Badger Prairie Dog Park

For dog owners in Verona and across the beautiful Wisconsin landscape, discovering a spacious and well-maintained environment where their canine companions can truly thrive off-leash is a remarkable find. Badger Prairie Dog Park, nestled within the larger Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, WI, is consistently lauded as one of the best options in the area. It’s more than just a place for dogs to run; it’s a community hub designed to facilitate healthy exercise, joyful socialization, and a pleasant experience for both pups and their human companions.

What sets Badger Prairie Dog Park apart is its thoughtful design and vast open spaces. Visitors often praise its extensive and accessible trails, making it a comfortable walking destination even when other parks might be muddy. As one recent visitor from out of town shared, "We have been trying out various dog parks in the Verona/Madison area and this is my favorite so far! We have met some lovely people and dogs while walking here. The wide hard-packed trails are great for walking, especially right now as snow has melted and created a slushy muddy mess in some parks." This highlights its resilience to changing Wisconsin weather conditions and its suitability for active owners.

For many local Wisconsin residents, Badger Prairie Dog Park offers the ideal balance of natural beauty and practical amenities. It’s a place where dogs can freely "come and go meet other dogs," fostering important social skills, while owners can enjoy the scenery, relax, or connect with fellow dog enthusiasts. This combination of ample space, accessibility, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a truly cherished resource in Dane County.

Badger Prairie Dog Park is part of Badger Prairie County Park, located in Verona, WI 53593, USA. While the provided address is simply "Verona, WI 53593," more specific addresses associated with the park include 4654 Maple Grove Dr, Verona, WI 53593, and also a dog park entrance at 6679 Wesner Rd, Verona, WI 53593. It is situated just east of the City of Verona, near the intersection of County Highway PB and US Highway 18 and 151, making it highly accessible for residents of Verona, Madison, and surrounding communities in Dane County.

The park boasts extensive operating hours, generally open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. This wide window allows great flexibility for dog owners to visit early in the morning, during the day, or in the evening, accommodating various schedules.

As a Dane County Parks facility, access to Badger Prairie Dog Park requires a valid Dane County dog park permit. This can be either an annual permit or a daily permit, which can typically be purchased online via the Dane County Parks website (www.reservedane.com/permits) or in person at various designated locations throughout Dane County. The permit system ensures that the park is well-maintained and provides a level of safety and accountability among users. All dogs must also be legally licensed with their municipality and wear visible rabies and ID tags. Ample parking is available on-site, contributing to the overall ease of access.

Badger Prairie Dog Park provides a range of services designed to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and convenient off-leash experience for dogs and their owners.

• Expansive Off-Leash Areas: The park features an impressive 11-acre off-leash dog exercise area, providing significant space for dogs to run, play, and explore. This includes open fields and areas integrated with trails.

• Separate Small Dog Area: A highly valued service for owners of smaller or more timid dogs is the designated 2-acre small dog park area. This separate, fenced section ensures a safer and less overwhelming environment for smaller breeds to play comfortably.

• Maintained Trails: The park offers "wide hard-packed trails," which are regularly maintained, making them suitable for walking and running with dogs even in varied weather conditions, such as after snowmelt. Reviewers specifically highlight these trails as a major benefit.

• Picnic Tables: "Picnic tables dotted around the paths" are a thoughtful amenity, providing comfortable spots for owners to rest, enjoy a snack, or simply observe their dogs playing.

• Pet Waste Stations: While not explicitly stated in reviews, as a Dane County Park, it is standard practice to provide pet waste stations with bags and trash receptacles to encourage proper waste disposal and maintain park cleanliness. Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs.

• Restroom Facilities: The larger Badger Prairie County Park often provides access to public restrooms, which enhance the comfort for human visitors during longer stays. (Note: The shelter and restroom near the shelter are closed from July 2025 through end of 2025 due to construction, so visitors should check Dane County Parks website for alternative restroom locations or consider this before visiting during that period).

The key features and highlights of Badger Prairie Dog Park contribute significantly to its popularity and suitability for Wisconsin dog owners.

• Vast Open Space: With 11 acres for the main dog park and a 2-acre small dog area, the park offers substantial "very open space" for dogs to "do exercises and meet other dogs." This provides ample room for high-energy play, running, and fetching.

• Well-Maintained Trails: The "wide hard-packed trails" are a major highlight, especially for owners who enjoy walking or jogging alongside their dogs. These trails provide a clean, less muddy surface, making the park enjoyable even during challenging weather conditions common in Wisconsin.

