Best Camping in and near Governor Dodge State Park

97% (17 reviews)

Discover Governor Dodge State Park's natural splendor and outdoor adventures.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Governor Dodge State Park

My favorite trail at Governor Dodge is the Lost Canyon Trail that starts with the decent to the gorgeous Stephen's Falls. My favorite time of year to go is around Mid-May when the leaves are G R E E N and the bugs are minimal.

97%

(17)

Governor Dodge Campground

221 sites · RVs, Tents In Governor Dodge State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Governor Dodge State Park

95%

(242)

Camp Cedar Hills

41 sites · RVs, Tents800 acres · Mazomanie, WI

Cedar Hills is a wonderful private campground located on a ridge above 800 acres of stunning DNR land and only a couple minutes drive from historic Sauk City, WI and its many great restaurants. Enjoy great views and 2 miles of hiking trails, personal fire pits and private campsites with access to large pavilion and many communal spaces. Founded in 1979 Cedar Hills has a long history and large community of regulars some of whom have maintained and added to their sites for decades, making this place truly a labor of love. Large sections of this campground are clothing optional, and the whole campsite is strictly 18 and above. Cedar Hills is LGBTQ friendly. Located on a ridge above 800 acres of stunning DNR land and only a couple minutes drive from Sauk City WI and 150 miles from Chicago. Enjoy great views and 2 miles of hiking trails, personal fire pits and private campsites with access to large pavilion. Winter campers may enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing and access with your snow machine Founded in 1979 Cedar Hills has a long history and large community of regulars some of whom have maintained and added to their sites for decades, making this place truly a labor of love. Large sections of this campground are clothing optional, and the whole campsite is strictly 18 and above and LGBTQ friendly. Come and visit our 40 sites located on a breathtaking ridgeline with stunning views of the valleys below.

Booked 1 time

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway

1 site · Lodging45000 acres · Spring Green, WI

Round River Adventures offers glamping for 1 to 3 nights on the Wisconsin River in the Spring Green area. The river here offers beautiful sandbars, several state natural areas, good fishing, gorgeous views, the list goes on! Everything you need for a comfortable, safe stay on the river is included with our package. The sites are set up and ready for you to arrive. Glamp sites include 13’ bell tent with stargazing windows, double bed and bedding, two chairs, kitchen cook set, table, water and water dispenser, cooking set, stove, lantern and flashlight, bathroom shelter with toilet, firewood, cooking grate, and cooler loaded with ice. One canoe, two paddles, and two life jackets come with each booking. Additional canoes, coolers, and other equipment is available. If you prefer not to canoe (or are unable), arrangements can be made for a licensed captain to drop-off and pick you up from your camp via jet boat. Just let us know if your reservation request. RRA carefully choses sites to provide guests with opportunities for safe swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing. We also try to pick sites that offer shade, light breeze, and privacy.

100%

(1)

Pecatonica River Trails Park

30 sites · RVsDarlington, WI

The campground is located along the Pecatonica River and Tri-County Recreational Trail. Ride and enjoy the many sights along the famous Cheese Country ATV Trail and local Darlington ATV Club Trails. Visit Mathys Ace Hardware for your non-resident trail pass, if needed. Launch your canoe and paddle the Pecatonica River or fish & swim along the banks of the river. Take a stroll along the lighted walking path. Just sit and relax and enjoy the wildlife along the water’s edge! Don’t forget to enjoy shopping and eating in Darlington, or travel a short distance to historic Shullsburg or Mineral Point. The possibilities are endless! Free parking for daily trail users is available.

83%

(23)

Avoca Lake Tent Camping Resort

3 sites · Tents2 acres · Avoca, WI

Learn more about this land:Peaceful park like setting alongside Avoca Lake, convenient access and use of kayaks, canoes and paddle boats for a small extra fee. Newly added campfire wood is included. Electric charging station for cell phones and other small electronics within 50 feet. When water is high enough, Captained pontoon boat tour of Avoca Lake for $50 includes up to 6 seated guest passengers. 3 double wide hammocks, a bench swing and a large round swing for kids. 2 slides, one goes into the Sandy bottom lake. Maximum of 2 adult guests per tent plus minor children are free. One shared fire pit with free firewood. 3 tent sites, 1 vehicle per site. Group rates are $10 each extra adult. Absolutely no illegal drugs allowed.

93%

(52)

Terra Growers Organic Farm

15 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Waunakee, WI

Terra Growers is a 100 year-old organic family farm in Springfield WI near Waunakee. We raise free-range chickens (for eggs), grow an extensive variety of vegetables, tend to several fruit orchards, and grow a variety of berries. Terra Growers also has a year-round on-farm store, events open to the public, multiple campsites for rent, as well as extensive volunteer opportunities.

