Governor Dodge State Park offers some of the most accessible glamping near Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, with sites situated at elevations ranging from 900-1,200 feet above sea level in the unglaciated Driftless Area. Located just 18 miles from Blue Mounds, this 5,000-acre park features two lakes, over 40 miles of trails, and seasonal temperature variations that make spring and fall particularly ideal for glamping. Tent and RV camping options can be found across multiple campgrounds within a 30-minute drive radius of Blue Mounds.
What to do
Kayaking at Governor Dodge State Park: Explore the two lakes at this park about 18 miles from Blue Mounds. "We love coming here. It's very convenient to get to and it has some great campsites. I recommend going in the Fall to see some great Fall colors!" writes Elise M. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals during summer months.
Hiking to waterfalls: The Lost Canyon and Stephens Falls trails at Mirror Lake State Park provide moderate terrain hiking options. "Some members of our group took the trail to the amphitheater, but said while it was a pretty walk there wasn't anything too special along the way," notes Siobhan R. about Governor Dodge State Park's additional trail options. Most trails range from 1-3 miles in length.
Swimming in natural settings: Many campgrounds offer swimming options beyond standard pools. At Wisconsin Riverside Resort, "There is a decent sized pool that is clean and well-maintained with a smaller kiddie pool with a slide. There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms," explains Kim L.
River tubing and floating: Several campgrounds offer river access for water activities. At Crazy Horse Campground, "They provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which takes about an hour and a half," shares David H. These river adventures typically operate from May through September.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the well-designed campsites throughout the area. At Lake Kegonsa State Park, "large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting" make for a comfortable glamping experience, according to Kathy L. Most sites include standard fire rings and picnic tables.
Easy river access: Proximity to the Wisconsin River ranks high on camper preferences. "The campground is right on the river, and provides rentals for canoes, kayaks, and tubes. They will shuttle you as far up the river as you'd like to go, and you float or paddle back while enjoying all the sand bars along the way," explains Kim L. about Wisconsin Riverside Resort, a popular glamping destination near Blue Mounds.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers matter to campers. At Fox Hill RV Park, "Despite the very crowded campground, the bathrooms were immaculate. Even the Men's room was super clean. They have 3 indoor showers in each gender bathroom, and a couple of outdoor shower stalls," notes Kim L. Most parks charge $1-2 per shower.
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet owners appreciate dedicated spaces for their dogs. "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. about her Governor Dodge State Park experience.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect the glamping experience in this region. "The tent spots are further away from the action, but have easy access to another bathroom and shower. They're also close to the river, and back up to a large corn field," notes Kim L. about Wisconsin Riverside Resort. Most campgrounds operate from April through October.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same features or privacy levels. "We stayed at site #4 it was nice sized and quiet. We had full hook up, a picnic table & fire pit, our friends camped next to us in #5," reports B M. at Fox Hill RV Park. Reserve in advance for prime sites, especially on summer weekends.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife interactions. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns Jen L. about Governor Dodge State Park. Similarly, at Mirror Lake State Park, "The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism," cautions Julia B.
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or other sources. "The highway noise is loud and some military jets kept flying overhead," notes Julia B. about Mirror Lake State Park. At Lake Kegonsa, "What was NOT quiet on Thursday night was the freight train that came through around midnight and then again at 2 am," warns Lisa S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Smokey Hollow Campground offers extensive recreation options. "Man-made pond with inflatable structures, a jumpy blob for the kids to jump on & lots of other activities! We go every year!" raves Sarah S. Many family-oriented campgrounds have dedicated weekend activities scheduled from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Group site options: Family reunions or multi-family trips work well at certain campgrounds. "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!" shares Amanda J. about her experience at Governor Dodge State Park.
Water play considerations: Swimming options vary across glamping locations near Blue Mounds. At Merry Mac's Campground, "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," explains Joan about her experience at Fox Hill RV Park. Most water activities operate between 10am-7pm during summer months.
Playground access: On-site play equipment can keep kids entertained. At Lake Kegonsa State Park, visitors appreciate the "Nice play ground with horse she pits," according to Matt N. Look for glamping sites within walking distance of playgrounds to maximize convenience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation for RVs. At Lake Kegonsa State Park, "Our site was very unlevel side to side. It took two 2x6 and a 1x6 under the camp side to be level," reports Jeff G. about his experience at Fox Hill RV Park. Bring leveling blocks if your RV doesn't have automatic leveling capabilities.
Bridge and access cautions: Watch for low clearance areas when driving large rigs. "There is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend's fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there," warns Kathy L. about Lake Kegonsa State Park.
Full hookup availability: Not all sites offer complete utility connections. At Merry Mac's Campground, "We only stayed a few nights, chose a pull thru site. The staff is great, the pool is brand new! They have a huge pond with inflatables. It's located right by Devils lake. Firewood for sale, great wifi, clean bathhouses/rooms," notes Michael D. Full hookup sites typically cost $5-15 more per night than partial hookup options.
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