FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2024
Contact: Sara Rigelman, DNR Recreation Liaison
[email protected] or 608-572-5007

Lake Kegonsa State Park Gets
New Bike Trail Connection

The Lower Yahara River Trail can be accessed from a trailhead located next to the White Oak Trail Parking Lot in Lake Kegonsa State Park. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is celebrating the grand opening of Dane County’s Lower Yahara River Trail – Phase 2, which adds a new paved bike trail at Lake Kegonsa State Park and a trail connection to Fish Camp County Park.

Phase 2 of the Lower Yahara River Trail is a 1.6-mile asphalt-paved trail with 4,200 feet of boardwalk through wetlands and a 90-foot bridge over Door Creek. The trail begins just south of McFarland at Fish Camp County Park and extends east along the northern shore of Lake Kegonsa into Lake Kegonsa State Park.

Dane County Parks will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Fish Camp County Park, to celebrate Phase 2 of the Lower Yahara River Trail and other improvements at Fish Camp County Park.

“We are excited to offer a new trail experience at Lake Kegonsa State Park and beyond that connects our state park visitors to Dane County’s incredible natural resources and extensive trail system,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR parks and recreation management director. “A huge thanks to Dane County for their excellent work and partnership with us to make this trail project happen.”

The new trail segment in the state park can be accessed from the trailhead located next to the White Oak Trail Parking Lot. The trail is free to use and is suitable for bicycles, skaters, strollers, walkers, joggers and wheelchairs. A Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles to park at the trailhead parking lot.

Lake Kegonsa State Park is situated along a 3,200-acre lake located near the cities of McFarland and Stoughton in Dane County, Wisconsin. Recreational amenities include a swimming beach, picnic areas with reservable shelters, a boat launch, a campground, a fishing pier and more than five miles of trails.

Find a full list of recreation opportunities at Lake Kegonsa State Park by visiting the property’s Recreation webpage.