Andrew Kasper
An RV camper proudly flies the american flag over the campground at Lake Farm Park.
This Isthmus travel series is a collection of overnight, camping adventures in and around Madison that is tailored for car-free travel. Each is designed to fit into a two day weekend (two days of travel, one night under the stars). The trips range from a short jaunt just a few miles away from the Capitol to an all-day bike ride to the edge of the county. The means of possible transport include everything from bicycling, paddling, walking, skateboarding, rollerblading, to a city bus (yes, you can take a Madison city bus to a campsite), or go by any other way of which you can think. Just remember, the only rule is: no cars allowed.
Anybody with a little ambition and desire can journey to at least one, if not all of the featured spots. These earth-friendly and wallet-friendly trips can help to alleviate the self-guilt of the environmentalist who drives his or her car (even if it is a hybrid) hundreds of miles to enjoy the outdoors, the plight of the vacationer on a budget, or the condition of the poor student trapped in the confines of Madison's downtown due to limited personal transportation, while still offering unparalleled sightseeing, tranquility and, of course, adventure.
So, adventuresome souls, the journey begins on your front porch. Read on and be prepared to Travel Local.
It is known that Prussian philosopher Immanuel Kant, one of the most influential modern philosophers, never journeyed more than a few kilometers outside of his home town of Konigsberg. Had Kant been a Madisonian, Lake Farm Park would have been well within his comfort radius of travel, and the golden sunsets at Lake Farm Park would have left even the great Kant searching for a deeper meaning. Find photos of Lake Farm by clicking the Gallery tab below the photo at top.
Situated just south of Madison on the shores of Lake Waubesa, the name Lake Farm County Park says it all: it was once a farm on a lake, now it's a county park. A plot of land that was once slotted to become a trailer park, is now the site of restored prairie, preserved marshes, and bountiful wildlife. The distant silhouette of the capital that can be seen nestled over the top of the cattails and marsh grass reminds forgetful travelers meandering the spider web of trails, that although they might feel far from the city, they are indeed still close to home.
Diversion: Lake Farm Park has plenty of hiking trails that will keep you occupied. A map can be obtained at the campground office or here (PDF). The trails will take you along the shores of Lake Waubesa, into the patchwork of linked wetlands dubbed the "E-Way" or through the flowering prairie. You can also take a swim in Lake Waubesa to cool off after a summer's day of travel (it's a little bit more exerting when internal combustion isn't doing all of the work). And after the sun sets you can take yourself a short ways down the bike path to The Farm -- a rural crossroads bar right off the trail. Depending on how much leather you're wearing when you walk into the bar, they may assume you're lost and looking for directions, but sit down, order a beer or a Coke and a burger with fries and mingle with the friendly folk.
Route: The beauty of Lake Farm Park and its picturesque landscape is promoted by its accessibility (for a map of routes, see below). You can set out on your bike from Monona Terrace on the Monona bike path and arrive within an hour. Similarly, a half-day kayak or canoe trip will bring you to the shores of the park on Lake Waubesa.
Directions by land: Shortly after passing Olin-Turville Park, a right-hand turn under the Beltline on the Capital City Bike Trail, and a few more miles down the path, will bring you right to the campground. The bike path will serve skateboards, rollerblades or even someone who wishes to hike the 5 mile distance. It should be noted that a trail pass is required on the Capital City Trail. One can be purchased ($4.00 daily, $20.00 annual) at the first kiosk at the intersection of Knob Hill Road.
Directions by water: The water route is longer and more complicated than the bike path, but easily achievable. If leaving from the Monona Terrace you should navigate toward the southeastern part of Lake Monona. After entering Squaw Bay, follow the channel south under the Beltline, into Upper Mud Lake. Just past the Beltline crossing is a sand bar called Gilligan's Island which is a popular place for partying motor boaters. Continue south through Upper Mud Lake and pass under the railroad bridge into Lake Waubesa. In Lake Waubesa, hug the western shoreline and watch for the first dock on the right. This dock is at the shelter area of Lake Farm Park. After docking, you can carry your boat less than a mile to the campground (use the park map (PDF) to find the trail from the "accessible fishing pier" to the "Lussier Family Heritage Center), or lock your watercraft up to a tree near the pier.
Gear: For the bicycle traveler any kind of pull-along trailer or touring set-up is optimal, with a rack and bungee cords to strap down the tent, and panniers (bicycle bags) to hold your sleeping bag, clothes and food. For a bicycle traveler without a proper set-up or a skateboarder, walker, in-line skater, better get yourself a big backpack or wagon and some friends who don't complain much. For the paddler, just throw it all in the boat. Take care to put valuables and such in plastic bags, but more importantly: don't tip over!
Accommodations: Camping is $16 per night and the often clean facilities offer flush toilets and showers.
Conservation history: On the evening of a vote deciding whether to purchase and preserve an expanse of wetlands adjacent to the Lake Farm Park campground, Bud Morton a former county board and parks commission member, apologized to Mother Nature as he addressed the attendees: "Some believed your wetlands are only for rats and have no other value. They are now learning, however slowly, that your wetlands, surface water, and your aquifers are important for our survival... You have spoiled us with your abundance which we waste each day without anticipating that these losses cannot be replaced. Tonight we are again faced with a decision on the purchase of some wetlands for the E-Way corridor."
The decision to purchase a new section of the E-Way corridor passed, and that section now sits across the road from the Lake Farm County Park campground.
