Current Conditions

Conditions at Governor Dodge State Park change rapidly. We attempt to keep you up to date on many of the most common questions about park conditions. In this section, the Weather is updated automatically, but all other sections change whenever there is an actual change at the park.

General Conditions

Summer is just around the corner. Water systems are being turned on throughout the park.

Current Weather Conditions

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Current Weather Conditions for Dodgeville, WI - NOAA
Current Weather Conditions for Dodgeville, WI - Intellicast

Horse/Bike Trail Conditions

Purchase your Trail Pass through the Friends!
Print out this form.

All horse and bike trails are CLOSED for the season. Trails are open May 1 - Nov 15 each year.
During the wet times of summer, there may be days that the trails will close due to weather conditions. Contact the park for more details if you are unsure.

*Note* The day-use parking lot for horse trail users (located near the barn) can sometimes fill up in the summer. When this happens, please use the parking lot near the Twin Valley shelter.

All horse and bike rider 16 years of age and older are required to carry a Wisconsin state trail pass whenever they ride. Passes can be purchased for either a day or for the whole year.  These trail passes are required for all horse and bike trails inside the park, as well as the Military Ridge State Trail. Purchase your trail pass at the park office or by printing, completing and mailing this pdf form with payment to the Friends of Gov Dodge.

Trail conditions change rapidly, contact the park office at (608) 935-2315 for any questions about the trails.

Cross-Country Ski Trail Conditions

Trails are CLOSED for the season, see you next year!

Trail conditions change rapidly, contact the park office at (608) 935-2315 for any questions about the trails.

REMINDER: No hiking or pets on the ski trails during the winter months. There are alternative trails that hikers and pet owners are welcome on, try Uplands Trail and Pine Cliff Trail.

Snowmobile Trails

• Governor Dodge State Park allows snowmobiles to ride on the outer horse loop (15 miles) within the park.
• Riders can access the trail from Military Ridge Trail or by trailering and unloading at the park office. Vehicles parking at the office will need a valid Wisconsin State Park Admission Sticker.
• The snowmobile trails in Governor Dodge follow the opening and closing of area trails. The best place to find out trail conditions is the Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report. Riders should be looking for Iowa County trail conditions.

*NOTE: cross-country ski conditions are updated for this site and TravelWisconsin.com at about the same time by a member of the Friends. Ski condition reports will usually be updated sometime shortly after the trails have been groomed.
Snowmobile trail conditions are updated by a local third party.

Interpretive Updates

The park will try to have a program every Saturday night throughout the summer. Stay tuned to posted fliers or our calendar for events.

All Upcoming Events

Camping

Camping is limited to Twin Valley Campground and Hickory Ridge Group Camp Area. Water systems are available in these campgrounds. Cox Hollow Campground is due to open May 10.
NOTE - Cox Hollow Campground sites 49-118 is due to have work done on the water distribution lines in late spring/early summer. Some campsites may not be available.

Camping reservations are available through Reserve America. You can make a reservation by calling (888) 947-2757 or online at ReserveAmerica.com.  The park also has a number or first-come first-serve sites available for with both electric and non-electric amenities.

Hunting

Spring Turkey Hunting is happening in the park

Period A

Apr 11 - Apr 17

Period B

Apr 18 - Apr 24

Period C

Apr 25 - May 1

Periods D, E, F

Park closed for hunting during these periods

ALL hunters are required to wear blaze-orange during firearm seasons (this includes bow-hunters and small game hunters). Non-hunters are not required to wear blaze-orange, but is recommended when hiking.

For times, locations and descriptions of events, please see our Calendar .
We will try our best to keep these conditions up-to-date, even for rained out events, but if you would like to verify the status of interpretive programs, contact the park at (608)935-2315.

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