Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing with the Hoofer Outing Club is a great way to get out into nature during the more quiet winter months. The Outing club has snowshoeing trips of various lengths and intensities, including afternoon snowshoes at Picnic Point and multi-day trips to the northwoods. If you do not own snowshoe equipment, the Outing Club can provide snowshoes in a variety of sizes, and we are always expanding our collection to accommodate more snowshoers. Find out when we’re hitting the trail here.

Snowshoe Main Pic

Regardless of your experience level, snowshoeing is easy to pick up, and a great daytime experience to stay active during the colder months! During snowshoe trips, members learn how to use and fasten snowshoes, and get to meet other people in the Outing Club, as snowshoeing is similar to social hiking.

During the winter months (weather permitting), Snowshoe day trips to nearby areas in Madison (Picnic Point, the Arboretum, etc.) will be going out most weekends. These trips usually last a couple hours at most, so they are easy to slot into a busy schedule. These trips are also usually free of charge, making them an excellent way for people new to outdoor sports to get involved.

If you are interested in longer trips, snowshoeing is part of the famous Hoofers Delta Lodge trip, which happens every year over winter break in partnership with Cross Country Skiing. This trip is great for people looking to get more long-term exposure to winter sports, and we are hoping to get out more overnight trips like this one!

If you are interested in purchasing your own snowshoe gear to get a spot more easily on snowshoe day trips, check out websites like Sierra Trading Post, REI, Rutabaga (in Madison!), and other discount outdoor gear stores.

Looking for places to snowshoe in Dane County and greater Wisconsin? Here are some trails to get you started:

Trails in Madison

Dane County Parks

Best Wisconsin Trails

For more information, or to lead snowshoeing trips of your own (all that is needed is an Outing Club Day Trip Leader Rating), contact our Snowshoeing Co-Chairs at snowshoe@hooferouting.org.