Lake Kegonsa State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kegonsa State Park |
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A peaceful bench along a hiking trail in the park.
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| Location | Dane County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Area | 343 acres (139 ha) |
| Elevation | 843 ft (257 m) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Administered by | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Lake Kegonsa State Park is an exciting state park located in Dane County, Wisconsin. It sits right along the northeast shore of beautiful Lake Kegonsa, southeast of the city of Madison, Wisconsin. This park protects 343 acres (139 ha) of outdoor spaces, including a sunny prairie, rich wetlands, and a shady oak woodland.
Visitors travel here to enjoy fun water sports, hike through peaceful woods, and sleep under the stars in tents. The lake itself is a huge glacial lake covering 3,209 acres (12.99 km2). It reaches a maximum depth of over 30 feet (9 m). A massive glacier carved out the lake basin during the Wisconsin glaciation of the last ice age roughly 12,000 years ago.
Contents
Ancient History and Park Origins
Long before modern vacationers arrived, Native Americans lived on and cared for this land.
The Ho-Chunk Nation
The Ho-Chunk people lived around the lake for thousands of years. They fished, hunted wild game, and gathered food in the rich forests. Their name for the water was Nąsąkučitera, which translates to "Hard Maple Grove Lake."
The Ho-Chunk built an important seasonal fishing camp at Sugar Bush Point, where the park stands today. Early records from 1829 show that an encampment near the Yahara River outlet sheltered 106 people living together in 11 lodges. Ancient builders also created sacred effigy mounds shaped like animals along the forest ridges.
Becoming a State Park
European settlers, especially families from Norway, began arriving during the 1860s. They used the shoreline for big picnics, community meetings, and quiet camping trips.
In 1961, Wisconsin leaders created a program to build public parks close to major highways. This plan helped create Mirror Lake State Park, Willow River State Park, and Lake Kegonsa State Park. The state officially set aside the land in October 1962. After adding trails and camping spaces, workers opened the park to the public on August 12, 1966.
Fun Outdoor Adventures and Activities
The park is packed with outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy during every season of the year.
Lake Adventures and Fishing
The freshwater lake provides endless fun during warm summer days. Families can launch a motorboat, sailboat, canoe, or kayaks to paddle across the open water. People also love exploring along the shoreline on modern paddleboards.
Swimmers can cool off at the sandy beach, though tiny plants called blue-green algae sometimes close the water. Fishing is fantastic all year round. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stocks the lake with hungry walleye and fierce northern pike. Anglers also catch tasty crappies, perch, panfish, and fighting smallmouth bass. When the water freezes solid in winter, brave anglers set up shelters for ice fishing.
Hiking Trails and Winter Sports
Lake Kegonsa State Park features over five miles of easy walking trails.
- The White Oak Nature Trail loops through an 80-acre forest of white oak trees, passing ancient mounds and an old pine plantation.
- The Prairie Trail winds through open fields filled with restored native grasses and wildflowers.
- The Oak Knoll Trail is paved and connects the swimming beach smoothly to the boat launch.
- The Wetland Boardwalk Trail crosses damp marshes to reach a scenic wooden wildlife viewing deck.
- The Bluebird Trail brings hikers through pretty fields straight toward the main picnic shelter.
When deep snow covers the ground, five miles of paths turn into cross-country ski trails, alongside trails for snowshoes.
See also
