Best Equestrian Camping near Prairie du Sac, WI

Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian Campground offers the primary horse-specific camping option near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The equestrian campground features designated sites for campers with horses, providing essential amenities while maintaining a natural setting. Sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, with convenient access to the park's extensive trail system. The campground remains clean and peaceful throughout the seasons, with winter camping available for those seeking off-season equestrian adventures. The bathrooms and shower facilities are kept clean and well-maintained despite seasonal fluctuations in staffing levels. Firewood is available for purchase at $7 per bundle, with proceeds supporting park maintenance and conservation efforts.

The park provides access to multiple trail networks suitable for horseback riding, with paths connecting to various scenic points throughout the 5,000-acre property. Riders can explore wooded terrain, open meadows, and valleys while enjoying the natural beauty of the driftless area. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some restrictions during wet weather to preserve trail integrity. When planning a visit, equestrians should note that reservations are recommended, particularly during peak summer and fall seasons when the campground fills quickly. The park requires a state park vehicle admission sticker in addition to camping fees, which can be purchased at the entrance station. Horse owners should bring feed and water containers as these are not provided at individual sites, though drinking water access points are available throughout the campground.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin (9)

    1. Merry Mac's Campground

    6 Reviews
    Merrimac, WI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 493-2367

    $35 / night

    "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!"

    2. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    28 Reviews
    Dodgeville, WI
    27 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."

    "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,"

    3. Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

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

    "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."

    "Great park in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. Not far from the house on the rock and Taliesin. Great open hiking trail. Well laid out sites with lots of space."

    4. White Mound County Campground

    3 Reviews
    Loganville, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 355-4800

    "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."

    5. Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stoughton, WI
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 873-9695

    "Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits."

    "Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."

    6. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

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

    "Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range."

    "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."

    7. Sleepy Dragon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Poynette, WI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 992-5157

    "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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Prairie du Sac, WI

1 Photos of 9 Prairie du Sac Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Prairie du Sac, WI

118 Reviews of 9 Prairie du Sac Campgrounds


  • Ted W.
    Aug. 21, 2019

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    One of our favorites

    We spend quite a bit of time here. We hunt here and camp here year round. Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range. Hunt anything from pheasent to deer. There is also a nice bar and grill just down the street. Along with dairy bar as part of the park. Showers and bathrooms are always clean.

  • Meg  S.
    Aug. 1, 2015

    Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Great Campground in Wisconsin

    Great state park for a family camping vacation, tons of stuff to do. 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. They even have horse sites, so you can bring your horse, and stroll through the park horseback riding. Vault toilets, and regular toilets with ok showers. Water faucets scattered around for easy water access. Twin Valley has tent sites and RV/electric sites.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Loud, party vibe

    The campsites here are deep with lots of greenery. However we chose this site thinking that it was on the end. The loops curl around so there were campers around us. On the other side was a playground that had children enjoying it all day. While this is great for some, our reactive dog was quite distracted.

    Upon arriving at the check in, there is still a couple miles to wind around until the campground, longer to get to twin lakes campground. The road is hilly too. It’s not a problem in our vehicle but it would be tiring on a bicycle. There are showers in the center of our loop. It could be expanded a bit - we had short lines for the restrooms. Water , garbage and recycling are available as well as a dump station.

    It was raining when we arrived but we drove around to see the park. We hiked the short distance to Stephen’s Falls and was not impressed. Maybe they need more rain this year but all we saw was a splatter.

    We saw folks who kept their kayaks and canoes locked up by the lake. The beach looked nice too. The other end of the park has an equestrian campground. We did see some horses riding the trail around the park.

    The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear. Trails from camp would be great. We ended up walking along the narrow road.

  • P
    Jun. 7, 2018

    Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Great campground for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes

    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. Lots of activities in the area and close to shopping in the town of Dodgeville.

  • Josh F.
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Two lakes, two campgrounds and some nice walk-in sites!

    I stayed at this campground when I was a kid and only recently revisited it. The state park has two very large lakes with nice pan fishing and modest but well-groomed (daily?) swimming beaches. The lakes are a definite drive from the campgrounds, however, which makes it hard for "the kids" to simply amble down for a swim. This is important, in Sept. 2020 (COVID-19 times) 1/3 of the parking lot was closed off. Not sure why, but I speculate this is to regulate the number of beach dwellers and swimmers. Regardless, it's a very large and lovely park. Here's my review of the campsites.

