Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach
Stoughton, Wisconsin · on Lake Kegonsa · Lake Kegonsa State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach
Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach is an official, designated swimming hole on Lake Kegonsa in Lake Kegonsa State Park near Stoughton, Wisconsin, managed by the Wisconsin DNR. It is a sandy lake beach with supporting park infrastructure (bathhouse, concessions, picnic shelters, boat launch) and a separate dog swimming area nearby, which makes this a well-equipped lake to swim in.
The beach sits on the shore of Lake Kegonsa, a roughly 3,200-acre lake, within a Wisconsin state park that also contains prairie/woodland natural areas. The Lakeshore Trail, a half-mile path, runs along the shoreline past the boat landing, fish pier, and beach.
Swimming at Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach
Swimming takes place off a wide, sandy designated beach on Lake Kegonsa. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers are on their own for supervision; the setting is described as family/recreation oriented with picnic and lounging areas adjacent to the water. A separate dog swimming beach with a shallow area and wooden jetty is located apart from the main human swimming area.
The hike in
No hike is needed, the beach is a drive-up/short-walk-from-parking facility. The paved, roughly 0.5-mile Lakeshore Trail runs along the shore past the fish pier and beach for visitors who want an optional stroll, but it is not required to reach the swimming area.
Confirmed via Wisconsin DNR park recreation page, which lists swimming and the Lakeshore Trail as separate, adjacent activities rather than the beach being trail-access-only.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy, gently-sloping lake beach with no lifeguards on duty, so young swimmers need direct adult supervision. More importantly, Lake Kegonsa has a documented history of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms and E. coli spikes that trigger public-health beach closures (the beach was closed 11 times in 2019 alone, 9 for cyanobacteria, 2 for high E. coli) per Clean Lakes Alliance data, so it is worth checking current beach-status postings before letting kids swim.
Parking
Paid
Multiple parking areas serve the beach and adjacent picnic areas within the state park; entry requires a Wisconsin State Park system vehicle admission sticker (exact daily/annual sticker price not confirmed this session).
Restrooms
Yes
A bathhouse/changing building is located at the swim beach; the park overall also has flush toilets, vault toilets, and shower facilities at other developed areas (campground, shelters).
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
DNR/Clean Lakes Alliance monitoring shows summer water clarity (Secchi depth) has ranged widely year to year, about 4.6 ft in 2018 and 3.4 ft in 2017 (both rated 'good' by state standards) down to a low of 1.6 ft in 2012. Phosphorus loading (76% of it arriving via the Yahara River from upstream, largely agricultural, watershed) drives periodic cyanobacteria blooms; 2018 saw 25 nearshore blooms versus a 4-year median of 2.5, and the beach was closed 11 times in 2019 for cyanobacteria/E. coli. Net effect: clarity and swimmability can be good on a given day but is not consistently clear, and can turn murky/advisory-level during algae events, especially late summer.
Hours
Park open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
On the water
The park has a boat launch with accessible boarding piers on the lake's southern end, and DNR lists boating, canoeing, and kayaking as park activities; no specific no-wake or horsepower restriction was found sourced this session. The park also runs an adaptive tandem kayak available through its accessibility rental program (not a public commercial rental).
Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach: FAQ
Does Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach charge a fee?
A Wisconsin State Park system vehicle admission sticker is required for entry; the park itself is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
Is Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach kid friendly?
Sandy, gently-sloping lake beach with no lifeguards on duty, so young swimmers need direct adult supervision. More importantly, Lake Kegonsa has a documented history of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms and E. coli spikes that trigger public-health beach closures (the beach was closed 11 times in 2019 alone, 9 for cyanobacteria, 2 for high E. coli) per Clean Lakes Alliance data, so it is worth checking current beach-status postings before letting kids swim.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach?
Multiple parking areas serve the beach and adjacent picnic areas within the state park; entry requires a Wisconsin State Park system vehicle admission sticker (exact daily/annual sticker price not confirmed this session).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach?
The park has a boat launch with accessible boarding piers on the lake's southern end, and DNR lists boating, canoeing, and kayaking as park activities; no specific no-wake or horsepower restriction was found sourced this session. The park also runs an adaptive tandem kayak available through its accessibility rental program (not a public commercial rental).
When is the best time to visit Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach?
Summer; the beach's water quality is tested seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, indicating that as the official swim season.
What are the rules at Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach?
No lifeguards are on duty at the swim beach, so visitors swim at their own risk. Dogs are directed to a separate designated dog swimming beach rather than the main beach.
What water body is Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach on?
Lake Kegonsa State Park Beach is on Lake Kegonsa, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
