Governor Dodge Park – Dodgeville, WI

by Durene Scott · October 18, 2025

Discovering the Un-Glaciated Wonders of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area – Forget the flat plains you might associate with the Midwest; the Driftless Area is a geological marvel that will completely redefine your expectations of the region. This landscape is a dramatic tapestry of rugged, steep hills and narrow, winding valleys, a stark and beautiful contrast to the surrounding areas. Its name comes from a unique quirk of the last Ice Age: the glaciers were diverted by high ground and skipped this spot, leaving it blissfully free of the usual “glacial drift”—the silt, sand, and gravel they deposit. This untouched quality is what gives the Driftless Area its stunning, ancient contours.

Our Home Base: Governor Dodge State Park – We kicked off our adventure by setting up camp at Governor Dodge State Park. The campsites here are perfectly nestled among the trees, making it feel wonderfully secluded. This park was an absolute dream for classic campfire nights—toes warming by the flames as the mesmerizing, rhythmic song of the cicadas provided the perfect natural soundtrack. It served as our ideal “jump-off” spot for a series of unforgettable day trips.

Day Trip 1: A Taste of Switzerland in New Glarus – Our first excursion whisked us away to the delightfully European town of New Glarus. Stepping onto the streets here is like teleporting to the Alps. We couldn’t help but gawk at the houses and shops, all meticulously adorned like authentic Swiss chalets. After a charming stroll, we made the necessary pit stop and left with a bag of cheese curds—the essential road trip snack—for the drive to our next destination: Madison.

Next Stop: The Electric Energy of Madison – Madison, home of the powerful University of Wisconsin Badgers, was a blast! Since my younger sister went to school here, it was fun exploring her old stomping grounds. The heart of the action is State Street, a closed-off, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare that leads directly up to the campus. It’s a sensory explosion of bars, shops, and restaurants, absolutely buzzing with student energy. The campus itself is situated right on Lake Mendota, and the scenery is breathtaking. We spent some time by the lakefront, watching the constant flurry of activity from the student union and cafeteria. And yes, Mitch definitely enjoyed the summer scene: students soaking up the sun and lounging on the grass in their string bikinis. It’s hard to imagine, but those sunbathing students will soon be trading their swimwear for warm parkas to brave the notorious winds and snow once winter rolls around!

Day Trip 2: Bluffs and Boulders at Devils Lake – We dedicated our next day to Devils Lake State Park, and wow, what a view! The park boasts absolutely magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs that tower over a 360-acre lake. With nearly 30 miles of hiking trails to choose from, we opted for the challenging East Bluff trail. This route provided spectacular overlooks of the stone cliffs and the iconic, gravity-defying “Balanced Rock.” The park is a major hotspot for rock climbers scaling the sheer walls, though we sadly didn’t spot any on our visit.

A Peaceful Finish Back at Camp – Before heading home, we enjoyed a final hike at our own park, Governor Dodge. We chose the trail to Stephen Falls. Beyond the rewarding view of the cascade, the hike itself was lovely. The ground was already covered in a thick blanket of fallen leaves. While the famous, glorious colors of red, orange, and yellow weren’t quite there yet, the crisp air and soft crunch underfoot still made it feel wonderfully like the start of a perfect autumn day.