Stewart Lake County PArk

About Stewart Lake County Park

Stewart Lake County Park was established in 1935, making it the first County Park in Dane County. Within this 191-acre park is shimmering Stewart Lake, an artificial lake on spring-fed tributary of Moen Creek. The lake offers a challenge for trout and bass fishing. Recreational facilities include picnic shelters, play equipment, hiking trails, and a beach area (no lifeguard on duty). Please note that gas motors are not allowed on Stewart Lake (electric motors are permitted).
Stewart Lake is midway down a narrow sandstone valley. The Park and the walk extend up the valley to the ridge top surrounding views of the lake. The walk features Oak Openings, Savannas, a bluff ridge and Prairies overlooking Stewart Lake. Beautiful views from atop the ridges and among the prairie. Bring a towel, the sand bottom beach is available without life guard.

The Walk	The grounds are open to you. You may swim a well marked beach, fish the lake, picnic in the shelter and walk on any and any or all of the four designated paths that lead from the lake up through the woods covered valley to the bluff ridge atop the park. The walk will take you through woods, prairies in full bloom during the summer months, and savannas at a leisurely pace. Take time to enjoy overlooks and try to identify some of the plants and birds we'll see.
Length of Walk	Feel comfortable taking a 2 to 4 hour walk on the path Various well marked trails that might add up to 4 + miles. The walk will take about 2 to 3 hours and cover approximately two and a half miles. This park has long been a favorite of ours and you'll find it quite beautiful.

Park Features	Swimming Beach, fishing lake (motorless boat), hand-water pump at the picnic shelter and grills. An earthan dam that can easily crossed by foot or used to relax on as you fish for lunch. From the top of the bluffs, there are beautiful views of the wooded lake and Bluemounds State Park in the distance. The two kiosks in the park show the various well marked trails that might add up to 4 + miles total.

Trail Conditions Accessibility	The wide paths are well maintained and suitable for those walking with canes but could be a stsruggle for those having difficulty walking. As the area has multiple springs that fill Stewart Lake, the paths may be soggy following a rain or a wet Spring.

Driving and Parking Instructions

Stewart Lake County Park can be reached by traveling north on County Highway JG from Main Street in the Village of Mt. Horeb.

3101 County Highway JG

Mt. Horeb, WI 53572

Get Directions
Park in the lot with the shelter and beech. The trailhead is located to the right of the beech and past the water pump and picnic shelter.

Comments or questions about the walks?

This self-guided walk was developed from a list of successful docent-led walks Carla and I and other faithful volunteers have conducted over the last four years. I will be adding more to the list as the pandemic continues to keep us isolated. Building these self-guided walk is very much a "work in progress". If you have ideas for improving communications about the walks or additional information provide, drop me a line.

If you have a favorite walk please drop a note and I'll get back to you shortly. Please mark the subject line of the email "PLATO Walks" so that I can get to them quickly. Remember that both State Parks and City Parks are not available to the public.

Mike DiIorio at mdiiorio1234@gmail.com or text me at 608 520 4448.

I hope you enjoy the walks. Stay healthy, stay safe.

PLATO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported in part by:

info@platomadison.org

Facebook: @platomadison

608-572-6869

6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705

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