99%

(42)

WHY Worth Healing Yourself

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Cazenovia, WI

Bought to get grounded W.H.Y. did I purchase this 5 acres of land? This is my personal property I bought so I could get grounded while being surrounded by nature. Worth Healing Yourself is W.H.Y I invested in this lan d as well as myself! Enjoy rock hunting for agates, jasper, hematite, petrified wood and other mineral specimens. Property is 25 minutes from Richland Center. 30 minutes from Wisconsin Dells. Public land with miles of trout stream 3 miles away from the propertyy. The 400 State Trail is 7 miles away from property for bicyclists. Public road ATV and UTV trails surround WHY. Both Lake Redstone and Dutch Hollow Lake are 10 miles away. The Baraboo and Pine River are within 10 miles. The famous Bunker Hill Tavern that hosts the cannon run is 1 mile away! Local village of Cazenovia offers two small town Tavern’s that serve food and good company. There is also a convenient store and small grocery store located in the village as well. This is not a commercial camp ground. Cancellation within Hipcamp Moderate Cancellation Policy WILL BE withheld with host discretion. Rent tax will NOT be refunded if cancelled within Moderate Cancellation Policy time frame.

98%

(20)

SKILLET CREEK CAMPGROUND

1 site · Tent70 acres · Baraboo, WI

Skillet Creek Campground was previously Wheeler's Campground, located in Baraboo. It has the state park feel, large sites, wooded areas, hiking trails, and activities for the the kids. Learn more about this land: Peaceful and scenic area nestled in 70 acres of wooded forest. Spacious sites, hiking, biking, fishing pod, new swimming pond, large barn game room, gaga ball pit, cross net, jumping pad, bike rentals, 4 wheelcart rental, clean bathrooms. Full hookup sites and privative camping sites. Located 1 mile from Devil's lake in Baraboo, Wi. Enjoy nearby breweries, zoo, circus world museum.

Booked 1 time

Coyote Springs Farm

1 site · Lodging40 acres · Dodgeville, WI

Visit our historic farmland nested in a peaceful valley in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Rocky bluffs surround open pasture dotted with beautiful Oak trees, with a pristine spring-fed stream winding through the property. Enjoy mowed paths through pasture and hayfields and proximity to Governor Dodge State Park for miles of hiking in woods and prairie, swimming, boat rentals, fishing and waterfall viewing. Stay in a large, 16' canvas bell tent with an organic matress on a wooden bed frame appointed with solar twinkle lights, wool rugs, leather lounge chairs and option of adding a second bed or two. Our Tent sits above the ground on a wood platform, and looks over a private area complete with a fire ring and picnic table, just steps from a spring bursting from a hillside next to the creek, which you have access to dip your toes in or look for frogs. Leave your car in sight and walk your items down a mowed path with the assistance of a hand-cart. Watch the stars at night, listen to the frogs sing, the coyotes howl and the whip-or-will sing. We are a homestead farm, with a small flock of chickens and ducks. We live on the property with our 4 kids and two dogs. We are restoring the land we live on, adding prairie and managing the fields and pasture while raising strong resilient kids. We'd love to meet you, or let you stay in solitude and peace. Nearby Spring Green and Dodgeville offer restaurants and services, and we are just 40 minutes from Madison.

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(597)

Linden Camprground

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Apple River, IL

We bought the farmette with much work outside and home interior remodel to complete. We slowly turned the property into our family oasis. We neighbor a pasture with cows. There are free range chickens running around during the day. Geese greet us every evening and morning at the pond...as do the many bullfrogs. Occasionally you'll hear the coyotes, but then keep their distance. The stars shine peacefully and the sunsets are picturesque (most afternoons). The pond is a great place to swim and fish. The hillside is a nice walk for exercise or take the easier route and sit under the great oak tree in the other pasture. Campsites are off the road, behind our main home. You won't find a sign...we keep it simple.

100%

(157)

Circle M Farm Stay Camp n Glamp

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Blanchardville, WI

Camp in style on a beautiful Driftless Farmstead! This tiny valley farm once had stanchions to milk 8 cows in the barn. That was in 1890. Now we are home to dozens of sheep, steers, goats, hogs, cats, dogs, chickens and geese and myriad wild critters and pollinators and migrators. We are a conservation farm and on a mission to heal our wetland, improve our trout stream and bring people out to the land. We are in Driftless Southwest Wisconsin - gorgeous hills and quilted cropland bisected by oak woods and switchback rivers. Pitch your tent, park a small camper/rv, or stay in our vintage camper as close as the backyard or further away by the sheep pasture or frog pond. You will share an indoor bathroom, or our open-to-the-sky hot outdoor shower, and an outdoor sink with other campers. We have a Cedar Sauna you can reserve. This is easy camping with a view of the stars, nestled in a farm-to-table farm community with lots of goods to buy. We LOVE our Driftless neighborhood in SW Wisconsin and can recommend many amazing activities for everyone from fisherman to families! We live on a 20 acre farm bisected by a small river and a great trout stream, adjacent to 150 acres of restored prairie. We're close to shopping, antiquing, Amishing and good eating. We're within a half hour of 3 great rail trails, two state parks and one amazing ATV rental. Go to an old-fashioned drive in movie, a local farmers market, dirt-track stock care races, tractor pulls, a u-pick apple farm or a Toy Train Museum. Go tubing, kayaking, boating or biking - you can rent what you need. Or sit on one of the porches to watch the chickens peck and the pigs dig. We can't wait to introduce you to all the livestock, cats, our Great Pyrrannees pups, Waylon and Willie, and our Border Heeler, Dolly! We are a five minute walk from our cute downtown with a playground, library and several great places to eat. Ten minutes from New Glarus Brewery and Argyle (Pec Time Tubing). A half hour from Mineral Point (Fall Art Tour), Mount Horeb (Troll Way), Dodgeville (House on the Rock) and Monroe (Cheese Days). Fifteen minutes from hiking, fishing and boating at Yellowstone Lake State Park. Campfire with s'mores every night, coffee and scones in the morning. Wifi is reliable on some spots on the property, and a sure thing on the front breakfast porch. We do require a two-night minimum to stay in the campers. Tent camping we have no minimum. Please reach out to us on the app to see what is available.

