm place to paddle and watch birds.
Where to launch: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – South (boat launch at 5002 School Road, canoe and kayak launch at 802 Wheeler Road). Neither needs a Lake Access Permit, and the pier stays in year-round.
Good to know: Bring your own board; there are no rentals here. The river is narrow, so watch for fishing boats coming around bends.
When to go
Madison’s paddling season runs from late spring, after the ice goes out, to early fall.
- Summer (June–August): warmest water and all the rental shops open. The UW buoy on Lake Mendota has recorded surface water above 86°F in hot spells. Check the live readings before you go.
- Late spring and fall: water is cold, especially right after ice-out. Wear a wetsuit and stay near shore. Our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to tell you what to wear.
- Time of day: mornings are usually calmest. Wind builds on Mendota and Monona through the afternoon.
- Algae: in late summer, blue-green algae blooms can close beaches. Public Health Madison & Dane County posts closures; avoid paddling through scummy, green water, and don’t let your dog drink it.
Planning a longer paddle along the lakes? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Madison
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a paddle board must carry a wearable, correctly sized life jacket for each person on board. Wisconsin doesn’t require children to wear one on inland lakes like Madison’s (federal rules require it for under-13s on federal waters such as Lake Michigan), but the DNR’s advice is simple: wear it. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Light after dark: carry a white light, such as a flashlight or headlamp, if you’re out after sunset.
- Slow-no-wake zone: Dane County sets a slow-no-wake zone 200 feet out from the shores of Mendota and Monona. Boats should be slow there, but don’t count on it; stay visible.
- Lake Access Permit: required to launch at Law, Olbrich, Olin, Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney and Warner parks ($8 a day in 2026, or an annual permit). The city’s other canoe and kayak launches, plus Wingra and Vilas parks, are free.
- Tenney Lock: if you paddle between Mendota and Monona on the Yahara, you need a Tenney Lock permit from Dane County, and the lock only runs during staffed hours.
- Clean, drain, dry: Wisconsin law requires you to remove plants and animals from your board and drain any water before you leave a launch.
- Parking: at city launches, the long stalls are for vehicles with trailers. Park in a regular stall, and don’t park on the grass.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Madison?
Lake Wingra. Rent from Wingra Boats at Wingra Park, or launch your own board for free at Wingra Park or Vilas Park. The lake is small and sheltered compared with Mendota and Monona.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Madison?
Only at some launches. You need a Lake Access Permit at the main boat launches on Monona (Law, Olbrich, Olin) and Mendota (Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner). The city’s other canoe and kayak launches are free.
Where can I rent a paddle board in Madison?
Madison Boats runs three rental sites: Wingra Boats on Lake Wingra, Brittingham Boats on Monona Bay and Marshall Boats on Lake Mendota.
Can I paddle board on Lake Mendota?
Yes, but it’s Madison’s biggest and windiest lake. Go on a calm morning, stay close to shore, and wear your life jacket. Check the UW buoy’s live wind readings first.
When is paddle board season in Madison?
Roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day for rentals, and from ice-out in spring to late fall for your own board, as long as you dress for cold water.
More paddling near Madison
Not sure which board to rent or buy? Our Board Fitter suggests a size for your weight and the water you’ll paddle. For the best weather to head out, see the best conditions for paddle boarding. Heading east or north? See our guides to where to paddle board in Chicago and where to paddle board in Minneapolis.
