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Lake Kegonsa
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Where is Lake Kegonsa State Park?
Lake Kegonsa State Park is located south of Madison near Stoughton, Wisconsin. From Madison take I90 south to the Stoughton exit (county N). Take county N to the right (south) to Koshkonong road. Turn right on Koshkonong and take it to Door Creek road. Turn left on Door Creek, the park will be ahead on the right.
What is it like?
Lake Kegonsa State Park is located on the shore of Lake Kegonsa. There are about 6 miles of mostly flat and open trails. There are a few hills and some wooded areas as well. The trails are groomed for classical skiing mostly with some areas designated for skate skiing. The trails are not rated for difficulty since all are relatively easy.
The open areas provide for some nice views of a winter marsh environment. The wooded areas appear to be wind damaged but are significantly quieter and more interesting than the marsh. The lake attracts snow mobiliers whose noise is ever present while skiing in the park.
Who will enjoy skiing at Lake Kegonsa State Park?
This is a good place for families and beginning skiers since the trails are easy. The sledding hill provides an added attraction for youngsters of all ages. Those skiers looking for a good workout will enjoy the park more than the local golf course.
Toilet facilities and parking are available.
How much does it cost?
A State Park sticker is required to enter. Stickers may be purchased from park staff or from a self-purchase box for the day or for the year for all of the Wisconsin State Parks and Forests.
Skiing Stories from Lake Kegonsa State Park
Candlelight Delight
by Lindsay Feuling
I ventured outside of my usual places to ski to attend the Candlelight Ski at Lake Kegonsa State Park. The directions from the web page were very accurate as I found, and was very pleased to find a smiling face and welcoming hospitality at the Park Entrance. The Candlelight event was from 6 to 9 pm, and I arrived at 8 pm, so I didn't waste any time and got on the trails right away in hopes that there would still be some hot chocolate still available when I was done.
As expected, the start of the skiing was at the trail head, going for about a mile into the circular Green loop, which was through a largely wooded area which I am guessing is the normal camping area. The trails were lit up with white paper bag luminaries located about 20 to 30 feet apart. There was no moon out, but the sky was very clear, so all of the stars were shining. Since it was my first time skiing on this trail, I was a bit worried about not knowing my way, but the frequent candlelight provided needed guidance.
Once I completed the three-quarter Green loop trail, I continued back to where I started, followed the candlelight into the Blue loop trail. This trail follows along the western wooded border of the park with a large open prairie to the south and east. About half-way through the first Blue loop, the trail connected to another Blue loop which went further to the southern border of the park, and eventually turning back to the north. Once I connected back to the first Blue loop trail, I followed the candlelight going straight north back to the trail head.
While skiing back toward the trail head, I occasionally looked across the open prairie and saw the line of luminaries, not to be missed with the beautiful starry night. I tried looking west through the wooded border of the park to see if I could see where Lake Kegonsa was located from where I was, but it was difficult to tell exactly. I mean, I could definitely see an area where house and road lights did not exist. But in some of that area, I'm guessing that I may have seen a few lights from people ice fishing out on the lake. Also, while skiing north on the Blue loops, I noticed a few trails, unlit, that went off somewhere else. Those would be the Yellow and another part of the Blue trail. Once I got back to the trail head, I was able to locate a ski trail map, thanks with the help of the friendly park ranger. But I am thinking that I will want to come back in the daytime and explore those other trails.
After my completing of these two trails, I walked over to a place just off the parking lot by the trail head, where there was a bonfire. And yes, there was still some hot chocolate for me to enjoy. The fire was enjoyable as well, being warm and toasty. And so I want to thank those kind people who provided their services for the event. I heard a few people saying that they wished this event would happen every weekend at this park. That sounds pretty good to me.
As far as the ski trail conditions, well, I must say that the grooming was excellent. And I actually did tell that kind park ranger that they did a very fine job with the trails. From what I could tell on both the Green and Blue trails, they were groomed for both classic and skating, with plenty of room for both. The terrain was flat for the Green trail. For the Blue trail, there were very slight ascents and descents, but I was able to easily ski the ascents without getting out of the classic track. The classic tracks were very smooth, steady and strait, and moderately fast. When I proceeded to pass a few skiers who were actually moving slower than I was, I ventured into the skating side of the groomed trail and found it to be fluffy, easy to skate in, and not too soft. From the map, the Green trail is rated Intermediate, and the Blue trail is Beginner.
I would definitely recommend this place for beginner and intermediate level skiers, and for a family outing as well. And I would like to, in the near future, go back and visit to try out the other trails. From the map I see that there is a hiking and snowshoeing trail as well.
Happy trails!
