Governor Thompson State Park
Covering almost 3,000 acres on the shores of the Caldron Falls Reservoir in northeastern Wisconsin, Governor Thompson State Park offers scenic woods, an inland lake, hiking and skiing trails, and a pet-friendly campground.
With six miles of shoreline on Caldron Falls Flowage, including frontage on both Woods Lake and Huber Lake, the park is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. There's a well-used boat launch on the Caldron Falls Reservoir that features a boarding dock and fishing pier, while anglers can try their luck catching bluegill, crappie, and bass. A 150-foot sand beach offers a popular swimming spot on Woods Lake during the summer months.
There are also 16 miles of hiking trails that wind their way past many of the park's unique rock formations. The 2.1-mile Granite Path Trail begins near Woods Lake and takes you through the heart of the forest, while the 1.9-mile Flowage Trail is a popular pathway leading from Boat Ramp 13 to Huber Lake.
The clean and well-maintained campground is spread around three loops. The north loop and south loop have 30 non-electric and 40 non-electric sites respectively, while the east loop boasts 16 electric and 14 non-electric sites. Two sites on the east loop are also ADA accessible.
There's decent privacy between the sites, and the fact that this is a fairly new campground means the amenities are modern and clean. However, the limited number of electric sites means that anyone wanting access to power during their stay should book well in advance.
Each loop has vault toilets and drinking fountains, while a centrally located amenities building offers showers and flush toilets. A dump station is also provided, and there are three separate boat-in campsites found on the southern shore of Caldron Falls Flowage for those arriving by water.
Pets are welcome in the campground, on the hiking trails, at the Woods Lake beach, the picnic area, and Boat Landing 13. Just make sure your furry friend is leashed and attended at all times, and that you clean up after your pooch whenever required.
The daily vehicle entrance fee in Governor Thompson State Park is $8 for Wisconsin visitors and $11 for those from out of state, while camping costs vary depending on the site you select.
If you're looking for some good old-fashioned family camping fun in Wisconsin's great outdoors, this park is well worth a visit. Not only is there something for campers of all ages, there's plenty for your pet to explore too!
