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?
The first place we stayed is Lake Mendota County Park. Having lake access within walking distance of restaurants makes up for being close to a major road. Not only can you camp in a tent, RV, or trailer, there are five slips for transient boaters.
Families with young children will enjoy the extensive modern playground. It was fun to see a line of children from a nearby daycare center walk into the park on weekday mornings.
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.
Clean bathrooms and showers are located near the marina slips, across a parking lot from the campground.
Million dollar homes with lake views surround the park. Many thanks to Dane County for providing a reasonable place to camp in a beautiful neighborhood.
Lake Mendota County Park
Farther west is Blue Mound State Park.
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,
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.
>28 sites, Apr-Oct, Tents, 40 ft max RV length, Accepts Big Rigs,
electric only sites, 30 amp, tables, grill, toilets, showers, dump, pet
friendly extra rules, playground, beach, fish, boat launch
Camping fees: Electric - $28/night + Administration Fee - $10/site.
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.
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.
Sites are well spaced and nestled into the trees. There is a large swimming pool open in the summertime. Hiking and mountain biking trails abound and the Military Ridge Trail has a spur providing access from the campground. This is a great biking trail that runs from Dodgeville to Verona.
$15 or $28 electric + park admission*, 77 Sites, Year-round, Tents, 95 ft max RV length, 1528 ft elev, Accepts Big Rigs, 2 pull thrus,
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
*Note: You need a
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.
Our son's very old car broke down while we were visiting, so we extended our stay to help him look for a replacement. While talking with the reservations agent, she recommended the campground at Lake Farm County Park. We can't say enough good things about the staff. If you have any problems with the web site, call the reservations number for real assistance.
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,
Camping fees: Electric - $28/night + Administration Fee - $10/site.
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.
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.
There isn't much privacy between sites, but it is modern, clean, and the park is great for walking, biking, and bird watching.
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.
Lake Farm County Park was surely our favorite of the three campgrounds. What is your favorite place to stay around Madison?
As promised, here are a few things to do in the area.
Visit the Capitol of Wisconsin.
Check out the Mustard at the National Mustard Museum.
Take an Epic Tour of this amazing software campus with buildings themed for favorite stories.
Stroll with Trolls in Mount Horeb.
Wander through Olbrich Gardens arboretum.
Future posts will give more details.
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