Welcome to the Friends Website

This is the official website for the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park. Welcome!

Located just north of the city of Dodgeville, Governor Dodge State Park is a great place to visit. Between the prairies, savannahs, forests and marshes there lie two lakes and many rocky out-croppings. Visitors come to camp, hike, bike, ski, ride horse, swim and fish (just to name a few activities). We love this park and would love to share it with you. Please enjoy this website to learn a little more about ourselves and the park.

Supporting Recreation, Education and Environmental Stewardship

We are a group of volunteers who work to benefit Governor Dodge State Park. Our mission is to support recreation, education and environmental stewardship. For more information about our group, please visit Who are the Friends.

UPDATE 1/5/15 - Many areas continue to be affected. The snowmobile trail, Mill Creek, Pine Cliff, Lakeview and Portions of the outer horse loop trails remain closed. Crews are harvesting debris and we hope to see re-development of the trails this coming season.

Notice: On June 29th, a tornado swept through Governor Dodge State Park. The park sustained considerable damage in both the northern areas and southern areas of the park. There is considerable tree debris scattered throughout the park.

There are months of clean up work ahead. While many areas of the park must remain closed for safety reasons and the majority of the storm debris has yet to be removed, the park is still open.

We appreciate your understanding as we work through this storm clean up. Please contact the park office for specific open/closed area information. Thank you.

Recent News

Update - Candle Light Hike

admin Thu, 01/22/2015 - 17:53

The event is on! Due to the recent lack of snow, we won't be able to properly groom for a ski. But we will still be lighting the trail for a candle light hike/snow-shoe. The plan is to start at the amphitheater and walk a portion of the Meadow Valley Trail. For those that visited for our fall hike, it will be held in the same area. We will have a campfire and good times waiting for you.

Hope to see you there!

Hunting Calendar Created

admin Thu, 10/30/2014 - 12:37

Since we are in hunting season, and many people have wondered about the season structure at the park. We have created a hunting calendar so you can begin to understand what seasons are open when.

Click on the image to enlarge

Fall Candlelight Hike is a GO!!

admin Sat, 09/20/2014 - 14:36

Saturday October 11, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Amphitheater/Trails' End Shelter

This year's hike will be in an alternate area due to damage on the Lakeview Trail. We will be holding the hike on a portion of the Meadow Valley Trail between the Amphitheater and Twin Valley Campground. The start area will be the Amphitheater/Trails' End Shelter. S'mores fixin's will be provided along with a nice campfire. The Iowa County Astronomers will have equipment to watch the stars.

Storm damage in and near the park

admin Fri, 07/04/2014 - 12:09

Notice: On June 29th, a tornado swept
through Governor Dodge State Park. The park sustained considerable damage in
both the northern areas and southern areas of the park. There is considerable
tree debris scattered throughout the park.

THESE AREAS CLOSED TO ALL USE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

Summer 2014 Newsletter Posted

admin Mon, 05/26/2014 - 00:03

The latest newsletter has been posted on our Newsletter page. This edition includes the winners of the 2013 photo contest, a letter from the President and an article about prairie restoration. Enjoy!

Launch of the new website

admin Sun, 05/11/2014 - 13:12

The Friends website has undergone a few changes. Most of what you liked from the old website is still here, just have a look around. Hopefully this new format will still bring you all the information you need to learn more about the Friends and Governor Dodge State Park.