    I am a car camper with no interest in (E) electric sites, so I did not pay attention nor note good ones. I prefer the silence and relative darkness that non-E sites provide.

    Campsite - Cox Hollow

    45/47 would be a nice couple of sites for a family/friends (wouldn't want this if you only needed one of them!)

    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, 27 and 29 are all large, near the bluff

    34 is interesting, it's divided into three "terraces" Kind of fun, like a campsite divided into rooms

    44 right next to the water, BIG site, right near the bathroom and playground. This would be great if you have kids.

    The second campground is Twin Valley - though it is NO WHERE NEAR the Twin Valley lake. Lots of driving to get to the lake from here.

    221 is large with nice surrounding trees

    285 is really big

    This campground has walk in sites - these are sites with car parking on the road and you have to walk a minute or two to get to the site. Downside? Carrying all your gear and firewood. Upside? You can genuinely pretend that you've got the place to yourself, can't see a tent or an RV from any of these sites.

    262 is 40 steps in, right on the edge of the valley with it's own personal bluff.

    263 is a longer walk of 75 steps, a little less shaded than others, but PRIVATE

    264 is about 45 steps off the parking lot, right against the bluff edge.

    269 is 50 steps in, but it's just off the path, not as nice as others

    270 is a long 120 steps walking past 269, this is the site for you if you're looking for seclusion

    271 is 110 steps in, flat, really secluded

  • c
    Nov. 28, 2021

    Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Big Beautiful park has it all!

    We love camping at Governor Dodge state park. The campsites are big and fairly private some areas are better for groups of families camping together with play grounds and nice clean bathrooms with showers. If you camp at Twin Valley You will have to drive to the beach. We like the Cox Hollow beach the best ..so if you want to walk to beach camp there. There are lots of beautiful hiking trails including one that passes an old farm homestead complete with the old spring house and a waterfall. You can also rent horses and rid them in the park…the rental place is just outside the park. They have groomed cross country trails and mountain biking trails as well. You won’t be disappointed if you visit this park!

    V

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    Nice alternative to Gov. Dodge or Devil's Lake (No rocks or vews though)

     This is a very large state park located halfway between Mineral Point and New Glarus, both nice visiting destinations in their own right.
    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. There's also a boat rental place run by the nearby Cork Down Saloon. There are no boat-in or lake accessible campsites however.
     The campground is up a long 30 degree hill across from the main launch and Beach/ main picnic area. The sites are more secluded from each other than you'll find at most parks , which is very nice. Beware that some sites are so secluded that they are bi-level. That is, parking pad and then step(s) down to the site. Be sure to check the photos provided when reserving.  There are very nice walk-in sites, but no carts are provided.
    the facilities are clean, but there's only one building with running water and showers. Water throughout has a mild iron taste.
    There's no playground in the camp area, it's located in a picnic area near the canoe launch that you pass as you com in. Not walking distance, remember the big hill.
     There's an Ice Cream/concession at the east end of the lake with limited hours. Beyond that is the Cork Down Saloon, just outside the secondary entrance to the park. It's your closest option to eat out. Also there is the private Chalet campground (see others for a review) Neither has a view of the lake as they are below the Dam.
    A fun place to visit in the area is the Toy Train Barn Museum in Argyle, indoors if you have a rainy day.

  • Matt N.
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Fun state park

    A nice state park. Clean bathrooms with showers. Good sized site with nice privacy. Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits.

  • Brian H.
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Disappointed

    The Pros: campsites were spread out and did have nice natural separation. Lot of big biting horse flies, but hey, we are in the woods next to a lake…

    Cons: vault toilets cleaned but not maintained. Saw 2 (including ours) with non functioning lighting. Hand sanitizers where empty the whole stay. Shower house was older and not cleaned. No ventilation. And sealed windows made it a dank steam room.

    Beach was closed due to excessive algae. Wish they mentioned that on their website.

    Was a little confusing finding the campground when we first arrived.


Guide to Prairie du Sac

Horse camping in Wisconsin offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities for horse lovers

Activities for horse campers in Wisconsin

Tips for equestrian camping near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Prairie du Sac, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Prairie du Sac, 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 Prairie du Sac, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Prairie du Sac, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.