State Park · Wisconsin
Wisconsin's Driftless-country park: two lakes, Stephens Falls, bluff and prairie trails, 40-plus miles of multi-use trail, and two large campgrounds.
Field briefing
Governor Dodge State Park changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
The moves are to reserve a Cox Hollow or Twin Valley campsite early for summer, hike to Stephens Falls, and split your time between the lakes and the 40-plus miles of multi-use trail. A Wisconsin vehicle admission pass is required to enter.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Cool and green, with strong flow at Stephens Falls and wet trails.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and layers for ridge-top wind.
Warm and busy, with swimming and paddling on both lakes and full campgrounds.
Pack Swim gear, sun protection, and an early campground reservation.
Cooler hiking weather and strong Driftless color, best in early-to-mid October.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and a weekend booking plan.
Cold and quiet, with frozen Stephens Falls and groomed cross-country options.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited seasonal services.
Stephens Falls
The signature short hike to a spring-fed waterfall in a shaded sandstone glen, with a loop option above it.
Cox Hollow and Twin Valley lakes
Two lakes for swimming, paddling, and fishing, each anchoring a beach and a campground.
Lost Canyon and the multi-use trail system
More than 40 miles of trail for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through Driftless bluffs and prairie.
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Governor Dodge State Park, make Stephens Falls the non-negotiable, add Cox Hollow and Twin Valley lakes only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Lost Canyon and the multi-use trail system as the flexible finish.
Turn Governor Dodge's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Governor Dodge State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Governor Dodge State Park packing list
0 of 21 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
21 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Governor Dodge asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Camp inside the park at one of the two large campgrounds: Cox Hollow and Twin Valley each sit near a lake and a beach, and both fill on summer weekends. There are no cabins or a lodge, so this is a tent-and-RV park. Dodgeville is the nearest town for food, fuel, and overflow lodging, with the broader Spring Green and Mineral Point area close by.
Camping reservations
Governor Dodge has two large campgrounds, Cox Hollow and Twin Valley, each near a lake, and both should be booked early for summer and fall-color weekends.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Wisconsin state park camping reservations are required and can be made same day or up to 11 months before the planned occupancy date.
Where to book or verify
Use the Wisconsin State Park System reservation portal, or call 1-888-947-2757.
Official DNR page with campground maps, trail maps, and current conditions.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Arrival note
Governor Dodge sits north of Dodgeville in the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin, about an hour west of Madison.
Car strategy
A car is the practical way to reach the two lakes, the Stephens Falls trailhead, and the spread-out campgrounds.
Car strategy
Roads between the lakes and trailheads are paved but rolling, so allow a little extra time inside the park.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Yes. Wisconsin requires a camping reservation before you set up, and Governor Dodge's Cox Hollow and Twin Valley campgrounds fill on summer and fall weekends. Reservations can be made same day or up to 11 months ahead.
The short hike to Stephens Falls is the signature walk, leading to a spring-fed waterfall in a shaded glen with a loop option above it. Beyond that, the park has more than 40 miles of multi-use trail through Driftless bluffs and prairie.
Yes. Both Cox Hollow Lake and Twin Valley Lake have swimming beaches, and the lakes are also popular for paddling and fishing in the warm months.