Located just 20 miles outside of Madison in the rugged Driftless Area southwest of Verona, the Madison School Forest (also known as the Jackson School Forest) spans 305 acres of rolling hills, ancient sandstone cliffs, and rich natural history.
Owned by the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and managed in collaboration with Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is registered in Wisconsin’s School Forest program and serves as a living classroom for students and a peaceful retreat for the community.
What Makes the Madison School Forest Special
Unique Landscapes & Wildlife
- Rich Plant Life: Discover nearly 300 vascular plant species, including polypody and fragile ferns clinging to 6-to-7-foot sandstone cliffs.
Diverse Forest Canopy: Explore steep ridges and valleys filled with thriving red, white, and black oaks, along with the historical Jerome Jones Pine Plantation—originally planted by MMSD staff and students. - Geological Wonders: Walk among ancient bedrock ridges and natural sinkholes formed over thousands of years in Wisconsin’s unglaciated terrain.
- A Haven for Birdwatchers: Spot over 40 resident nesting bird species, plus dozens of migratory birds passing through each season.
Protected Natural Areas
The forest encompasses the Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area, a prime example of a pre-settlement southern dry forest. The site is co-managed with the Wisconsin DNR State Natural Areas program to protect its rare, native ecosystem for generations to come.
Rich Human & Ecological History
- Indigenous Roots & Fire Ecology: Long before European settlement, Native Americans lived on and managed this land. Periodic fires maintained open prairies and oak savannas, shaping the landscape until European settlers suppressed fires in the 1830s—allowing today’s dense forest (roughly 150 years old) to take root.
- Ancient Sentinel Trees: Look for majestic oak trees with wide-spreading branches, relics of the open prairie era, including the “Grandfather Tree” along the Prairie Relic Trail, estimated to be over 300 years old.
- Historic Trails: Walk along the Old Wagon Trail, an early route between Belleville and Verona where deep wagon ruts are still visible in the ground.
- Community Vision & Growth: Founded through the vision of leaders like Joseph “Bud” Jackson and Paul Olson in the 1950s, the forest grew from former local family farms (including the Stewart, Malloy, Laberty and Andreas properties) and key donor support into a multi-hundred-acre educational sanctuary built by and for students.
Outdoor Education & Science
- Decades of Naturalist Programs: Pioneered in the 1960s by ecologists Dr. Jim Zimmerman and Dr. Virginia Kline, the School Forest’s naturalist educator program has inspired generations of teachers and students—growing to serve over 5,000 visitors annually.
- Long-Term Field Research: The site serves as an active ecological laboratory, hosting over 75 years of plant and forest composition research by scientists from the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin DNR, including studies on prescribed fire management.
Plan Your Visit
The public is welcome to explore, learn and reconnect with nature.
- Address: 1680 Fritz Rd, Verona, WI
- Parking: A small public gravel lot is available at the entrance.
- Access: Most of the 305-acre property is open to the public for hiking and nature observation.
- Amenities: Approximately ½ a mile from the parking lot there is a shelter with picnic tables that is open to the public. No reservations are allowed. There is a porta-potty at the day lot during the warm seasons.There is no running water. There is a reservable “campground” ¼ mile south of the public parking area. More information is found in the “program offerings” tab.
- Hunting: Hunting is allowed during the 9 day gun seasons in November-December.
The Madison Metropolitan School District is proud to steward this remarkable natural resource. We invite 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.
Join the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) as we unveil our 4 newly remodeled sleeping cabins at the Madison School Forest!
Come explore the updated accommodations, tour the scenic grounds, connect with our community, and celebrate the future of outdoor education in Madison.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, September 17
- Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Location: Madison School Forest Campground (1577 Fritz Rd, Verona, WI)
- Free!
Event Schedule & Highlights
- Land Acknowledgment & Opening Remarks: Hear inspiring words from Dr. Joe Gothard, MMSD Superintendent, and Mary Roth, MSCR Executive Director, as we honor the heritage of this land and celebrate this exciting milestone.
- Cabin & Property Tours: Take a guided look inside the four newly renovated, accessible sleeping cabins and surrounding campground facilities.
- Campfire & S’mores: Gather around the central fire pit to enjoy cozy treats and community warm-up time!
Parking & Accessibility
- Parking: Limited parking is available directly at the campground lot, with overflow parking available at the main lot at 1680 Fritz Rd.
- Accessibility: The remodeled cabins and designated restroom facilities are handicap accessible.
Madison School Forest Cabin Reveal Event Invite Flyer
Come celebrate with us—we can’t wait to show you what’s new at the Forest! We want to hear from you! Share how the Madison School Forest has impact you either as a child, an adult or MSCR or MMSD Staff person! We will share these stories on our website and at the event!
Thanks for your interest in programs with MSCR! Have questions? Please contact Liz Just at ekjust@madison.k12.wi.us
