Wisconsin State Parks are incredibly fun places to explore, and they each offer a delightful piece of Wisconsin’s unique beauty. It’s hard to choose a favorite park, but Governor Dodge State Park ranks pretty high on our list of favorites. Governor Dodge State Park is located just outside the town of Dodgeville in the beautiful South Central region of Wisconsin.
Aside from spending a day hiking, chasing waterfalls, biking, and paddling on the lake at Governor Dodge State Park, there are plenty more ways to enjoy a getaway to our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts in this part of the state. You’ll find top attractions like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, The American Players Theater, and House on the Rock near the town of Spring Green, or get out for more outdoor adventure on the Lower Wisconsin River.
Wherever you end up this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and explore this unique state. More than 14 million visitors find their way to at least one of our 47 amazing Wisconsin State Parks. Near these fantastic destinations, you’ll find one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, many of which are rated among the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Will you be one of the many visiting our parks this summer? Book your adventure at our South Central Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts today.
Visit Governor Dodge State Park This Summer
Governor Dodge State Park is one of the largest Wisconsin State Parks. With more than 5,000 acres of steep hills and bluffs, plus two waterfalls and beautiful lakes, you can expect plenty of fun in the great outdoors. Governor Dodge State Park is situated in the state’s Driftless Area, which refers to land left untouched after the last major glacial retreat in Wisconsin. What resulted was the hilly terrain with dramatic bluffs and deep valleys – terrain you don’t typically find in the otherwise flat Midwest!
Once you’re there, what you do in Governor Dodge State Park is up to you! There are plenty of options. Water features are one of the more popular reasons to visit Governor Dodge State Park. There are two waterfalls within the park, and there are swimming beaches on both lakes. There are also boat launches at both lakes, which means you can get out on the water for paddling or fishing.
If you’d rather stay dry, there are many other things to do at Governor Dodge State Park. The park offers 8 miles of trails suitable for mountain biking, and two of them are designated for mountain biking only! You can also access the Military Ridge State Trail from here, which offers 40 miles of flat and scenic riding. If hiking is more your speed, there are plenty of trails here for that, too! There are more than 40 miles of hiking trails in the area, including those that lead to the waterfalls. Horseback riders can also use some of these trails.
Like all Wisconsin State Parks, a vehicle sticker is required for admission. You can buy a yearly pass if you plan on visiting multiple Wisconsin State Parks this year for $28, or you can purchase a day-use pass for $8.
9 More Great Wisconsin State Parks to Visit
Governor Dodge State Park is one of the many excellent Wisconsin State Parks worth visiting this summer. Wisconsin’s State Parks offer plenty of beautiful diversity, including lush forests, winding rivers, and beautiful freshwater lakes. They are more than beautiful, though. Wisconsin State Parks also serve as an excellent place for outdoor recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and more.
Let Governor Dodge State Park inspire you, then get out and explore the beautiful state of Wisconsin at all of these amazing Wisconsin State Parks – all of which are near one or more of our top-rated Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts.
- Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo is the most popular State Park in Wisconsin. From the beautiful blue hues of Devil’s Lake to the towering quartzite cliffs surrounding git, there are plenty of ways to explore this stunning Wisconsin State Park.
- Wildcat Mountain State Park overlooks the Kickapoo River and offers beautiful views of the river below and miles of great hiking and biking.
- Perrot State Park near Trempealeau offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mississippi River. It’s a beautiful place for hiking, but with more than 200 bird species passing through this area each year, it’s also an excellent place for birdwatching.
- The Kettle Moraine State Forest is one of the most popular places to hike in Wisconsin and offers plenty of opportunities to extend your journey on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
- Hike along the stunning St. Croix River at the popular Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls.
- Willow River State Park is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Wisconsin.
- The picturesque hills of Rib Mountain State Park offer great chances for hiking and beautiful views of the town of Wausau below.
- Door County’s popular Peninsula State Park is nothing short of spectacular. It’s the state’s second most popular park and offers great biking on the sunset trail and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, not to mention kayaking offshore.
- Big Bay State Park, located on an island and reachable only by ferry from Bayfield, is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. This park offers incredible vistas of the state’s untamed wilderness and a panoramic view of Lake Superior.
Discover The Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin
When you can’t hike, bike, or paddle any further, the comfortable accommodation at our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts will be waiting for you! Our Inns are some of the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Each is unique, but all offer an exceptional range of amenities and the finest hospitality anywhere in the midwest.
From Governor Dodge State Park in the South Central Region to Big Bay State Park in Bayfield in the north, we can’t wait to show you these beautiful Wisconsin State Parks this summer! Book a room and enjoy the best places to stay in Wisconsin this summer!
