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Sunset over the pine treeline on Slim Lake, the sun reflected on light chop

Capital Springs State Recreation Area

Capital Springs State Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Dane County. It was established in 2000. 8 lakes with water-quality readings 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 measured lakes nearby, enough for a multi-lake visit; each lake page carries its own clarity, phosphorus and algae readings.

Reading the per-lake measurements alongside the park designation gives a fuller picture than either alone: the park tells you what land is protected, the readings tell you what condition the water in that protected area is in.

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Designation
State Recreation Area
County
Dane County
Established
2000

Nearby Lakes (within 15 mi)

Lakes closest to Capital Springs State Recreation Area, weighted by size. Click a lake for its water-quality readings, fish species, and depth.

LakeCountySurface AreaDistance
Lake WaubesaDane2,074 acres1.7 mi
Lake MendotaDane9,781 acres6.3 mi
Lake KegonsaDane3,200 acres6.5 mi
Lake WingraDane336 acres4.6 mi
Lake MononaDane-2.3 mi
Odana PondDane14 acres6.6 mi
Tiedman PondDane9 acres9.5 mi
American Way PondDane-9.7 mi

Other Parks in the Area

Park location and metadata sourced from Wikidata. For trail maps, camping reservations, and current conditions, visit the official WI DNR page. Lake readings come from the EPA Water Quality Portal and are shown beside the EPA National Lakes Assessment condition class for the lake's ecoregion. Secchi clarity is shown, not classified.

Where to stay near Capital Springs State Recreation Area

Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Capital Springs State Recreation Area — find a place to stay close to the park and its nearby lakes.

Top-rated places to stay near Capital Springs State Recreation Area

Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.