Best Campgrounds near Dodgeville, WI

Campgrounds near Dodgeville, Wisconsin include established sites in Governor Dodge State Park, where both Cox Hollow and Twin Valley campgrounds offer tent, RV, and walk-in camping options. The area features several park-managed properties within a 20-mile radius, including Blue Mound State Park Campground and Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, providing a mix of electric and non-electric sites. Private options like Tom's Campground and Wisconsin Riverside Resort complement the public facilities with additional amenities including cabin rentals and glamping accommodations, creating a diverse range of camping experiences in this scenic region of southwestern Wisconsin.

Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with most state park facilities available from April through October or November, though some locations offer year-round access. "The park is beautiful, the campsites are very nice. There's lots to do including swimming and kayaking on the lake," noted one visitor about Governor Dodge State Park. The terrain consists primarily of wooded bluffs and lakeshores with varying levels of accessibility—some sites offer drive-up convenience while others require short walks to more secluded locations. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays, when sites frequently reach capacity. Weather conditions can change rapidly in spring and fall, with occasional heavy rainfall affecting trail conditions and campsite drainage in low-lying areas.

Campers frequently highlight the hiking opportunities as a standout feature of the Dodgeville area, particularly at Governor Dodge State Park. The park's extensive trail network connects to waterfalls, bluffs, and two recreational lakes with swimming beaches and boat rentals. Walk-in sites receive especially positive reviews for their privacy and natural setting. One experienced camper shared that "sites 262, 263, and 264 are 40-75 steps from parking, right on the edge of the valley with personal bluff access." Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons frequently mentioned in reviews as bold visitors to campgrounds. Families appreciate the mix of amenities like playgrounds, fishing opportunities, and clean bathroom facilities, though some reviewers note that popular campgrounds can be quite noisy during peak summer weekends, especially at developed sites with electrical hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Dodgeville, Wisconsin (118)

    1. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    28 Reviews
    Dodgeville, WI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 935-2315

    "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."

    "We love to go kayaking here, the lakes are lovely. There are also lots of trails to explore. It can get busy, especially during the summer holidays."

    2. Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    20 Reviews
    Dodgeville, WI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 935-2315

    "The flush toilets and showers were conveniently located a few sites down the road. We would choose this site again, and also found a handful of others for our “nice sites” list!"

    "Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade."

    3. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Blanchardville, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 523-4427

    "It has a large lake with three boat launches, a main one with a motor ramp, a canoe launch near the marshy end, and a fishing pier."

    "The hiking is amazing , particularly the Oakgrove trail, plenty to see with beautiful views. There is boating, canoeing, etc."

    4. Blue Mound State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Blue Mounds, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 947-2757

    $18 / night

    "Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."

    "Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."

    5. Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites — Governor Dodge State Park

    4 Reviews
    Dodgeville, WI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 935-2315

    "Lots of access to pit toilets and water fountains from primary camping sites!"

    "Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family"

    6. Toms Campground

    3 Reviews
    Ridgeway, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 935-5446

    "We needed a place after visiting the House on the Rock and couldn't find anything with hookups nearby. We stumbled upon Tom's Campground hoping to find a site."

    7. Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area

    4 Reviews
    Highland, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 623-2707

    "The campground was higher up on the hill, it took a 5 minutes to hike down to the lake with lots of steep steps. Nice beach area. I spent two nights here with an RV. I had electric hookup."

    8. Brigham Park

    10 Reviews
    Blue Mounds, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 224-3730

    "It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."

    "The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.

    - Well-kept vault toilets.

    - Close to a many points of interest."

    10. Wisconsin Riverside Resort

    5 Reviews
    Spring Green, WI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 588-2826

    $32 - $170 / night

    "There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms."

    "I’m a tent camper so tucked in the back was great. It’s a bit of a normal RV easy camping almost glamping with the amenities around."

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Recent Reviews near Dodgeville, WI

833 Reviews of 118 Dodgeville Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Wonewoc Legion Park

    One Of Our Favorite Stops

    We were lucky enough to have this beautiful little gem all to ourselves. The campground is super quiet, clean and very well maintained. It’s located about 40 minutes away from the Wisconsin Dells and has easy access to the 400 State bike trail. We took the Dells boat tour and enjoyed biking through the beautiful surrounding countryside and sampling the delicious goods at Wonewoc’s farmer’s market. Everywhere we went, people were so kind and helpful. We look forward to stopping in again.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Spruce Creek Park

    Great place to camp

    One of my favorites. Right on the water. Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    way overpriced and not worth it

    cost at end of september, sunday night was $76/night PLUS $16 parking fee so $92 for a night at a mediocre campground with no privacy. i rarely write negative reviews, but ive been camping for a while now, and never experienced this high of a cost for just a regular campground.

