Governor Dodge State Park, located about 16 miles northwest of Black Earth, Wisconsin, offers over 5,000 acres of diverse terrain with forested hills and valleys carved by glacial activity. The park sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,180 feet above sea level, creating varied microclimates for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with spring and fall camping seasons experiencing cooler overnight temperatures that require extra layers.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: Governor Dodge State Park offers dog-friendly trails and a dedicated dog beach. "My boyfriend and I brought our two dogs here to camp. They had a dog beach for them to swim in which was a huge plus! Great hiking with some beautiful scenery," shares Sarah B.
Kayaking on Mirror Lake: Mirror Lake State Park provides calm waters perfect for paddling, with unique sandstone formations along the shoreline. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs. We only did 2 hiking trails but they were well maintained," notes Julia B.
Geocaching adventures: Lake Kegonsa State Park features multiple geocache locations throughout its trail system. "Plenty of hiking trails and geocaches to keep you occupied! You can rent kayaks and canoes!" according to Denise L., who appreciated the variety of activities available.
What campers like
Water activities: Wisconsin Riverside Resort offers river tubing with convenient transportation. "Free shuttle takes you up river for a 3 hour float trip. We reserved one campsite for 2 couples. There was a picnic table, fire pit and electric hookup onsite," reports Joe K.
Group camping options: Governor Dodge State Park provides spacious group sites separated from the main campground. "Stayed here last year with a group of friends! Had 2 different group sites and both were awesome! A lot of space and not close to other group sites so it was nice to not have to worry about surrounding people!" explains Amanda J.
Clean facilities: Lake Kegonsa State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "I spent 1 night on the way to SD. My site was right next to camp hosts, and very near showers which were clean and lots of hot water. Site was clean and nice," writes Hubert M.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Mirror Lake State Park, sites vary significantly in size and privacy. "Private sites with lots of woods. Shower and toilets are clean... staff is great. Firewood is also high quality.. $7/bundle or 3 for $20," reports Stacey N.
Wildlife awareness: Governor Dodge State Park has active wildlife, particularly after dark. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns Jen L., who noted that proper food storage is essential for a peaceful camping experience.
Highway noise considerations: Some campsites at Mirror Lake State Park experience traffic noise. "Beautiful facility but the traffic noise was atrocious," Kelly B. mentions, suggesting campers choose sites farther from the highway for a quieter experience.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly glamping: Merry Mac's Campground near Merrimac offers specialized accommodations for families seeking upscale camping close to Black Earth, Wisconsin. "Plenty of things to do here to keep the kids engaged and busy very clean Campground the campsites are well-kept swimming Pond was clean and plenty of fun things to climb on and slide down," David H. shares.
Water play options: Fox Hill RV Park provides multiple water recreation options for different age groups. "The kids loved the blow ops in the pond. The pool was nice, but a bit colder than the pond. It's heated with a solar cover. There are well kept large outdoor games like chess, connect 4, and checkers," Joan observes.
Activity scheduling: Wisconsin Dells KOA organizes regular entertainment for younger campers. "They also provided movie night on a project underneath a pavilion. Very quiet at night! Hookups for everything," notes Jaime L., highlighting the balance between structured activities and restful camping.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Fox Hill RV Park requires preparation for uneven sites. "Our site was very unlevel side to side. It took two 2x6 and a 1x6 under the camp side to be level. That made the first step into the coach, and last step out of the coach extremely high off the ground," Jeff G. explains.
RV size considerations: Governor Dodge State Park has limitations for larger vehicles. "Two good lakes for kayaking/canoeing/fishing/swimming. Lots of good hiking trails and they are working on a big improvement to the equestrian campground. Lots of activities in the area and close to shopping in the town of Dodgeville," notes Paul C., who cautions the park is "great for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes."
Full hookup options: Smokey Hollow Campground provides complete services for RVs seeking luxury glamping options near Black Earth. "This is a nice out of the way place with a bunch of activities, but is just a hair below some of the other area campgrounds," Brian H. reports, mentioning the campground's numerous amenities for RV campers seeking comfort.