Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area

Cadiz Springs is a day use area that provides picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching opportunities. Located in southwest Wisconsin's driftless area, the landscape is uniquely different from the rest of the state. Here the bogs, marshes and many lakes are replaced by rolling hills and valleys with spring-fed streams. There is no camping at Cadiz Springs.

Activities and recreation

Hiking
Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area has eight miles of hiking trails. Cadiz Springs is one of the best places to view wildlife with its variety of forest, aquatic and meadow habitats.

Picnic areas
Cadiz Springs picnic areas offer a variety of cooking grills and picnic tables for day users. The park offers two large open shelters with lights and electricity.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking
The two lakes at Cadiz Springs total 93 acres. Beckman lake has a boat landing for launching boats. Kayaks and canoes can be portaged into Zander lake. Both Beckman and Zander lakes have restrictions for electric motors only.

Swimming
Cadiz Springs offers a 150-foot sand beach for swimmers to enjoy. The beach is open and monitored from Memorial day to Labor day. No lifeguards are present. Pets and fishing are prohibited in the swimming area year-round.

Fishing
Fishing is very popular with both warm and cold water species of fish available. Both lakes contain fine populations of largemouth bass and an abundant population of panfish, provide an enjoyable challenge to many anglers who visit the recreation area. Anglers may catch brown or rainbow trout, northern pike, catfish and bullheads. All anglers 16 years and older must have a fishing license.

Anglers of any age may check out basic fishing equipment free of charge at the park office. This equipment was donated by the Tackle Loaner Program. Call the park office to find out what equipment is available.

Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are permitted in the property during legal hunting and trapping seasons. No person may hunt or trap without first obtaining a property map identifying those areas closed to hunting and trapping within the property. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails.

Winter activities
Ungroomed, back country, cross-country skiing is permitted on all trails as snow conditions allow. The trail system provides relatively flat and rewarding skiing through mature forests and along the lakes. Snowshoeing and winter hiking are permitted on all trails as snow conditions allow.

Staff do not monitor or measure the thickness of the ice on the lake's surface. Ice thickness and safety can vary from day to day and from location to location. Use your best judgment about the safety of the ice. Sleds, shanties and motor vehicles choosing to enter onto the ice must enter through the boat landing. Entering the lake ice through the beach is prohibited.