State Parks Near Madison, Wisconsin
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Madison. The closest is Governor Nelson State Park, about 4 mi north of town. 8 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Governor Nelson State Park4 mi north
- Within 25 miles
- 8of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 14parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 5pets allowed
State parks near Madison, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Madison; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area
Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area is a 3,375-acre recreation area in Sauk County, about 7 miles south of Baraboo.
Hours, fees and rules for Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area →Devil's Lake State Park
The park supports rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. The official site lists about 30 miles of trails. Camping is available: 4 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Devil's Lake State Park →Aztalan State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Aztalan State Park →Natural Bridge State Park
The park supports hunting in season and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Natural Bridge State Park →Tower Hill State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 2 miles of trails. Camping is available: 10 campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Tower Hill State Park →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 →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 →Governor Dodge State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming.
Hours, fees and rules for Governor Dodge State Park →Mirror Lake State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Camping is available: 68 campsites across 2 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Mirror Lake 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 →Rocky Arbor State Park
Visitors come for hunting in season, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Rocky Arbor State Park →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 →Pecatonica State Trail
Visitors come for off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, and biking.
Hours, fees and rules for Pecatonica State Trail →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Madison
- Capital Springs State Recreation Area 6 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 12 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Blue Mound State Park 21 mi west · 78 campsites
- Military Ridge State Trail 22 mi west · Campground listed
- New Glarus Woods State Park 23 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Madison
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 12 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Blue Mound State Park 21 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Aztalan State Park 29 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 39 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 47 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Madison
- Governor Nelson State Park 4 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 12 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Blue Mound State Park 21 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Devil's Lake State Park 28 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 36 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 4 more in the list above
Hiking near Madison
- Governor Nelson State Park 4 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Capital Springs State Recreation Area 6 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Cross Plains State Park 9 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 12 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Blue Mound State Park 21 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 14 more in the list above
Fishing near Madison
- Governor Nelson State Park 4 mi north · Fishing listed
- Capital Springs State Recreation Area 6 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Cross Plains State Park 9 mi west · Fishing listed
- Lake Kegonsa State Park 12 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Devil's Lake State Park 28 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Madison
What is the closest state park to Madison?
Governor Nelson State Park is the closest, about 4 miles north of Madison in a straight line. Next are Capital Springs State Recreation Area and Cross Plains State Park.
How many state parks are near Madison?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 8 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Madison have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Capital Springs State Recreation Area, Lake Kegonsa State Park and Blue Mound State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Madison?
Yes, at 5 parks, including Lake Kegonsa State Park, Blue Mound State Park and Aztalan State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Madison?
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 Windsor, WI13 mi northeast
- Near Baraboo, WI31 mi northwest
- Near Janesville, WI35 mi southeast
- Near Monroe, WI35 mi south
- Near Watertown, WI36 mi east
- Near Whitewater, WI39 mi southeast
- Near Beaver Dam, WI40 mi northeast
- Near Reedsburg, WI42 mi northwest
Or see all Wisconsin 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.