Photo: Wisconsin DNR
The MacKenzie Center, just 25 miles north of Madison, is one of the most diverse education centers in Wisconsin. Located on a 285-acre property near Poynette in Columbia County, the MacKenzie Center has interpretive trails, exhibits, museums and programming available for school and youth groups. The MacKenzie Center is a wonderful place to visit and learn about the natural world.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit MacKenzie Center?
It depends on what you came for. Hunting is best in November.
What can you do at MacKenzie Center in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking. Spring (March–May): hiking and hunting. Summer (June–August): hiking and picnics & shelters. Fall (September–November): hiking, hunting and picnics & shelters.
Do you need a state park sticker at MacKenzie Center?
No. MacKenzie Center doesn't require a vehicle sticker or a state trail pass.
What state parks and trails are near MacKenzie Center?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Governor Nelson State Park (19 mi), Devil's Lake State Park (19 mi) and Great Sauk State Trail (20 mi).
Good for
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnics & shelters
Best months
Visiting
- Admission: A vehicle admission sticker is not required at the MacKenzie Center.
- Hours: The grounds and trails are open dawn to dusk year-round.
- Phone: 608-635-8112
Nearby
- Governor Nelson State Park (19 mi)
- Devil's Lake State Park (19 mi)
- Great Sauk State Trail (20 mi)
- Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area (20 mi)
- Mirror Lake State Park (25 mi)
Closures and alerts for MacKenzie Center: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.