Governor Dodge State Park

Governor Dodge State Park is one of the largest and most varied state parks in Wisconsin, a sprawling 5,000-acre expanse of forested ridges, sheltered valleys, cascading streams, sandstone bluffs and two impoundment lakes set in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area — the ancient, unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin where Ice Age glaciers never reached, leaving deep valleys, rugged ridges and a distinctly old and weathered landscape unlike the smoothed, lake-dotted terrain to the north.

The park takes its name from Henry Dodge, Wisconsin’s first territorial governor. With more than 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding — including one of the finest equestrian trail systems in the Midwest — two lakes for swimming, boating and fishing, Twin Valley Campground, and a landscape of ridge-top views, seasonal waterfalls and the rugged beauty of the Driftless, Governor Dodge is a premier destination for outdoor recreation in southwestern Wisconsin.

Governor Dodge State Park offers exceptional recreation — hiking 40-plus miles of trails through Driftless Area ridges, valleys and along Mill Creek and Cox Hollow Lake; mountain biking on designated trails; horseback riding on one of Wisconsin’s finest equestrian trail systems; swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing on Cox Hollow Lake and Twin Valley Lake; camping in two campgrounds; picnicking; and visiting the park’s cascading streams and seasonal waterfalls. The combination of two lakes, extensive trails for multiple uses, equestrian facilities and the rugged Driftless scenery makes the park one of the most complete and versatile outdoor destinations in southwestern Wisconsin.

Fall is arguably the finest season at Governor Dodge, when the hardwood-forested Driftless ridges burst into color — brilliant oranges, reds and golds on the ridges above the valleys, with crisp air and excellent hiking on the park’s many trails. Spring brings wildflowers to the forested slopes and flowing water to the seasonal waterfalls and streams. Summer is busy with swimming, camping and equestrian use. The park is open year-round; fall for color and spring for wildflowers are the scenic highlights. Summer is the peak for lake recreation and camping. Check conditions in spring when trails can be muddy.

Governor Dodge State Park is named for Henry Dodge, Wisconsin’s first territorial governor (1836–1841) and an early settler of the region, who served as a military leader and one of the founders of Wisconsin Territory before statehood in 1848. The Iowa County area had a rich history of lead mining in the early 19th century, and the Driftless Area’s ancient landscape was home to Ho-Chunk and other Native American peoples for centuries before European settlement. The state park was established to protect and make accessible one of the largest and most scenic tracts of Driftless terrain in southwestern Wisconsin, and has grown into one of the state’s premier outdoor recreation destinations.

Governor Dodge State Park lies entirely within Wisconsin’s Driftless Area — the ancient, unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin where the great Ice Age glaciers never reached. The park’s deep valleys, rugged sandstone bluffs and ridges preserve the pre-glacial landscape that was smoothed, filled and reformed elsewhere in Wisconsin and the Midwest by glacial ice and meltwater. The Driftless landscape is far older and more deeply eroded than the glaciated terrain, with sandstone and dolomite bedrock exposed in the ridges and valley walls. Seasonal springs, seeps and cascading streams emerge from the porous bedrock, fed by precipitation filtering through the ridges.

The forested ridges, valleys, streams and lakes of Governor Dodge State Park host a rich community of Driftless Area wildlife — white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, foxes, and a diversity of birds including great blue herons on the lakes, bald eagles soaring over the ridges, woodpeckers in the mature forest, and an abundance of migrating warblers, thrushes and sparrows in spring and fall. The lakes support bass, panfish and northern pike. The varied habitats of ridge-top forest, valley stream, impoundment lake and open meadow make the park an excellent destination for wildlife watching and birding in the Driftless Area.

