Capital Springs State Recreation Area
Capital Springs State Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Dane County. It was established in 2000. 8 graded lakes are within 15 miles of the park, including Lake Waubesa, Lake Mendota, Lake Kegonsa.
Capital Springs State Recreation Area is a Wisconsin State Recreation Area — a public-land designation focused on recreation rather than ecological preservation. an unrecorded acreage acres are protected. The park is paired with 8 graded lakes nearby — enough for a multi-lake visit. Average grade among them: D.
Reading the per-lake LakeGrade alongside the park designation gives a fuller picture than either alone: the park tells you what land is protected, the grade tells you what condition the water in that protected area is in.
Official Resources
Nearby Graded Lakes (within 15 mi)
Lakes closest to Capital Springs State Recreation Area, weighted by size. Click a lake for its full water quality grade, fish species, and depth.
| Lake | County | Grade | Surface Area | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Waubesa | Dane | D | 2,074 acres | 1.7 mi |
| Lake Mendota | Dane | C | 9,781 acres | 6.3 mi |
| Lake Kegonsa | Dane | C | 3,200 acres | 6.5 mi |
| Lake Wingra | Dane | C | 336 acres | 4.6 mi |
| Lake Monona | Dane | D | - | 2.3 mi |
| Odana Pond | Dane | F | 14 acres | 6.6 mi |
| Tiedman Pond | Dane | F | 9 acres | 9.5 mi |
| American Way Pond | Dane | D | - | 9.7 mi |
Other Parks in the Area
- Lake Kegonsa State Park— State Park, 6.5 mi
- Governor Nelson State Park— State Park, 8.8 mi
- New Glarus Woods State Park— State Park, 22.3 mi
- Aztalan State Park— State Park, 24.1 mi
Where to stay near Capital Springs State Recreation Area
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Top-rated places to stay near Capital Springs State Recreation Area
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.