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Creek Valley Campground

    Trip to Mackinac

    A little cramped, nice people. We didn't use the pool but it had adults only after dark. Our site backed up to the forest, there's a short trail thru the trees. Most sites have FHU, most are back-in. We had one of the sites with only water and electric. There is a dump station, small concession, playground. A small creek runs around much of the outside of the property.

  • Julia B.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Sandstone Ridge Campground — Mirror Lake State Park

    Beautiful lake

    The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs. We only did 2 hiking trails but they were well maintained. The site was good. The 202 area has a parking lot for 4 sites and a very short walk to the sites. Fire pit and picnic table were in good shape. The highway noise is loud and some military jets kept flying overhead. The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism. Overall good site but a little noisy.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Wisconsin Riverside Resort

    THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL!!

    This campground was fabulous! Great pool, restaurant, live music, and Pickle Ball! Well kept facility. It has a security gate, which I really appreciated.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Pros, cons, and Caution!

    PROS: large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting. Very nice hiking trails right from campground. Lake & pet swim area.

    CONS: no water, mosquitos. And… 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. Major damage on roof and internally - the RV had to be totaled and replaced. Terrible signage in park does not indicate height of bridge or warn about the oak tree. Our friends reported that the camp host said the park knows about these hazards but hasn’t taken care of them so she will “remind them” for their task list in November.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Spring on our site

    There was a spring on our site! We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site. The toilets were clean. The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus.


Guide to Dodgeville

Dodgeville, Wisconsin harbors a mixture of state park campgrounds and private camping areas across the driftless region landscape. Governor Dodge State Park stands as the centerpiece with its Twin Valley and Cox Hollow Campgrounds, featuring tent sites, RV spaces, and walk-in camping options. Nearby, visitors will find Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area and Blue Mound State Park Campground which also accommodate tent and RV campers. Private operations like Tom's Campground and Wisconsin Riverside Resort expand lodging options with cabin rentals and glamping facilities alongside traditional campsites. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer electric hookups, drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables while maintaining wooded settings.

The camping season in the Dodgeville area generally runs from April through October, with some facilities extending into November. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. One camper noted, "October and November have less people, no bugs, and beautiful fall foliage, plus a fire feels good that time of year." Most campgrounds provide showers and flush toilets, though facilities vary by location. Campgrounds with lake access such as Governor Dodge State Park offer swimming beaches, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities. Cell service is generally available throughout the region, though signal strength may vary in more remote areas or deep valleys characteristic of the driftless region's topography.

Many visitors praise Governor Dodge State Park for its extensive trail network and scenic features. A review mentioned, "There are so many hiking trails that all have different views—cliffs, bluffs, caves, waterfalls, old architecture that displays the great history of the area." Several campgrounds offer waterfront options, with sites near Cox Hollow Lake being particularly sought after. Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters, particularly with raccoons that have grown accustomed to campers. Family groups appreciate the playground facilities and swimming areas, while those seeking more solitude gravitate toward walk-in sites which offer greater privacy. The park's two lakes provide no-wake boating options suitable for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, with rental equipment available during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Governor Dodge State Park?

Governor Dodge State Park itself offers excellent camping options. Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park is highly rated by visitors who appreciate its spacious sites and natural setting. It can be challenging to back into some sites, but the campground provides a peaceful atmosphere. For group camping experiences, Hickory Ridge Group Camp — Governor Dodge State Park offers facilities for larger gatherings. Outside the park, Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area near Highland provides an alternative with lakeside camping opportunities. These campgrounds serve as excellent baselines for exploring the beautiful terrain and recreational opportunities throughout the Dodgeville region.

Are there year-round camping options available in Dodgeville, WI?

Most campgrounds in the Dodgeville area operate seasonally, typically from April/May through October. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park closes during winter months but offers extended season camping in early spring and late fall, weather permitting. For winter camping options, consider Toms Campground near Dodgeville, which provides year-round accommodation for those equipped for cold-weather camping. Before planning a winter camping trip, check with the specific campground for current availability, as facilities may be limited and water systems winterized. Some privately owned campgrounds in the region may offer cabins or heated accommodations for winter visitors.

What amenities do campgrounds in the Dodgeville area offer?

Campgrounds around Dodgeville provide a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. New Glarus State Park Campground offers drive-in sites with nice amenities, while their walk-in sites provide more solitude. For water recreation enthusiasts, Wyalusing State Park Campground features boat access to rivers, hiking trails connected to campgrounds, showers, and flush toilets. Many area campgrounds include swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Private campgrounds like Fox Hill RV Park & Campground offer additional amenities such as swimming pools, ponds, and services like firewood and ice delivery. Most public campgrounds provide basic facilities including water access, toilets, and reservable sites, with varying levels of electrical hookups depending on the specific campground.