Yellowstone Lake State Park
Overview
Yellowstone Lake State Park is in the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin. This 1,000-acre park, with an additional 455-acre lake offers visitors ample space to enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking and picnicking. In winter the park is open to ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The lake is stocked with game fish on a regular basis. The park has 128 family campsites, five group sites, nine picnic areas, a reserveable shelter building, a swimming beach, two boat landings, and a canoe launch. A concession stand and boat rentals are located at the east end of the lake and are available during summer.
The 4,000-acre Yellowstone Wildlife Area next to Yellowstone State Park offers many additional recreation opportunities, including horse trails and a shooting range. The wildlife area is managed by the Bureau of Wildlife Management. The state park and wildlife area combined total over 5,500 acres.
Activities
Boating
The 455-acre lake is shared by boats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats and other personal watercraft. There are two boat launching ramps and one canoe launch. A concession stand and boat rentals are located at the east end of the lake and are available during summer.
Bicycling
Yellowstone Lake State Park provides 4 miles of off-road biking trails. The park roads and trails are heavily used, so bikers should always be alert to traffic and pedestrians.
Camping
Yellowstone Lake State Park offers 128 individual campsites; 108 are reservable and 38 have electrical hookups. There are also five group sites. The campground is open April through November.
Vault toilets and drinking water are available year-round. A dumping station, flush toilets and showers are available seasonally.
Fishing
Yellowstone Lake has an abundant population of crappies, walleye, and other game fish. Fishing opportunities also exist for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, muskies, and northern pike.
Hiking
Hiking: There are more than 13 miles of hiking trails at Yellowstone Lake. The main trail head is located at the bottom of Campground Hill Road.
Horseback Riding
In addition to the trails at the state park, Yellowstone Wildlife Area has about 30 miles of horse trails. The horse trails are open daily from May 1 to November 15.
Hunting
Deer hunting is allowed within Yellowstone Lake State Park. A special permit (free of charge) is required. The permit is available at the park office. See the current Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for complete rules and tagging instructions.
Picnicking
There are nine designated picnic areas. The picnic shelter is at the west end of the lake and is available for rental. These day use and picnic areas do not have garbage or recycling bins, so please remember to practice carry in, carry out.
Pets are not allowed in the picnic, beach or playground areas. There are designated pet areas west of the beach. Please remember that pets must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet.
RVing
Thirty-eight sites in the campground have electrical hook-ups.
Water Sports
Yellowstone Lake has a designated swimming beach and a bathhouse nearby. No lifeguards are on duty.
Winter Sports
Cross-country skiing: Five miles of trail are groomed and tracked in the winter as conditions and staffing allow. A Wisconsin State Park trail pass is not required at Yellowstone Lake, but a vehicle admission sticker is needed. Vault toilets are available near the trail heads.
Snowmobiling: There are 7 miles of snowmobile trail within the park, which also connects with Lafayette County snowmobile trails. Wisconsin requires those who use snowmobile trails to display either a Wisconsin registration or a non-resident snowmobile trail pass.
Seasonality/Weather
Open year-round. The campground is open April through November.
Directions
Driving
If you are traveling from Madison, head west on Highway 18/151 west toward Dodgeville. Near Mount Horeb you will see the exit to State Highway 78. Exit onto 78 and head south to Blanchardville. When you reach Blanchardville, cross the Pecatonica River. At the top of the hill is County Highway F (right hand turn). Take County Highway F about 8 miles to Lake Road. There you will see a sign for Yellowstone Lake State Park. Turn left onto Lake Road. The park office is about one mile down the road on the right side.
Those traveling from Dubuque should take Highway 11 east to Highway 23 north to Darlington. In Darlington, take County F for about 10 miles to Lake Road. Watch for signs for Yellowstone Lake State Park. Turn right onto Lake Road and the park office will be one mile on the right.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(608) 523-4427Campground reservations
(888) 947-2757Links
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