Capital Springs State Recreation Area
Current Conditions
Conditions as of Tuesday, August 11, 2009:
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The DNR and Dane County Parks cooperatively operate and manage Capital Springs State Recreation Area. The park is still in the planning stages, and only the Lake Farm County Unit is developed and open. County fees apply.
Fishing and Boating
The boat launch is open year-round. Each vehicle parked in the boat launch parking area must have a lake access permit. Valid lake access permits include:
- Dane County Lake Access Permit [exit DNR]
- Wisconsin State Park Vehicle Admission Sticker
- Wisconsin Conservation Patron License
Self-registration is available at the launch.
Boat launch on Lake Waubesa.
DNR Photo
Note: If you have Conservation Patron License but no sticker, you may write your name, patron license number, and date on a daily permit from the kiosks and display the receipt in the lower left corner of your windshield. Don't forget to put the envelope portion into the pay tube!
The Jenni and Kyle Preserve is open. Fishing there is restricted to children 14 and under and adults with disabilities.
Camping
The Capital Springs/Lake Farm Campground is open. Plenty of electric and non-electric sites are available through the week, but reservations are still recommended and can be made online through the Dane County Parks Department [exit DNR], or by calling (608) 246-3896. To check on immediate first-come, first-served sites, call (608) 575-5308.
Trails
All trails are open and in good condition. Some trails do remain a little soft and wet. Dogs are welcome in the park, but must be on leash and under control at all times. A Dane County Pet Permit is required and can be purchased at the self-registration stations at the campground, shelter #1, or at the E-way and Heritage Center trailhead kiosks.
The observation tower is closed for the year.
Numerous wildlife observation areas exist including the E-way boardwalk and observation platform, and numerous miles of hiking and nature trails.
A grass trail at Capital Springs.
DNR Photo
Picnicking
The shelters at Lake Farm are open for the season. Shelters #2 & #3 are on the shores of Lake Waubesa. To reserve a shelter for 2009, please contact the Dane County Parks Department [exit DNR], (608) 246-3896. Shelters are on a first-come, first-served basis if no reservations are made for that day.
Nature
July welcomes an explosion of activities within Capital Springs. Many of the prairie flowers are blooming including the black-eyed Susan's, butterfly weed and rattle master. In the coming weeks we can expect to see the yellow and purple coneflower, queen of the prairie, Canada goldenrod, and many more to bloom.
We are seeing ring-necked pheasant broods appearing, painted turtles laying eggs and sandhill crane chicks walking with their parents. A pair of twin sandhills can often been seen with their parents in the prairies between shelters 1 and 3. We expect to see them begin to learn to fly soon.
Planning
Dane County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are developing a master plan for the Capital Springs State Recreation Area. This beautiful, 3,000-acre natural area is along Nine Springs Creek between Lake Waubesa and Fish Hatchery Road, just south of Madison. The park will not be fully open until after the plan is complete, but the Lake Farm Unit (Lake Farm County Park) and Capital City State Trail, which are part of Capital Springs, are open. About 320 acres of open land will be added on the south side of Lake Farm Park.
Volunteer Opportunity
Get out in the fresh air and exercise your muscles for a good cause!
The "Third Thursday Nine Springs Prairie Project" is a group of volunteers working on a prairie restoration in the Capital Springs State Recreation Area. They are cutting with hand tools, hauling, and stacking brush. A picnic meal often is provided. Bring yourself, friends and family. Children are welcome and encouraged to come.
For dates and times, contact Joe, (608) 333-5388, or Nancy, (608) 271-0956.
More Information
For more information, ask Kevin Swenson, manager, (608) 224-3606.
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