Things to do nearBig Spring

Big Spring sits within the UW–Madison Arboretum, one of the oldest ecological restoration projects in the United States. Established in the 1930s, the Arboretum pioneered the science of restoring native plant communities, and the spring area reflects that legacy through carefully tended sedge meadows and woodland plantings.

The spring itself is a natural groundwater seep, producing cold, clear water year-round. Visitors can follow short footpaths that wind through the surrounding wetland, observing native ferns, marsh marigolds, and skunk cabbage depending on the season. The landscape shifts noticeably with each season, offering a different palette from early spring through late autumn.

The broader Arboretum surrounds Big Spring with restored prairies, oak savannas, and maple forests, all accessible by a network of walking trails. Interpretive signage along the paths explains the restoration history and the ecological role of each plant community.

Big Spring rewards patient, attentive visitors with a genuine sense of place rooted in Wisconsin's natural and scientific heritage.