Governor Nelson State Park
Governor Nelson State Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Affordable Hotels in Contiguous United States
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.
&promo_pic=/one-page/coolest.jpg)
The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.
Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Contiguous United States
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.
Posts
Nearby Recommendations | Hidden Gem State Parks You Never Knew About
DelDel
2380
A lesser known state park with great views of Madison named after a remarkable public servant. The park is smaller than others in the state park system, but with its proximity to Madison, it is an easy visit with beautiful trails and stunning views across Lake Mendota. It is a great place for more solitary hikes. The prairie trails offer a casual hike or a run reminiscent of a cross country course. There is great water access available here. A beach with a pavilion, playground and volleyball court. A separate pet swim area. And then the boat launch. Gaylord Nelson was a former governor and United States Senator of Wisconsin and is most famous for founding Earth Day. He was a leading conservationist, consumer advocate and supporter of civil rights and civil liberties. Visit this park for a pleasant few hours spent in nature and honoring someone who brought conservation to the forefront of the national conscience.
Kyle GoodmanKyle Goodman
40
Honestly... I wasn't a big fan of this state park. I enjoyed the woodland trail hike that we did with our 3 and 5 year old, but given the noise from nearby roads it was an ever present reminder that we hadn't escaped the confines of the Madison area and that we wouldn't really be afforded the opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature. That being said we saw a fair amount of deer hidden in the woods which was a fun surprise, but yet I couldn't help but feel like they were stressed out by all the people walking the trails. Given how close this is to the Madison area I'll likely check out the dog swim area with our dogs sometime, but overall I'd much rather hop in the car and find something a little more tucked away from it all for future hikes.
Matthew KuikmanMatthew Kuikman
10
I’ve visited here in a few different seasons and have to say that autumn is my favorite. With the changing colors of the leaves the woodland trails are beautiful and quite serene. This park is definitely less busy than others I’ve been to in the area, and offers great paths for walking, trail running, or even stroller pushing through the woods and Prairie. There are informative plaques about the history of the area scattered throughout. There’s also a beach, pier, limited restrooms, boat launch, and plenty of parking. Certainly a nice place to escape and let the stress melt away.
Joshua AJoshua A
10
There is plenty of parking. Entrance fee is steep ($8 or $11/ day if you are resident or non resident). They do have annual passes as well. The park has a lot of potential, but could use some TLC. Infrastructure is crumbling. Beach area isn't that well upkept. Beach was full of green sludge. You can see downtown Madison and there is a boat launch available. Mosquitoes and bugs can be bad. There are plenty of trails through tall grass where you can see plenty of pollinators. There otherwise isn't that much to see
Mister JonMister Jon
20
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
5140 Co Hwy M, Waunakee, WI 53597
Map
Phone
(608) 831-3005
Call
Website
dnr.wisconsin.gov
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(434 reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
family friendly
pet friendly
Description
Governor Nelson State Park is a 422-acre Wisconsin state park located outside of Waunakee, Wisconsin in the town of Westport on the north shore of Lake Mendota. It is named for former Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson. On most days the Wisconsin State Capitol building can be seen in nearby Madison.
attractions: , restaurants:
- Please manually select your location for better experience