Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian Campground serves riders with separate facilities from standard campsites, creating a more horse-friendly atmosphere. Located in the Driftless Region of southwestern Wisconsin, the equestrian camping area offers direct trail access to the park's extensive network of bridle paths. Winter camping options remain available in the equestrian section while other areas close for the season.
What to do
Hiking at multiple skill levels: At Wildcat Mountain State Park, visitors can experience varied terrain about 40 miles northeast of Richland Center. "The Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk. The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," notes Steph from a July 2023 visit.
Swimming options for families: Twin Valley Campground at Governor Dodge offers water recreation during summer months. "Perfect for a family get away - showers, flush toilets, lots of hiking (but trails aren't very challenging), swimming area and boat launch, playground," reports Jen L., who appreciates the family-friendly amenities.
Fishing access points: White Mound County Campground provides fishing opportunities on its spring-fed lake. "The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it's a bit cold for swimming," explains Jaime L., who has visited multiple times.
Trout fishing streams: Big Paint Campground in nearby Yellow River State Forest offers stocked trout streams. "Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen," notes Mary S., who hiked despite August humidity and mosquitoes.
What campers like
Secluded walk-in sites: Twin Valley Campground features hike-in camping options for those seeking more privacy. "Site 271 was just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff," shares Mary M., who appreciated the hammock-hanging options.
Diverse terrain for exploration: Wyalusing State Park offers unique geographical features. "There's some really nice trails and cool rock formations, couple this with the playground and nice bathrooms it makes for an ideal campground for families with younger children," explains Connor M., who visited with his 5-year-old son.
Clean facilities: Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground maintains well-kept shower facilities. "The shower house was close and clean," notes Kay K., who stayed in the Cottontail lane area. The campground's attention to cleanliness extends to other facilities as well.
Winter camping availability: Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian Campground offers off-season options. "It was very pretty with and without snow. Lots of wood to burn. Nice and quite," reports Jill K. about her winter camping experience, making this area one of the few year-round equestrian camping options near Richland Center.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Camping during shoulder seasons requires preparation for changing conditions. At Wyalusing State Park Campground, the weather can be challenging: "It was a Colder night as we camped in 30 degree weather and freezing rain came into our campground. This along with the wind made our situation feel pretty cold," reports Connor M.
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly after dark. At Twin Valley, "raccoons here and 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," warns Sarah R., emphasizing the importance of securing food.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer and fall. For Governor Dodge State Park, "Peak season reservations are a definite (weeks to months in advance for weekends)," advises Jen L., who recommends planning well ahead.
Limited amenities at some sites: Big Paint Campground offers primitive camping with basic facilities. "Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet," explains Mary S., noting the $9 fee reflects these basic amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer dedicated play areas for children. At Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, "What really makes this campground is the lake. There's a nice beach for kids and adults to relax at and lots of kayaks on the water," shares Ryan K.
Dog-friendly beaches: Some parks feature dedicated pet swimming areas. "My boyfriend and I brought our two dogs here to camp. They had a dog beach for them to swim in which was a huge plus!" reports Sarah B. about Governor Dodge State Park.
Group site options: For larger family gatherings, designated areas provide more space. "Stayed here last year with a group of friends! Had 2 different group sites and both were awesome! A lot of space and not close to other group sites," Amanda J. shares about Governor Dodge State Park.
Educational programming: Several parks offer nature-focused activities for children. "The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time," mentions Jennifer B. about her 2018 visit to Wyalusing State Park, making it an educational option for horse camping families near Richland Center.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the driftless region have uneven terrain. At Yellowstone Lake State Park, "Bathrooms were good and bathrooms were clean enough. What really makes this campground is the lake," reports Ryan K. who camped there in May 2024.
Electric hookup locations: Merry Mac's Campground offers full-service sites within driving distance of Richland Center. "We only stayed a few nights, chose a pull thru site. The staff is great, the pool is brand new!" shares Michael D., noting the campground's amenities.
Big rig considerations: Some parks have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Governor Dodge State Park, Paul C. advises it's a "Great campground for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes," suggesting horse owners with large trailers check site specifications before booking.
Road access challenges: Steep or narrow roads can pose difficulties. At Wildcat Mountain State Park, Joyce B. cautions, "We drove a truck so getting up/down the mountain wasn't a problem, but if you have a low car, the front end is going to get scraped at the bottom of the mountain."
Ranger
