Lake Kegonsa State Park, #30

Lake Kegonsa State Park is located on the northeast shore of Lake Kegonsa, a 3,209 acre lake offering fishing, swimming and boating. We headed out to Lake Kegonsa State Park on a humid, drizzly day. At this point, when we tell G we are going to a state park to hike, his response is inevitably "let's do this!", which never fails to crack me up. We decided to hike the White Oak Nature Trail, which conveniently began at a playground area, so G (and Pete if we are being honest) was delighted with that.

About 10 minutes into our hike, it started raining fairly hard, but we were mostly shielded by the trees forming a canopy above us. It was almost peaceful, listening to the rain coming down on the tree tops, as we trudged along. As always, rain when it first starts is slightly dreamy, but as it continues, the trails inevitably become squishy and muddy.

The hike itself was pretty, a mostly even trail, through wooded areas. Lake Kegonsa is a popular fishing lake, and was known by early settlers as the "first lake" because it was the first of the four Madison lakes traveling up the Yahara River. The name "Kegonsa" is attributed to the Ho-Chunk Indians who lived in the area, and means "Lake of Many Fishes". Definitely a nice place for a day visit, and to enjoy the lake itself. Next stop, Nelson Dewey State Park!