Governor Dodge State Park provides 25 miles of equestrian trails with camping facilities specifically for horse owners. Located in the driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, the park's equestrian campground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,150 feet above sea level. Trail options connect riders to various terrain types including wooded valleys, prairies, and lakeshores within the 5,000-acre park boundaries.
What to do
Kayaking the Kickapoo River: Wildcat Mountain State Park serves as an excellent base for exploring "the crookedest river in the world." One visitor noted, "Great location for kayaking and hiking. Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours" while enjoying the scenic waterway.
Waterfall hiking: Cox Hollow Campground at Governor Dodge State Park offers multiple waterfall trails. "The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip- even in the rain! Once you continue down to the falls they have another informational plaque about the falls with old pictures," according to one visitor who explored despite rainy conditions.
Ice cave exploration: During winter months, the temperature drops enough to form spectacular ice formations. "Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk. The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," reports a camper who visited Wildcat Mountain State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Twin Valley Campground provides well-spaced camping areas. A visitor noted, "The sites are deep, so you could pull in and nestle in the trees, even if you had a neighbor, and it was more private. There was a nice picnic table near the fire ring, which was quite nice for a fire."
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural location away from city lights creates optimal conditions for astronomy. "The sites were spacious and the stars at night is amazing," shared a camper who stayed at Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.
Natural swimming areas: Merry Mac's Campground offers unique water recreation options. One visitor commented, "They have a huge pond with inflatables. The swimming Pond was clean and plenty of fun things to climb on and slide down."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report bold raccoons that require proper food storage. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are 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," warned one camper at Twin Valley Campground.
Water temperature: Spring-fed lakes and ponds can remain chilly even in summer. A visitor to White Mound County Campground commented, "The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it's a bit cold for swimming."
Site selection considerations: Not all sites are level, which affects tent and RV camping. "We stayed at a hike in site in May and had great hanging options for our hammocks, excellent privacy in the hike-in sites, and beautiful options for hiking, fishing, and photography," noted one visitor describing the terrain at Governor Dodge State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options for children: White Mound County Campground provides family-friendly facilities. "There were bathrooms and a small playground. The lake is gorgeous and clean," mentioned a visitor who enjoyed the amenities with family members.
Weekend entertainment: Some campgrounds schedule regular activities. A camper at Merry Mac's noted, "Lots of planned activities on weekends. We stayed during water wars and the kids had a blast!!"
Accommodation variety: Options beyond tent sites are available. "My family and I love the yurts and the giant pool/pond. The park model rentals are nice now that my grandma is getting older," shared a visitor who appreciated the range of sleeping arrangements.
Tips from RVers
Campsite access considerations: Vehicle clearance matters when navigating campground roads. One visitor to Sleepy Dragon Campground mentioned, "It opens up into a cute little camp ground with a pretty little pond" after initially passing through a less maintained entrance area.
Electric hookup distribution: Power options vary between campgrounds. At Governor Dodge State Park, "Electric sites (designated with an 'E' beside the number) were scattered with non electric sites. Electrics were more plentiful, though."
Dump station availability: Sanitary facilities for RVs are limited. A camper noted that while Twin Valley Campground has a dump station, not all nearby campgrounds offer this service, so planning ahead is necessary for longer stays.
Ranger
