Governor Dodge State Park, Wisconsin

Camping at Governor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin is an absolutely wonderful place for family travel.  Wisconsin’s state park system is so stunning and each park is very unique. Governor Dodge State Park is a camper’s dream!  It is difficult to choose just one favorite part of the park. There are waterfalls, multiple beaches, watercraft rental, hiking and equestrian trails plus lush green campsites and a beautiful nature center.

 

 

Let me take you on a tour, first Stephans’ Falls.  As the name states it is a hike that includes a waterfall!  Do you ever wonder why waterfalls are such a diamond in the hiking world?  Whenever we are near waterfalls, we always find a way to spend time around and sometimes in waterfalls.  Waterfalls are rare, awakening and just beautiful. They often trick our senses into believing we are close to the sea.  Governor Dodge State Park Stephans’ Falls exceeds all of our expectations for a waterfall.

 

From the beginning of the hike we looked down into a canyon and saw the falls.

 

 

Then we take a steep stairwell down into the canyon to reach the waterfall.  Careful on the steps some are wet and covered in moss.

 

 

Once to the bottom we sat and stared at the beauty of the waterfall, we stood with our eyes closed and listened to the water plummet from the top to the pool at the bottom.  It was much darker at the bottom and the temperature dropped from 85 degrees above to what I guess was about 70 degrees in the canyon. I wish we could of pitched a tent right there!

 

 

There was a small cavern that the boys couldn’t resist going into and poking around.

 

 

The entire area was just too much to take in all at once!  The sights and the sound of the rushing water and then the smell of freshness, no air freshener could ever copy.

 

 

After about an hour of taking in the canyon and falls we began to move through the trail which continued at the bottom of the canyon.  

 

 

The trail made you feel like you were in a completely secluded area, in a secret world of creeks, rock bridges, caves, bluffs and sounds of nature.  The boys found another fun cave to climb into.

 

 

The trail ended with an incline that lead to a prairie and some fun historical buildings.

 

That was super fun, right?  Next let me show you the beaches!  We are a beach family, it doesn’t matter if it is the white sands in Mexico or the light brown sand in a freshwater spring fed Wisconsin lake, WE LOVE BEACHES!!!

 

We spent a lot of time on the Cox Hollow beach, where we could rent watercraft and swim.  

 

 

We couldn’t get the boys off the different watercraft.  I think they loved the kayaks the best, until they got on the paddle boat or maybe they changed their mind when they went on the boat to go fishing.

 

 

The second beach, Twin Valley Beach, we only went to once.  There was only one other family, but the kids loved the sand and played with the other kids.  Next time I would stop here more often.

 

 

Dinner at the campground is always one of my favorite things to look forward to after a day of hiking, biking and swimming.  One of our dinners during this camping trip (and most trips) was a foil dinner. We take ingredients we have usually a meat, veggies, onions, butter or a gravy.  But this week we had rib meat!! Oh my goodness!!! So so so yummy!

 

 

When we camp we like to get out away from the campground and experience what the area has to offer, so we set off on a short road trip to a town near by, Mount Horeb.  On our way we were passing another Wisconsin State Park, Blue Mound State Park. As I said before each Wisconsin State Park is unique, this park has two attractions that make it very unique.  There are two towers on the property. Climbing to the top is a vertical hike that is rewarded with the most beautiful view.

 

 

The second attraction is it is the ONLY Wisconsin State Park with a pool!!  It is newly renovated and the bath house/changing rooms were super nice. This may be our next camping trip!

 

 

After about an hour at Blue Mound State Park, we got back on the road and headed to Mount Horeb.  We found a fun little place with picnic tables and had a light lunch before touring the town.

 

 

Mount Horeb is a town proud of their Norwegian Heritage and is titled the “Troll Capital of the World!”  As we walked through the town we found numerous trolls, they were so adorable or odd, based on how you look at them!

 

 

After walking and shopping we stopped in the visitor’s center to grab some postcards and talk to townspeople to find out their take on the adorable town.  

 

 

We were ready for a snack and some air conditioning so we found a great place, The Grumpy Troll  microbrewery. Can’t beat a microbrew and a pretzel as big as your head!!

 

 

This was a fantastic trip!  We loved every day, every activity and attraction.  We hope you enjoyed our trip as well.