Lake Monona is a freshwater drainage lake in Dane County, Wisconsin, surrounded on three sides by the city of Madison, Wisconsin, and on the south side by the city of Monona, Wisconsin. It is the second-largest of a chain of four lakes along the Yahara River (also including Mendota, Kegonsa, and Waubesa) in the area and forms the south shore of the isthmus that forms downtown Madison. The name 'Monona' is a Chippewa word believed to mean 'beautiful', although the lake was originally named by the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) 'Tchee-ho-bo-kee-xa-te-la' or 'Teepee Lake'.Before you head to Madison, plan trip itinerary details with our user-friendly Madison road trip planner, to make sure you see all that Madison has to offer, including Lake Monona Shoreline Run.
Lake Monona rests at. It measures 3,274 acres (13.2 km²), has a mean depth of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a maximum depth of 74 ft (22.6 m). Its volume is approximately 28 billion US gallons (110,000,000 m³) and it has 13 miles (21 km) of shoreline, about 40% of which is publicly owned. The elevation of the lake is 845', regulated by locks at the mouth of the Yahara River at Lake Mendota. Monona is fed by three tributaries; The Yahara River (from Lake Mendota), Starkweather Creek, and Wingra Creek. Lake Monona is typically frozen for 107 days a year, give or take 10 days depending on the season. Access to the lake is by boat ramp.
Source
Create an itinerary including Lake Monona Shoreline Run
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lake Monona Shoreline Run reviews
-
A great facility for this city, the opportunity to experience the lake from within the city, watch out for the cyclists. more »
-
My favorite part of the trail is the bridge on John Nolen Dr. You can see the state capitol from the other side of the lake. I rent a BCycle for $5/30mins, and it was very easy to ride. I don’t see... more »
-
Nice spot in the middle of the metro area
-
Overall, my bike ride along this trail was pleasant and I am definitely planning to do it again. I'm a leisurely biker, and for me this trial was well marked, popular among other cyclists, and not very busy as far as cars go. There's also a few rest areas in parks a little off the trail. I stopped in Winnequah park to get water and use the restroom, and it was decent. The views and neighborhoods that are along this trail are gorgeous during the summer.
Plan your trip to Madison
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Madison
Side trips from Madison
Hidden gems in Madison
Kid-friendly things to do in Madison
Parks in Madison
Trips to Lake Monona Shoreline Run by other users
6 days in Wisconsin Dells
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Carr Valley Cheese
Riverwalk
Zipline
16 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Peoria
Cleveland
Mentor
7 days in Madison
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Balanced Rock Trail
International Crane Foundation
Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area
16 days in Madison & Olympia
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Madison
Olympia
17 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Peoria
Cleveland
Albany
49 days in Madison
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Vilas Park
Henry Vilas Zoo
Monroe Street Madison