Governor Dodge State Park offers 25 miles of designated horse trails through 5,000+ acres of wooded terrain. Located 35 miles west of Dane, Wisconsin, the park sits in the driftless area—a unique region untouched by glaciers. Equestrian camping is permitted from May through October, with 11 campsites specifically designed for horses and riders.
What to do
Explore waterways and beaches: Lake Kegonsa State Park provides multiple water-based activities during warmer months. "Beautiful sites super quiet," notes Heather H., while Hubert M. adds, "My site was right next to camp hosts, and very near showers which were clean and lots of hot water."
Hiking varied terrain: Several parks offer trails suitable for all skill levels. The steep staircase at Yellowstone Lake State Park leads to unique views. According to Doug, "Did about 10mi of hiking. Buggy, but it's June in WI." Tate T. mentions, "We rented a 12 person pontoon from Cork Down Saloon Boat Rentals and that was great!"
Mini golf and river recreation: Harnischfeger County Park offers unusual amenities for a campground. Taylor C. states, "The campground has alot of great amenities. Theirs a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with." Brittany R. adds, "Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: The region offers multiple campgrounds with secluded spaces. At Twin Valley Campground, Michael S. found that "Walk in spot about 200 feet from where you can park the car. It is very secluded and tree cover allows you to be hidden from all others." Mary M. notes, "The site I picked had lots of great options for hammock hanging!"
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. Fred S. reports at Twin Valley, "Shower house/restroom was warm & clean," while Scott G. appreciates "Well laid out sites with lots of space."
Equestrian amenities: Beyond Governor Dodge State Park, additional equestrian camping options exist. White Mound County Campground provides equestrian trails and camping, though Amy G. notes it was "closed because of mud" during her visit. The campground offers excellent value with "fees incredibly reasonable for such a nice campground."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife, particularly at night. At Cox Hollow Campground, Jen L. warns, "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" Sarah R. confirms this issue at Twin Valley: "The raccoons here are insanely bold, we had one frequently visit our site and get VERY close to us and in the evening ended up ripping thru the roof of our tent."
Self-check procedures: Many parks have self-registration systems for after-hours arrival. Amy G. found at White Mound that "check in/self pay process was very simple and straight forward" with "one of the best maps I've ever seen!"
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects trail conditions significantly. As Brian O. points out regarding Twin Valley, "It's best to get reservations early." Kathy L. notes at Lake Kegonsa to watch for "mosquitos" during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several parks offer play areas for children. Jeremy S. mentions that Cox Hollow has "lots of brave raccoons but nothing to worry about if you prepare well before bed."
Water features for kids: Merry Mac's Campground provides exceptional water recreation. David H. says, "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."
Child-friendly activities: Many campgrounds organize events for young campers. Tracy C. reports Merry Mac's has "Lots of planned activities on weekends. We stayed during water wars and the kids had a blast!"
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: The hilly terrain can create challenges for larger vehicles. Jeanne M. advises at Yellowstone Lake State Park, "If camping with a trailer or RV check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level."
Bridge clearance concerns: Watch for low structures when driving larger rigs. Kathy L. warns about Lake Kegonsa: "Major CAUTION for RVs: 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."
Electric site availability: Reserve early for powered sites. Brian O. notes that at Twin Valley, "Lower being better for larger RVs while upper has more shaded, cozier sites better for smaller rigs and tents."
Traveler
