If you are visiting the capitol of Wisconsin, you don’t have to stay in
a hotel. Now that our son, his wife, and two dogs live in the area, we
have been trying out the nearby campgrounds. In today’s post we share three of
them along with a few things to do in the area. Anyone up for a troll stroll?
While a swim beach is marked off, extensive hydrilla and geese makes me question whether swimming is a good idea. Two weed harvesting boats were moored at the park during our visit.
Here’s a view of typical sites in the Lake Mendota loop. Mature trees provide some shade.
electric only sites, 30 amp, tables, grill, toilets, showers, dump, pet
friendly extra rules, playground, beach, fish, boat launch
Seniors 65+ receive a $2/night discount.
Maximum of six (6) people and two Camping Units (two tents or one RV and
one tent) per campsite. Dump station and potable water available at the
sanitation station. Dumping and water are free to registered campers. No
firewood originating outside Dane County may be brought into a county
park. Firewood is available at campgrounds. Reservations include a free
Daily Dog Permit good for the duration of stay.
Farther west is Blue Mound State Park.
17 electric only sites, 30/50 amp, 1 50 amp sites, tables, grill, water,
toilets, showers, dump, firewood, pet friendly, pool, playground, 2 ADA
sites
vehicle admission sticker
to enter any Wisconsin State Park, even if only camping overnight. It only
takes four stays to make an annual pass worthwhile.
Maybe it was due to the holiday weekend, but the campground was messy and dumpsters were overflowing. We prefer the county parks to this one.
47 sites, Apr-Oct, Tents, 45 ft max RV length, 875 ft elev, Accepts Big
Rigs, 5 pull thrus, 39 electric only sites, 30/50 amp, 39 50 amp sites,
tables, grill, water, flush toilets, showers, dump, firewood, internet,
pet friendly extra rules, playground, fish, trail, hike, 2 ADA
sites,
Seniors 65+ receive a $2/night discount.
Maximum of six (6) people and two Camping Units (two tents or one RV
and one tent) per campsite. Dump station and potable water available at
the sanitation station. Dumping and water are free to registered
campers. No firewood originating outside Dane County may be brought into
a county park. Firewood is available at campgrounds. Reservations
include a free Daily Dog Permit good for the duration of stay.
Sites on the outside of the loop have the most space, the least shade, and the best views.
Several park shelters have solar panels for roofs. Enlarge this photo (double click on it) to learn more about how the park is powered by the sun.
Modern showers were clean and hot throughout our visit.
Prairie restoration is underway here and that brings birds, flowers, and insects. We saw sandhill cranes, blackbirds, and herons.
The family heritage center is available for group meetings and houses offices for the county parks department.
Bird watching is encouraged and a (free) scope is mounted on their deck.
Two paved bike trails intersect in the park, and we set out on the Lower Yahara River Trail. Following the shoreline of Lake Waubesa, it features a mile long boardwalk that is flat and smooth for older bike riders like yours truly. The five mile round trip was just right for us.
Looking at a map, we realized that by heading west out of the campground, the Capital State Trail connects to the Military Ridge State Trail allowing an ambitious rider to ride 30 miles back to Blue Mound State Park without having to worry about sharing a road with cars.