When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and green, with strong flow at Stephens Falls and wet trails.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and layers for ridge-top wind.
Summer
Warm and busy, with swimming and paddling on both lakes and full campgrounds.
Pack Swim gear, sun protection, and an early campground reservation.
Fall
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.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with frozen Stephens Falls and groomed cross-country options.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited seasonal services.
Top things to do
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.
Anchor the day around Stephens Falls
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.
- 1Start with Stephens Falls: The signature short hike to a spring-fed waterfall in a shaded sandstone glen, with a loop option above it.
- 2Add Cox Hollow and Twin Valley lakes: Two lakes for swimming, paddling, and fishing, each anchoring a beach and a campground.
- 3Use Lost Canyon and the multi-use trail system as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
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.
What to pack
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
Decide what Governor Dodge State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
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.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
21 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Governor Dodge
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Governor Dodge
The buying guides that match what Governor Dodge asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
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
Camping reservations
Reserve a lakeside campsite before summer weekends fill.
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.
- Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.
- Cox Hollow and Twin Valley are the two campgrounds, each near a lake and beach.
- A Wisconsin vehicle admission pass is required to enter, separate from the camping fee.
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
Cox Hollow campground
Details- Booking
- Same day to 11 months ahead through the Wisconsin reservation system.
- Season
- Primarily a spring-through-fall campground.
- Sites
- Electric and non-electric family sites near Cox Hollow Lake.
- Best first check for campers who want quick beach and paddling access.
Twin Valley campground
Details- Booking
- Same day to 11 months ahead through the Wisconsin reservation system.
- Season
- Primarily a spring-through-fall campground.
- Sites
- Electric and non-electric family sites near Twin Valley Lake.
- A good second option near the larger of the two lakes and the Stephens Falls area.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Governor Dodge State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Wisconsin
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.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Wisconsin relaunched a state film office (Film Wisconsin) in 2026 for incentives, not permits; the DNR's $50 per-property Commercial Use Permit is what photographers actually encounter in state parks.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to camp at Governor Dodge State Park?
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.
What is the main hike at Governor Dodge State Park?
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.
Can you swim at Governor Dodge State Park?
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.