Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area in Wisconsin, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area is a day-use destination near Browntown in southwestern Wisconsin. Choose it for a walk around Zander Lake, a picnic or wildlife watching among wooded slopes and spring-fed waters. There is no campground here, so plan a day trip rather than an overnight stay.

A lake loop with room for a picnic

• Zander Lake: a one-mile self-guided nature trail gives a focused introduction to the lakeshore.
• Longer walks: eight miles of hiking trails pass through forest, beside streams and around the lakes.
• Picnic setting: tables, grills and two large open shelters provide places to pause.

Plan a day in a working recreation area

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Account for hunting seasons and untested ice

Hunting and trapping occur during their legal seasons. Consult the property hunting map when choosing a walking route. The beach has no lifeguards. Staff do not measure lake-ice thickness, and thickness varies by place and day. Do not treat winter access as evidence that ice is safe.

Keep the beach and lakes within their rules

Pets and fishing are prohibited in the swimming area throughout the year. Both Beckman and Zander lakes allow electric motors only. Observe the posted use boundaries even when a facility is out of season.

Keep overnight plans separate

Cadiz Springs has no camping. For an organized picnic or a shelter-dependent visit, contact the property office before making arrangements rather than assuming a table guarantees a shelter.

Use the Browntown entrance

The property address is N2241 Cadiz Springs Road, Browntown, WI 53522. It lies about one mile east of Browntown and eight miles west of Monroe along State Highway 11. The official map page provides separate recreation and hunting maps.

Other parks in southwestern Wisconsin

New Glarus Woods State Park has its road entrance at W5508 County Highway NN in New Glarus. Yellowstone Lake State Park is reached at 8495 Lake Road near Blanchardville. These are separate destinations with their own admission and facility arrangements.

Start with a manageable walking loop

Follow the Zander Lake nature trail for a shorter outing, or use the wider trail network for forest and streamside walking. The park activity guide explains the trail choices and water-use restrictions.

Match equipment to the arrival point

The picnic shelters have lighting and electricity. An accessible kayak launch includes a transfer bench, handrails and vessel guides. Beckman Lake has a boat landing, while canoes and kayaks must be carried into Zander Lake. These are distinct access points, so check the map before unloading equipment.

Spring-fed water in the Driftless landscape

Wisconsin DNR manages this recreation area in a landscape of rolling hills, valleys and spring-fed streams. The mix of forest, meadow and aquatic habitat explains why a short nature walk can cover several different environments.

Watch the shore without disturbing it

Songbirds, shorebirds, muskrats and turtles use the lakeside habitats. The park records snapping turtles, painted turtles and Blanding’s turtles. Observe them from the route and allow wildlife space to move between land and water.

Ask about the conditions that affect your visit

Call 608-523-4427 for property information. Use the official visitor information to check admission arrangements and arrival details before traveling.