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

Research checked: 2026-11-05. Check linked official notices before travel.

Capital Springs State Recreation Area on the south side of Madison, Wisconsin, brings together several parks, preserves and trails. Start at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park for paved routes toward Lake Waubesa and seasonal camping. Use a different entrance for the Jenni and Kyle Preserve.

A lake crossing and a choice of starting points

The Lower Yahara River Trail takes walkers and cyclists across Lake Waubesa on a roughly mile-long boardwalk bridge. For a shorter outing, stay at Lake Farm for the observation tower or wildlife pond.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Share the boardwalk

The lake crossing carries walkers and cyclists in both directions. Slow down when passing people and leave room for oncoming traffic.

Use the rules for the trail you choose

The Lower Yahara River Trail requires no trail pass. Keep pets off its boardwalks and bridges. If you continue onto the Capital City State Trail, the state pass requirement applies to bicyclists and inline skaters age 16 and older.

Book camping with Dane County

Choose a Lake Farm campsite through the booking link on the county facility schedule. Use the schedule to check the camping season separately from the recreation area’s day-use hours.

Choose the entrance for your visit

Use 3101 Lake Farm Road for Lake Farm County Park and the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Use 925 Post Road for the Jenni and Kyle Preserve or 4291 Libby Road for Capital Springs State Park parking across from the Lake Waubesa boat launch. The county recreation area map and unit list show how the sites fit together.

Nearby parks

• McDaniel Park. Park in McFarland on the northeast shore of Lake Waubesa for the other end of the boardwalk route.
• Babcock County Park. Find it off U.S. Highway 51 near McFarland, where the Yahara River leaves Lake Waubesa.

Walk the lake crossing or stay at Lake Farm

Follow the Lower Yahara River Trail toward McDaniel Park for the long boardwalk crossing. For a visit with less walking, Lake Farm offers a wildlife pond and play equipment. If you are coming to fish, check the pier schedule and follow Wisconsin fishing license rules.

Lake Farm camping and day-use facilities

Lake Farm County Park has reservable picnic shelters. Its campground has sites with and without electric hookups, including accessible sites, plus showers and a dump station.

About Capital Springs

From Lake Farm County Park to William G. Lunney Lake Farm

Lake Farm County Park dates to 1973. Dane County renamed it in 2019 for William G. Lunney, a longtime county park commissioner. Today Dane County Parks and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources jointly operate the larger recreation area.

Springs, wetlands and prairie

The Lewis Nine Springs E-Way reaches Lake Farm through a corridor of wetlands, prairie and forest. Springs feed Nine Springs Creek. At Lake Farm, the wildlife pond offers a place to pause and look for activity at the water’s edge.

Contact Dane County Parks

Call 608-224-3730 or use the Wisconsin DNR recreation area information for directions and contacts.