Around 2,000 years ago, local inhabitants initiated the burial of their dead in the sacred mounds that scatter across the Point. At one time, Picnic Point boasted seven mounds, but relic hunters destroyed one mound before 1912. Today, the Preserve harbors numerous burial mounds and other ancient archaeological sites, reflecting the rich history and cultural significance of the area.

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June 7, 2025

Hiking

Picnic Point Mound Group (DA121)
The sixth extant mound is a large hemispherical form visible on your right just before you reach The Narrows (where the main trail dips near the beach).

UrbanExolorer_Mando

June 7, 2025

Hiking

There are four “extant” (still visible) mound groups you can visit on the main campus, all but one of them located within the boundaries of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Recently these mound groups were surveyed and entered in a special burial sites catalog maintained by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The label associated with each location includes a number used in the state Archaeological Site Inventory (ASI) maintained by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The site surveys establish a 25-foot preservation buffer around the mounds.

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Best routes to Picnic Point Mound Group

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1. Lake Mendota – Picnic Point Mound Group loop from University of Wisconsin-Madison

2.85km

00:43

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

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2. Picnic Point Mound Group – Howard Temin Path loop from Madison

11.0km

02:49

40m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

5.0

(3)

hikers

3. Lake Mendota – Picnic Point Mound Group loop from University of Wisconsin-Madison

2.68km

00:41

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 260 m

Weather

Sunday 8 February

-2°C

-11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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Location: Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

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Picnic Point Mound Group

1. Lake Mendota – Picnic Point Mound Group loop from University of Wisconsin-Madison

2. Picnic Point Mound Group – Howard Temin Path loop from Madison

3. Lake Mendota – Picnic Point Mound Group loop from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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