• Defined Loop Path: The park includes a "nice 15-20 min loop," which is perfect for a structured walk or run, allowing owners and dogs to get consistent exercise while exploring the area.

• Separate Areas for Different Dog Sizes: The dedicated "small dog park" ensures a safer play environment for smaller breeds, addressing a common concern for many dog owners and making the park inclusive for all sizes and temperaments.

• Socialization Opportunities: The park's design allows "dogs to come and go meet other dogs" in a controlled yet expansive setting. This fosters healthy canine social interactions, crucial for a well-adjusted dog.

• Scenic Environment: Integrated within Badger Prairie County Park, the dog park benefits from scenic surroundings, offering pleasant views for owners while their dogs play.

As a public facility managed by Dane County Parks, Badger Prairie Dog Park does not offer commercial "promotions" in the traditional sense of retail businesses. However, its value proposition comes from the permit system that allows access to a wide network of dog parks.

The primary "offer" for Wisconsin residents is the Dane County Dog Park annual permit. This permit, required for Badger Prairie Dog Park, provides access not only to this park but also to all other designated off-leash dog parks operated by Dane County Parks, the City of Madison, City of Sun Prairie, and City of Middleton, as part of a cooperative agreement. This regional pass offers excellent value for frequent users who enjoy visiting multiple parks.

Current annual permit fees (as of June 2025) are $43 for the first dog, with slightly reduced fees for additional dogs or for seniors/disabled/military/veterans. Daily permits are also available for $8 per dog. These fees directly support the maintenance, improvement, and staffing of the Dane County dog park system, ensuring high-quality facilities like Badger Prairie remain available. Residents are encouraged to check the official Dane County Parks website (parks-lwrd.danecounty.gov/parks/dogs-in-parks or www.reservedane.com/permits) for the most current fee schedules, purchasing options, and any special announcements or temporary waiver periods.

For inquiries regarding Badger Prairie Dog Park, including details on permits, rules, or park conditions, Wisconsin residents can contact Dane County Parks.

Address: The park is located in Verona, WI 53593. Specific entrances include 4654 Maple Grove Dr, Verona, WI 53593, and 6679 Wesner Rd, Verona, WI 53593.

Phone (Dane County Parks Office): (608) 224-3730

Mobile Phone: +1 608-224-3730 (This is the same main office number)

Email: dane-parks@danecounty.gov

For the most current information, including any temporary closures, construction notices (like the current shelter/restroom closure through end of 2025), or permit purchasing, it is always best to visit the official Dane County Parks website (parks-lwrd.danecounty.gov).

Badger Prairie Dog Park is an exceptionally suitable and highly valued resource for dog owners residing in Verona and across the entire Dane County region of Wisconsin. Its comprehensive features and well-managed environment directly address the key needs and desires of local pet owners, making it a premier choice for canine recreation.

Firstly, the sheer scale of the park, encompassing 11 acres for general off-leash play and a dedicated 2-acre small dog area, ensures ample space for all types and sizes of dogs. This vastness allows high-energy pups to run freely and get significant exercise, which is crucial for their physical and mental well-being. The separate small dog area is a particularly thoughtful feature, providing a safe and less intimidating environment for smaller or more timid dogs, ensuring that the park is inclusive for all members of the canine community.

Secondly, the park's excellent infrastructure, highlighted by its "wide hard-packed trails," makes it a joy to visit, even during Wisconsin's less predictable weather. These trails provide a clean, easy-to-navigate surface that remains usable when other parks might be muddy or slushy, ensuring consistent access to outdoor activity. The presence of "picnic tables dotted around the paths" further enhances the human experience, offering comfortable spots to rest and observe, fostering a more leisurely and enjoyable outing.

Finally, as a Dane County Parks facility, Badger Prairie Dog Park benefits from consistent maintenance and a well-regulated permit system. This ensures the park remains clean, safe, and of high quality, with all dogs being licensed and vaccinated. The positive community feedback, noting "lovely people and dogs" and a generally pleasant atmosphere, confirms its status as a friendly and welcoming environment. For Wisconsin dog owners seeking a spacious, well-maintained, and inclusive off-leash area that offers diverse exercise opportunities and a strong sense of community, Badger Prairie Dog Park is an outstanding local asset and a must-visit destination.