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

Winter is upon us. Water has been turned off throughout the park, but a faucet is available outside the office all season. The road between the campgrounds is closed for the seaon and all ski trails are deemed off-limts to hikers and pets. Remember we have two other hiking trails (Uplands and Pine Cliff) that are open to hiking all season.

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 trails are CLOSED. Trails close on Nov. 15 every year and are scheduled to open May 1st depending on weather.

*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

3/3/10 - Trail conditions are POOR. It is unlikely that the trails will be groomed anymore this 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.

Interpretive Updates

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, so "Get Outdoors" and look up.

Join us for many exciting programs this summer!

All Upcoming Events

Camping

The park has transitioned to off-season. See below for information about the campgrounds.

Cox Hollow sites 2-48: closed to reservations 9/27/09; closed to all camping 10/13/09.
Cox Hollow sites 49-118: closed to reservations 9/15/09; closed to all camping 10/13/09.
Twin Valley sites 200-254: closed to reservations 10/31/09; open throughout winter (weather permitting), will not be plowed.
Twin Valley sites 254-293: closed to reservations 10/31/09; open throughout winter, select sites will be plowed.
Twi Valley sites 300-356: closed to reservations 10/31/09; closed to all camping 11/1/09.
Horse Camp: closed to reservations and camping 10/13/09; open to walk-ins AFTER EARLY DEER HUNTING SEASON through 11/14/09.
Group Camp: closed to reservations and camping 10/13/09.
Backpack Sites: closed to reservations and camping 10/13/09.

Bathroom and water facilities will stay open until frost. To avoid damage from frost to the water system, these facilities will be shut down once cold weather is predicted. Contact the park office for more details.

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

Hunting ends on Jan. 3

Gun-Deer

Oct 15 - Oct 18 (Antlerless Only)

Nov 21 - Nov 29 (Earn-a-Buck)

Nov 30 - Dec 9 (Muzzleloader Only, EAB)

Dec 10 - Dec 13 (Antlerless Only)

Archery-Deer

Oct 15 - Oct 18 (Antlerless Only)

Oct 19 - Dec 9 (EAB)

Dec 10 - Dec 13 (Antlerless Only)

Dec 14 - Jan 3 (EAB)

Small Game

Nov 1 - Dec 15 (Closes at noon each day, shotgun only)

Early Gun Deer Hunting will take place in the park from 10/15/09-10/18/09.

ALL hunters are required to wear blaze-orange during any gun-deer season. 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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