State Parks Near Janesville, Wisconsin
24 state park units lie within 50 miles of Janesville, including 6 parks across the line in Illinois. The closest is Lake Kegonsa State Park, about 23 mi northwest of town. 2 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Lake Kegonsa State Park23 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 2of 24 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 16parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 7pets allowed
State parks near Janesville, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Janesville; driving distance is usually longer.
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Kegonsa State Park →Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is a 3,080-acre park in Winnebago County, in Loves Park.
Hours, fees and rules for Rock Cut State Park →Sugar River State Trail
The park supports hunting in season, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Sugar River State Trail →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. Camping is available: 264 campsites across 7 camping areas, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit →Glacial Drumlin State Trail
The park supports hunting in season, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Glacial Drumlin State Trail →Aztalan State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Aztalan State Park →Capital Springs State Recreation Area
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, biking, and fishing. The official site lists about 6 miles of trails. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Capital Springs State Recreation Area →White River State Trail
Things to do include horseback riding and biking.
Hours, fees and rules for White River State Trail →Big Foot Beach State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 5 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are 100 campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Big Foot Beach State Park →New Glarus Woods State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for New Glarus Woods State Park →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit
Covering about 986 acres, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit lies in Waukesha County, about 3 miles southeast of Eagle.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit →Governor Nelson State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, biking, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 8 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Governor Nelson State Park →Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 8 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit
Visitors come for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit →Cross Plains State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 11.5 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Cross Plains State Park →Chain O' Lakes State Park
Covering about 5,124 acres, Chain O' Lakes State Park lies in Lake County, about 3 miles north of Fox Lake.
Hours, fees and rules for Chain O' Lakes State Park →Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area
The official site lists about 8.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area →Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, and boating. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Richard Bong State Recreation Area →Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam State Park →Lowden State Park
Covering about 204 acres, Lowden State Park lies in Ogle County, in Oregon.
Hours, fees and rules for Lowden State Park →Volo Bog State Natural Area
Covering about 796 acres, Volo Bog State Natural Area lies in Lake County, in Lakemoor.
Hours, fees and rules for Volo Bog State Natural Area →Blue Mound State Park
Things to do include hunting in season, swimming, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 20 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 78 campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Blue Mound State Park →Military Ridge State Trail
The park supports biking and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Military Ridge State Trail →Yellowstone Lake State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Yellowstone Lake State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Janesville
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 23 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Rock Cut State Park 24 mi south · Campground listed
- Sugar River State Trail 26 mi west · Campground listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 26 mi northeast · 264 campsites
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail 27 mi northeast · Campground listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Janesville
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 23 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Rock Cut State Park 24 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 26 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Aztalan State Park 28 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 39 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 2 more in the list above
Swimming near Janesville
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 23 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 26 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Big Foot Beach State Park 30 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Governor Nelson State Park 38 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 39 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 3 more in the list above
Hiking near Janesville
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 23 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Sugar River State Trail 26 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 26 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail 27 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Aztalan State Park 28 mi north · Hiking trails listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Fishing near Janesville
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 23 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 26 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Aztalan State Park 28 mi north · Fishing listed
- Capital Springs State Recreation Area 29 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Big Foot Beach State Park 30 mi east · Fishing listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Janesville
What is the closest state park to Janesville?
Lake Kegonsa State Park is the closest, about 23 miles northwest of Janesville in a straight line. Next are Rock Cut State Park and Sugar River State Trail.
How many state parks are near Janesville?
24 state park units are within 50 miles, and 2 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Janesville have camping?
16 parks list camping, the nearest being Lake Kegonsa State Park, Rock Cut State Park and Sugar River State Trail. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Janesville?
Yes, at 7 parks, including Lake Kegonsa State Park, Rock Cut State Park and Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Janesville?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Whitewater, WI18 mi northeast
- Near Roscoe, IL18 mi south
- Near Elkhorn, WI24 mi east
- Near Rockford, IL30 mi south
- Near Belvidere, IL30 mi south
- Near Monroe, WI32 mi west
- Near Madison, WI35 mi northwest
- Near Watertown, WI38 mi north
Or see all Wisconsin state parks, Illinois state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.