About 20 miles outside of Madison, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) owns The Madison School Forest. Also known as the Jackson School Forest after “Bud” Jackson, encompasses 305 acres in the hilly terrain southwest of Verona in Wisconsin’s unglaciated Driftless Area. Seventy five acres of old farmland was purchased by the Friends of the School Forest in 2001. Most of the property is open to the public and can be accessed from the small gravel parking lot located at 1680 Fritz Rd. In collaboration with MMSD, Madison School & Community Recreation manages the site and oversees programming in the space. The Madison School Forest is a registered School Forest in the statewide School Forest Program.
The Madison School Forest includes the Olson Oak Wood State Natural Area, a prime example of a Wisconsin southern dry forest with remnants of pre-settlement and pre-colonization. The property includes the Jerome Jones Pine Plantation planted by Madison School District staff and students. The Wisconsin DNR State Natural Areas program helps to manage the site for its unique ecosystem.
Over 40 species of birds live and nest in the School Forest, with many more migratory birds that can be observed seasonally. The richer valleys and ridges of loess and shale have better soil and support red oaks. On ridges with thin, dry soils over St. Peter sandstone abundant reproduction of white, red, and black oaks occurs. Bedrock ridges and sinkholes, perhaps collapsed limestone caves, follow the ravine bottom and are scattered throughout. Nearly 300 species of vascular plants have been observed including polypody and fragile ferns on the 6-7 foot high sandstone cliffs.
As a special place of natural biological diversity, the Madison School Forest offers a unique site for MMSD students and the community to experience and learn. The Madison Metropolitan School District is proud to be a steward of such a remarkable resource — we welcome you to come, learn and enjoy!
A rustic camping area on the westside of Fritz Rd. features a kitchen, nature center, shelter with fireplace, four sleeping cabins, and restrooms with access for people with physical disabilities. The area includes a large field space to be utilized for games or tent camping and a large fire pit. The campground is rentable and only groups with a permit are allowed to access the campground space.
Program and Rental Options at the Madison School Forest
- Environmental Education
-Guided Nature Hikes (tailored to your interests)
-Orienteering/ Map & Compass Programs
-Introduction to Birding
-Night Experience
-Survival Skills - Teambuilding
High Challenge Course - Community Classes – Check out the latest MSCR Program Guide for more information
- Corporate Programs (facilitated experiences, rentals and more)
- Service and Volunteer Projects- Bring groups of all ages to volunteer on site and give back to the community and environment
The School Forest Campground area includes 4 sleeping cabins, stocked kitchen, pit-toilet bathrooms, nature center, open air shelter with fireplace and a large fire pit. The perfect place to host your next campout! The campground sits on about 2 acres of land with plenty of room for group games and activities and access to the many trails throughout the school forest. There is running water from Mid-April to Mid-October (weather dependent). Groups are welcome to sleep in the cabins or bring their own tents. No sleeping gear is provided for cabins or tents.
Campground rentals are available for a single overnight or multi day overnights. Additionally the space may be rented for day use.
Thanks for your interest in programs with MSCR! Have questions? Please contact Liz Just at ekjust@madison.k12.wi.us
