Babcock County Park is a park with a busy boat launch and a campground located by the highway. It also has a dam and lock along Lake Waubesa. The water abounds with pan fish and boasts a few muskies. Click here for more info.
McFarland has many businesses to choose from with the Green Lantern, Larson’s Beach, and Barr’s Store leading the way. Sports fans can enjoy curling at Madison Curling Club, hockey at the Community Ice Area, and bowling at Spartan Bowl.
Boat Launch
The lakefront at Babcock Park offers a busy boat launch on one end and a campground at the other with Highway 51 and the dam and lock in between. The channel that runs between the campground and the highway is excellent fishing at times.
A daily or annual permit is required year-round at designated sites to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV. Permits may be purchased ONLINE or at the park office during regular business hours starting November 1 of the previous year. The permit must be displayed on the inside of the driver’s side window.
McFarland is home to several sports facilities including the Madison Curling Club, hockey at the McFarland Community Ice Area, and the William McFarland Sports Complex. You can also enjoy golf at the McFarland Country Club and bowling at Spartan Bowl. The Village of McFarland is also proud to support youth sports through its McFarland Youth Athletic Foundation.
Fishing
A long and narrow park, it has a campground at one end and a boat launch at the other. It also has a channel that offers fishing opportunities. This park is named for Wisconsin dairy scientist Stephen Babcock, who developed a method to determine butterfat content in milk.
The Village continues to promote its brand as an inviting and vibrant waterfront village with a historic heritage and resource base, strong civic events, and involved citizens. The Village also provides safe and appealing places to live, work, shop, eat, play, and study.
The Village will continue to enhance access and quality of Lake Waubesa, Mud Lake, the Yahara River, and other waterways that make up our community’s natural resources. This will be accomplished through resource-focused marketing, education, and volunteer development initiatives. The Village will also explore expanding public fishing opportunities on non-tidal streams by coordinating with Dane County and local non-profits to identify Tier I and Tier II fisheries. A great place to also visit is Warner Park.
Campground
Named after Wisconsin dairy scientist Stephen Babcock, this park is on the east side of Lake Waubesa at the outflow of the Yahara River near the Village of McFarland on U.S. Highway 51. The Campground is fully electric and includes a group shelter, playground, walking path, boat launch, and mooring dock. The Park also features a memorial to Stephen Babcock, who discovered the method for determining the percentage of butterfat in milk.
The Village of McFarland has plenty to do, from curling at Madison Curling Club, skating at the McFarland Community Ice Arena, or bowling at Spartan Bowl. Or check out the thriving business community of local stores, restaurants, and service providers. If sports are your thing, try McFarland Youth Sports, the John Urso Community Park, or William McFarland Park for bocce courts and skate parks. The McFarland State Bank is a huge supporter of all community events and athletics in the area.
Restrooms
Babcock County Park sits on a narrow stretch of Lake Waubesa in McFarland with a campground at one end and a busy boat launch at the other. In between are a parking lot and the lock where Lake Waubesa empties into the Yahara River. The parking lot has restrooms and the camp-ground office is located near the entrance to both.
This park is a part of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area. Eight partnering agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003 pledging re- sources to preserve this area.
In addition to camping, hiking, and fishing, the park has a dog exercise area and trails. The park also has a picnic shelter, an ice skating rink, and soccer fields. Other recreational opportunities include curling at Madison Curling Club, hockey at McFarland Community Ice Arena, and bowling at Spartan Bowl. The village of McFarland also offers bocce courts, a skate park, and a tennis court. Next article.
Driving directions from Madison Window Cleaning to Babcock County Park
Driving directions from Babcock County Park to Sandy Beach
