Coon Fork Lake

The soft rustle of leaves mingles with distant calls of loons over Coon Fork Lake, where early morning mist drifts just above the water’s surface. Arriving along County Road CF, the asphalt roads curve gently through tall pines and birch trees, guiding you past campsites framed by wildflowers and maple groves. The clean scent of fresh woodsmoke from neighboring campfires hints at gatherings unfolding as sunlight filters through the canopy. A newly built welcome office stands bright and welcoming, signaling the care poured into this quiet refuge each season.

Stretching about a mile long and half a mile wide, Coon Fork Lake invites paddlers and anglers alike. Kayaks glide silently across its calm waters, exploring the man-made lake’s serene coves and the spillway by the dam where water cascades with a soothing rush. Walking trails trace the shoreline, weaving past meandering creeks and pockets of marshland where dragonflies dart. Five miles east of Augusta, Wisconsin, the park offers a peaceful pause from town life without feeling far away. Bicyclists and trikers find smooth asphalt paths winding through the campground, while fishermen cast lines hoping to catch a bass or bluegill in the quiet coves.

Campers settle into a mix of non-electric and water-and-electric sites, especially those clustered near the D loop where views of the dock and dam unfold. The sites offer generous space for rigs, with enough shade to keep tents cool on warm afternoons. Bathhouses and restrooms gleam with well-maintained cleanliness that draws nods of appreciation from visitors. Though self-supplied firewood is recommended—since the office’s stock tends to be damp—the crackle of campfires fills the night air, accompanied by kids’ laughter near the playgrounds, which show signs of wear but remain a hub for family fun. As the sun dips low, campers gather lakeside to watch colors deepen and the water mirror the evening sky.

At Coon Fork Lake, city noise fades into the background, replaced by the gentle lap of water and the rustling of wind through leaves. The steady rhythm of days spent paddling, hiking, and sharing stories by campfires keeps visitors returning year after year, drawn by a sense of simple, well-kept tranquility where the seasons unfold quietly along the water’s edge.