Capital Springs State Recreation Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below8-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.wisconsin.gov(608) 224-3730
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Capital Springs SRA Boat Launch Closed (July-October 2026)The Lake Waubesa boat launch at Lake Farm County Park (adjacent to Capital Springs State Recreation Area) will be closed for reconstrcution beginning… (more)
The Lake Waubesa boat launch at Lake Farm County Park (adjacent to Capital Springs State Recreation Area) will be closed for reconstrcution beginning Monday, July 6, 2026. The launch will be closed for several months. For more information, please see: Impact: High.
Posted by the park 2026-08-03. Official alert
Overview
Capital Springs State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Dane County, in Monona.
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
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
| Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. Capital Springs State Recreation is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, resident vs nonresident pricing: a vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas (daily $13 WI / $16 out-of-state; annual $28 / $50; rates effective Aug. 19, 2025). State trails use a per-person trail pass for certain uses. Heritage Hill SP charges a per-person admission instead.
Statewide fee rule from Wisconsin's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Wisconsin park passes
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (Wisconsin plates) — $28. All Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas for 12 months Details
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (out-of-state plates) — $50. Same, nonresident vehicles Details
- 12-month pass, Wisconsin residents 65+ — $13. Resident senior vehicles Details
- 12-month reduced-rate pass (additional household vehicle) — $15.50 resident / $32.50 nonresident. Additional vehicles at the same household address; bought with a full-price pass Details
- Daily vehicle admission pass — $13 resident / $3 resident 65+ / $16 nonresident Details
From the Wisconsin state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Wisconsin State Park System reservations (Camis 'Going to Camp')
- Phone
- 1-888-947-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording · leash up to 8 feet
All pets must be on leash 8 feet or shorter and under control at all times. A Dane County Pet permit is required and can be purchased at the E-Way, Heritage Center or Shelter #1 trailhead kiosks.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Dane County's William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, adjacent to Capital Springs, offers camping. To reserve a campsite, see the Dane County Parks website.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingFishingHikingHuntingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: There are over 6 miles of hiking trails and boardwalks at Capital Springs. Some trails contain interpretive signs along the way to help visitors learn about the surrounding area. Birding is excellent throughout the year due to the variety of natural habitat.
Boating and paddling
The boat launch is open year-round. Each vehicle parked in the boat launch parking area must have a lake access permit. Self-registration is available at the launch. Valid lake access permits include:
- Dane County Lake Access Permit
- Wisconsin State Park Vehicle Admission Pass
- Wisconsin Conservation Patron License
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.
Fishing
Fishing is available in Lake Waubesa. Fishing licenses apply. The Jenni and Kyle Preserve, part of Capital Springs State Recreation Area, is a fully accessible park between State Highway 14 and Fish Hatchery Road. The preserve was established as a park to be accessible and enjoyed by all children. Fishing is restricted to children age 14 and under and adults with disabilities.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Monona
- Coordinates
- 43.0270, -89.3450
- Phone
- (608) 224-3730
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park and the Lussier Family Heritage Center are located at 3101 Lake Farm Road. The Jenni and Kyle Preserve, part of Capital Springs State Recreation Area, is located at 925 Post Road. A parking lot providing access to Capital Springs State Park is available at 4291 Libby Road (across the road from the Lake Waubesa boat launch). Get directions: • To William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, campground and Lussier Family Heritage Center • Jenny and Kyle Preserve • Capital Springs State Park Access on Libby Road
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Wisconsin State Park System — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Wisconsin DNR 'Find a Park' directory (server-rendered Drupal view, ?page=0..5), filtered to /topic/parks/ property pages
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology