Lake Kegonsa State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Lafollette Park Oak Knolls Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Lake Kegonsa State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
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Summary
It covers over 343 acres of land and features a 3,200-acre lake. This park is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, with plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.
One of the main reasons to visit Lake Kegonsa State Park is to experience the great outdoors. The park offers several recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. The lake is home to various fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and musky, making it an ideal spot for fishing enthusiasts.
There are also several points of interest to see within the park, including a beach for swimming, picnic areas, and a boat launch. Visitors can also explore several scenic trails, including the Woodland Trail, which features stunning views of the lake and surrounding woodlands.
Interesting facts about the area include that the lake's name, Kegonsa, comes from the Ho-Chunk word "Kegon-zah," meaning "lake of the noisy water." The park was established in 1955 and was once a popular spot for Native American tribes.
The best time to visit Lake Kegonsa State Park is during the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is warm and sunny, and visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and hiking. However, the park is also open year-round and offers winter activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
In conclusion, Lake Kegonsa State Park is a beautiful natural area with plenty of recreational activities and points of interest to explore. It is a must-visit destination for people who love the outdoors and want to experience the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife that Wisconsin has to offer.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
LaFollette Park
Oak Knolls Park
Fish Camp Park
Norse Park
Bjoin Park