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Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian Campground offers direct access to over 25 miles of designated horse trails through the driftless region of Wisconsin. Located 30 minutes from Lake Delton, this horse campground features hitching posts at each site, ample trailer parking, and proximity to water sources for horses. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites specifically designed for horse owners. Trails are well-maintained with clear markings and varying difficulty levels suitable for different riding abilities. The equestrian sites remain separated from regular camping areas, providing a quieter experience for riders and their horses. Raccoons can be bold in the area, so proper food storage is essential when camping with horses.
The extensive trail system connects riders to scenic overlooks, wooded valleys, and two lakes within the 5,000-acre park. Horse owners can access multiple loop options ranging from 2-10 miles, with trails that wind through diverse terrain including prairie, forest, and along waterways. Water crossings are available on several trails, though some become muddy after rainfall. Riders frequently encounter wildlife including deer and various bird species. The park maintains manure disposal areas near the equestrian sites, and campers must bring their own feed and water buckets. Sites can accommodate multiple horses with enough space for portable corrals. The campground typically operates from April through October, with peak horse camping season in late summer when trails are driest and most accessible.
"It’s located right by Devils lake. Firewood for sale, great wifi, clean bathhouses/rooms"
"Lake full of all kinds of floats the kids can climb and jump on. Clean pool to cool off in. Sand volleyball, ga ga ball, huge park. Has so many different accomadtions to choose from!"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Behind the office was a large pond with a sand beach, lots of blow up pool toys, a bar, and volleyball, plus there are trikes and bikes available after you play mini-golf."
"For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!"
"Most of the time, the pay envelopes are outside and you have to duck into your car, fill it out, and dart back into the dark to the drop box."
"The campsites are tucked away and private. There are bathrooms and a small playground. The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it’s a bit cold for swimming."
"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."
"The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not."
"Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites. "
from $18 - $110 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Site 271 was just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"As this place didn’t have much for reviews I wasn’t sure what to think but it’s a great location with good service."
"In 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds."
from $50 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $38 / night
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TravelerCampground is nice spacious and we’re well divided. The drive from the entrance of Governor Dodge to cox hollow was a good 2-3 miles but was very scenic.
TravelerVery nice grounds with gorgeous tree covered sites, electric hookup on most of them. They have toilet facilities on each end of the grounds. They have shower facilities with potable water fill station next to the showers and water fountains in several locations. For those with kids they have a very nice playground area.
TravelerNot a place for camping. We booked 2 nights site red 12. Streets were very narrow getting to site. The site was literally a dirt island. We had to drive over a curb. The site was so small. There were campers everywhere. We ended up leaving right away and booked a different campground
ScoutFirst of all I have never paid so much for a state campground. By the time they were done tacking on fees it $72 a night, $15 extra for being out of state. There is only one dump station for over 320 sites. There was no water available in the campground, they were all torn up. Fortunately, the weather was fairly cool so we didn't need to run our air. Every time we tried to run more than 2 things at a time it tripped the 30 amp breaker. Very dissapointed for the price paid.
RangerTraveling along the road from Ontario to Wildcat gave a little Appalachia feel. The park is situated above the Kickapoo River valley and is a great base for trout fishing.
If you are in the driftless region looking for camping, this is the spot.
RangerI camped here in late spring and the park wasn’t too busy. Allot of elevation in the park and great lookout spots. Some gated up caves on the north end of the bluff. Great sunsets and sunrises!
ScoutI love Smokey Hollow Campground! The scenery is stunning, and the friendly staff really make a difference. For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!
TravelerIn 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds. I was getting worried that it was not possible for me to find a site. I remembered ( light bulb moment) that Sleepy Dragon Campground may have openings. I called and was shocked to hear they still had openings for that weekend. Drove to the campground and set my sights on a pull through site. I enjoyed it so much decided to stay permanently. My original site was 120, then moved to 114, it’s a corner site. Has shade and sun at different times of the day. Large to medium camp sites, grassy, concreted if that’s what you like, plus electric and water at each site. Sewer at selected sites. Personally I came here as a child, back in the later 60’s to early 70’s. Changed owners a couple of times, now it is veteran owned, upgrades are being completed as time allows.
LegendWe hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies! The site was of good size, dark and quiet. The shower house was close and clean.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Delton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Delton, WI is Merry Mac's Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lake Delton, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Lake Delton, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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