100%

(5)

Sleepy Valley Springs

1 site · Tent4 acres · Boscobel, WI

4 acres nestled bordered on all sides by thousands of acres of public lands. Hike the hills and bluffs for scenic views of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Descend to enjoy the sandy Wisconsin River. Walk over to Knapp Creek and fish for Catfish, etc. One mile to the Wisconsin River for Catfish, Northern, Rock Bass, Flat Heads, Sturgeon, etc. We are in SW Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Apple orchards, Vineyards, Cheese factories, National Brewery Museum, Mississippi River, all within 10-40 minutes. 4 great parks within 30 miles. Wildlife abound including deer, turkey, fox, coyote, beaver, muskrat, river otter, raccoons, squirrels, eagles, swans, yep fish of all varieties, etc. Fill your canteen from our natural spring to enjoy along the way. Pause to reflect beside the babbling brook. We do have chickens and 3 Guinea Fowl. They are fenced on the opposite side of the creek. Please be aware: the rooster crows around 0500. They are 300’ away on the opposite side of the main house. Audible but hopefully not annoying. That said we are happy to have fresh eggs available for your enjoyment. Add them in the “extras” at checkout or mention when you arrive. We have one nice medium dog who won’t likely visit.

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(14)

Finally A Farm

8 sites · RVs, Tents28 acres · Richland Center, WI

The original log cabin is still part of the farmstead that originated back in the 1880's. The site was a family farm until around the 1940s. Also, the land was the Eastern banks of a large logging mill lake/pond 150 yrs ago, so the shoreline slopes do not allow campers in/out of the pasture areas. A popup would be feasible with a full size 4 wheel drive utility vehicle in river bottom/shorelines. Tents /Low impact camping are best. Then it became a cattle trading/selling business location as well as a farmstead. In 2019 a transition to Animal Therapy, Fishing Therapy, and Pastured pigs from New Zealand originally were almost extinct because of their friendly nosey nature at times gets them into trouble. They graze on open pasture most of the year and rest in the sun next to a trout stream. Learn more about this land: We are a working farm with mostly rescued farm animals. Many of the animals have special needs here and live their lives as free-range animals. The river in the back is home to wonderful Brown Trout and smallmouth bass. Also at times, there will be a couple of cows grazing too. You select your location for your primitive camping experience. If any special needs for a person arise, such as cane, charcoal grill, camp lantern We keep a small shed with supplies even items like tarps, cots, sleeping bags, even fishing rods. The owner is a highly achieved angler that has been filmed for the Discover Wisconsin Television TV show. and is available for guided fishing adventures and education in the area for all species. Also, certain times of the year are excellent for wild plants and mushroom foraging. Note this is the Driftless area of Wisc. where no glaciers came through. We have bluffs and streams around every curve of the road. The Wisc. Rivers very close too and has great fishing as well. The neighbor of this farm also rents and performs livery service for kayaks, canoes on the Pine River. Very close is also an outdoor gun range. Many times of the year, fresh meats are sold right at the farm as well as homemade sausages ready for your grill..

The best camping near Governor Dodge State Park guide

Overview

About

Bike, hike, spike, okay now we’re just rhyming. But at Governor Dodge State Park you can find the first two; or all three if you start a volleyball game. For other non-rhyming activities, hit the horse trails with your favorite four-legged-friend or captain your own boat or canoe. The fun isn’t done when the weather gets cold; cross-country skiing, sledding, ice-fishing, there’s no excuse for staying indoors!

Notable campgrounds

Twin Valley Campground – Set against a backdrop of steep valleys, this campground is perfect for a serene retreat.
Cox Hollow Campground – Ideal for families, this site offers easy access to the park's lakes and trails.
Group Camp – Large groups can enjoy the park's natural beauty together at this spacious campground.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot, as campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellations to snag a last-minute reservation.
Explore nearby camping options if the park's campgrounds are fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Governor Dodge State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it's also the busiest season. Winters are quiet and offer a snowy wonderland for cross-country skiing, but be prepared for cold temperatures.

Know before you go

Ensure your vehicle has a valid admission sticker before entering the park.
Check the park's official website for any property notices or closures before your visit.
Remember that the park is open from 6am to 11pm year-round, offering ample time for exploration.
Volunteering opportunities are available for those who wish to contribute to the park's upkeep.
Accessibility information can be obtained by contacting the park directly to ensure a comfortable visit for all.