Governor Dodge State Park protects a significant expanse of the Driftless Area’s distinctive ecological community — a landscape where the unglaciated terrain supports habitats not found in the glaciated Midwest: dry oak savannas and prairies on the ridge tops, cool mesic forests in the sheltered valleys, spring seeps and cold streams fed by the porous bedrock, and the ridge-and-valley topography that creates a mosaic of microclimates supporting exceptional biodiversity. The Driftless Area is recognized as an ecological refugium, home to species that survived the Ice Age in the unglaciated terrain. Protecting the park’s forest, streams and ridge habitats sustains this biodiverse and ecologically significant landscape.

Governor Dodge State Park holds a cherished place in the outdoor heritage of southwestern Wisconsin, a beloved destination for hikers, equestrians, campers and families drawn to the rugged, scenic Driftless landscape of the Iowa County ridges. Named for Wisconsin’s founding territorial governor and set in the heart of the ancient Driftless Area, the park blends natural beauty and historical identity. Its equestrian trail system is among the finest in the Midwest, drawing horse-and-rider visitors from across the region, and the park’s combination of lakes, trails and scenery has made it a year-round destination for multiple generations.

Governor Dodge State Park is in Iowa County, Wisconsin, north of Dodgeville off State Route 23, about an hour west of Madison. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required. The park offers two campgrounds (Cox Hollow and Twin Valley), two lakes with swimming beaches, boat launches, multiple trailheads for hiking, biking and equestrian use, equestrian facilities and a nature center. The park is popular in summer and fall; campsite reservations are strongly recommended in the peak season. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for admission, reservations, trail conditions and equestrian facilities before visiting.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manages Governor Dodge State Park, protecting the Driftless Area ridges, forests, streams, lakes and wildlife habitats within one of the largest state parks in southwestern Wisconsin. Visitors help by staying on designated trails to protect the fragile Driftless soils and vegetation, respecting the equestrian trail system and other users, packing out everything, protecting the lakes’ water quality, and following all park rules. Protecting the park’s Driftless landscape sustains one of Wisconsin’s most ecologically significant and scenically beautiful natural areas.

Governor Dodge State Park’s ridge-top trails can be steep and slippery in wet conditions — wear sturdy footwear, watch footing on the descents, and carry water on longer hikes, especially in summer heat. Trails are shared among hikers, mountain bikers and horses; yield appropriately and stay alert, especially around horses. The lakes are suitable for swimming at designated beaches; wear a life jacket when boating or paddling. Watch for ticks and poison ivy in summer; check carefully after hikes. In hunting seasons, wear blaze orange on trails in the applicable areas. Check conditions in spring, when trails can be muddy after snowmelt and rain.

A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required. Stay on designated trails; equestrian trails are separate from some hiking and biking trails — respect the designation. Mountain bikes are allowed on designated trails only. Swim at designated beaches. Camp only in designated campgrounds with reservations in the peak season. Pets must be leashed and are restricted on some beaches. Fires in designated fire rings only. Drones generally require authorization. Pack out all trash. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for current rules, trail designations and equestrian facilities before visiting.

The city of Dodgeville, home to the famous Lands’ End headquarters, and the broader Iowa County landscape, including American Players Theatre (an outdoor professional Shakespeare venue in Spring Green) and the House on the Rock, are within easy reach. Spring Green and the Wisconsin River lie to the north, and the broader Driftless Area — with Wyalusing State Park, the Great River Road and the bluffs above the Mississippi — is accessible to the west. Governor Dodge anchors a rich cluster of natural and cultural destinations in southwestern Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless country.

Hike the ridge-top trails for sweeping Driftless Area views across the valley-and-ridge landscape of Iowa County, then cool off swimming in Cox Hollow Lake — the combination of ridge hiking and lake recreation makes for a perfect warm-season day. Visit in fall for the finest color in the hardwood forest, reserve a campsite well in advance for the peak season, and buy a park sticker. If you have horses, this is among the finest equestrian destinations in the Midwest — the trail system is extensive and well-maintained. Combine the park with a visit to nearby Spring Green and the American Players Theatre for a full Driftless weekend.