By Kevin Revolinski | Photography by Focal Flame Photography
Water, water everywhere — but what to do on its shores, or in its depths? We’ve got you covered. Here are the best ways to savor the lakes, whether on foot, in a boat or simply enjoying the view.
LAKE MENDOTA
9,781 acres/83 ft. max depth
On Land
Walk or run the Lakeshore Path starting at the Memorial Union 2.4 miles to Picnic Point — but note it continues 1.6 miles farther, past Frautschi Point. Bikes share the trail until the entrance to Picnic Point (but are not allowed past that) where the paved path diverges along University Bay Drive.
On Water
Paddling: Staying close to shore avoids fast boat traffic and offers better views. Outdoor UW at the Memorial Union rents canoes, kayaks and standup paddleboards (SUPs).
Boating: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney and Warner Parks have public boat launches if you own your
own watercraft (note: there’s a daily use fee if you don’t have an annual pass, see sidebar, P. 44). Capitol Boat Club, located at Mariner’s Inn, rents pontoons and deck boats. Madison Boats rents fishing boats, pontoons and kayaks at Marshall Park. Want to sit back and relax? Betty Lou Cruises (also moored at Mariner’s Inn) offers a plethora of trips, from dinner experiences to pizza and beer jaunts.
Eat and Drink
The Memorial Union Terrace, obviously! Another option is The Edgewater, where you can pull up your boat to The Boathouse Bar & Grill’s dock for waterside seating. (The hotel’s more formal The Statehouse offers a bird’s-eye view of the water from several stories up, if you prefer that.) On the city’s north side near the marina, enjoy steak and seafood at The Mariner’s Inn.
LAKE MONONA
3,359 acres/74 ft. max depth
On Land
The Lake Monona Bike Loop is a 13-mile route; the stretch from Olin Park to Williamson Street is the best for water views and walking. San Damiano Park in Monona is also nice for a picnic.
On Water
Paddling: Head to Brittingham Park, where Madison Boats has an outpost and water-lovers can enjoy Monona Bay. At Olbrich Park, Rutabaga rents kayaks, canoes and SUPs near the biergarten. Sneak up Starkweather Creek near here. Boating: Law, Olbrich, Tonyawatha, Winnequah and Olin Parks have public boat launches.
Eat and Drink
Monona Terrace’s rooftop Lake Vista Café offers a sunny perch for food and drink, overlooking beautiful blue waters. Monona Bait & Ice Cream has Babcock Hall’s finest (ice cream, of course) plus burgers and subs. Waypoint Public House has a pleasant patio that overlooks Yahara Bay. Drinks are best at the East Side Club’s Tiki Bar or The Biergarten at Olbrich Park.
Pontoon Rides!
Madison School & Community Recreation schedules $5 pontoon rides with pickups from Tenney, Olbrich and Warner Parks, and Goodspeed Pier at the Memorial Union. Madison Boats offers captained pontoon rides from The Edgewater Hotel pier. mscr.org, madisonboats.com
LAKE WAUBESA
2,074 acres/38 ft. max depth
On Land
Starting from either Lake Farm County Park or McFarland’s McDaniel Park, walk or bike the paved 21⁄2-mile, multi- use Lower Yahara River Trail and you’ll cross the north edge of the lake on a wide, one-mile scenic boardwalk.
On Water
Paddling: Pass under the Lower Yahara Trail boardwalk and explore Upper Mud Lake with channels
into the wetlands in Capitol Springs Recreation Area. Barr’s Resort in McFarland rents paddlecraft and row boats.
Boating: Public boat launches are located at Lake Farm, Goodland and Babcock Parks.
Eat and Drink
Christy’s Landing is right on the water, and has an outdoor tiki bar!
LAKE KEGONSA
3,200 acres/32 ft. max depth
On Land
Watch for phase two of the Lower Yahara River Trail to open, running two miles from Fish Camp County Park through Lake Kegonsa State Park, to be completed this fall.
On Water
Paddling: Try Lake Kegonsa State Park or explore up into the Yahara from Fish Camp County Park.
Boating: Ramps are at Pleasant Springs Park, Fish Camp County Park and Lake Kegonsa State Park.
Eat and Drink:
Pet-friendly Springers bills itself as a casual supper club, with outdoor seating and a water’s-edge view.
The Yahara River
The Tenney Lock gets boats from Mendota to Monona, with a pre-paid permit. Paddlers love this one-mile stretch, often putting in at Tenney Park. For other Yahara River water trails, check capitolwatertrails.org.
LAKE WINGRA
336 acres/14 ft. max depth
The only spring-fed lake and the smallest of the five lakes, it is a paddlers’ haven for its no-wake policy for the handful of fishing boats you may encounter. The Arboretum and Vilas Park surround it, lending the illusion you’re not in the heart of a city.
On Land
Hike the Wingra Woods Trail at the Arboretum to get close to the springs that feed Wingra or walk through Wingra Marsh on the north shore. There’s parking south of the juncture of Monroe, Odana and Nakoma Roads. While pleasure drives follow Arboretum Drive from the east entrance to the center — especially on Sundays when the central gate opens to the west side — the road is shared by runners, walkers and bikers. Go slow and watch for crossing turtles!
On Water
Paddling: Anywhere! Rent non-motorized craft, including SUPs, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and row boats from Madison Boats at Wingra Park.
Boating: Wingra Park has the only boat ramp. Remember: no wake.
Eat and Drink
There are no restaurants actually on Lake Wingra, but Monroe Street is a short stroll from Wingra Park, where you can find Fairchild for James Beard Award- level dining, pub grub at Laurel Tavern, a variety of eats at Everly, poke bowls at Miko Poke and more. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream is a stone’s throw away as well for cool treats.
Boat Ramps FYI
Public boat ramps require a daily or annual county permit. In 2024, fees are $8 daily or $50 annually for Dane County residents, including for kayaks and canoes. Lake Kegonsa and Governor Nelson State Parks require a state park sticker rather than a county permit.
