Outdoors
Lakes near Madison
30 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
30
Closest
1.3 mi
Lake Monona
Within 10 miles
9
Reservoirs
5
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 30 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 1.3miLake Monona
- 2.3miLake Wingra
- 3miLake Mendota
- 3.8miUpper Mud Lake
- 5.4miLake Waubesa
- 7.2miLower Mud Lake
- 8.9miBarney Lake
- 9.3miHook Lake
- 10miLake Kegonsa
- 12.3miLake Katherine
- 13.4miBrandenburg Lake
- 13.4miBrazee Lake
- 14.7miIndian Lake
- 15miDunkirk Millpondreservoir
- 16.4miLake Belle Viewreservoir
- 16.9miGoose Lake
- 17.2miMud Lake
- 17.3miMaunesha Riverreservoir
- 19.2miCrystal Lake
- 20.1miFish Lake
- 20.2miLake Leotareservoir
- 20.5miHope Lake
- 20.5miLake Ripley
- 21.3miRed Cedar Lake
- 22.7miGibbs Lake
- 22.8miRock Lake
- 23.6miLake Wisconsinreservoir
- 25.6miLake Koshkonong
- 27.7miColumbia Lake
- 29.5miDevil's Lake
Straight-line distance from the center of Madison; driving and trail distances are longer.
Before you go
Many reservoirs are drinking-water supplies with no swimming or body contact. Look for a designated swim beach.
Green, scummy or paint-like water can be a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Keep kids and dogs out and check the county advisory.
Boat launches often need a day pass or inspection for invasive mussels, and anglers 16 and older usually need a state fishing license.
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Questions
What is the closest lake to Madison?
Lake Monona, about 1.3 miles from the center of Madison.
How many lakes are near Madison?
30 named lakes are within 30 miles, 9 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Madison natural?
5 of the 30 are reservoirs made by dams; the rest are mapped as natural lakes. Swimming rules differ, so check each one.
Sources: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked 2026-11-08; photos from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Access, fees and conditions change; check before visiting.