Governor Nelson State Park
On the North Shore of Lake Mendota

• Beach
• Facilities
• Fishing
• How to Get There
• Pets
• Picnicking
• Trails
• In the Area
• More Information

Governor Nelson is a 422-acre day use facility. It has a 500-foot sand beach, bathhouses with solar-heated showers, a four-stall boat launch, a fish cleaning facility, picnic areas, barrier free playground equipment, prairie restorations, 8.4 miles of hiking/cross country ski trails, and a scenic overlook of Lake Mendota.

The prairie offers a changing display of wildflowers, these in September.
DNR Photo

A 358-foot panther effigy mound and several conical mounds are near the trails in the southern section of the park.

The park is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. An admission sticker is required on all vehicles stopping in the park. You can buy stickers at the park office.

Trails

In spring, summer, and fall, hike 8.4 miles of trails through many diverse ecological communities including oak woodland and savannah and mesic and wet prairies. Wildflowers are abundant along the trails.

Various animals can often be seen while hiking the trails. Also found on the hiking trails are two accessible viewing platforms with information panels.

Bikes are not allowed on the trails.

Both traditional and skate-style skiers enjoy the wide trails.
DNR Photo

In the winter, trails are tracked for diagonal skiers and groomed for skate skiers. Most are easy to moderate in difficulty. A few trails have hills with difficult turns. There's a hill for sledding. Hiking is not allowed when snow conditions are favorable to cross-country skiing.

Beach

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend the beach will be marked with buoys for swimming. No lifeguards are on duty. No boats, sailboards, or personal watercraft are allowed within the marked swim area and boaters must go slow, no wake, within 100 feet of the swim buoys.

Glass containers and metal cans with removable pull tabs are not allowed in the sand beach area for safety reasons.

Fishing

Game and pan fish are plentiful in Lake Mendota, allowing for year-round fishing. An accessible fishing pier next to the boat landing provides visitors with a great place to fish or just relax and enjoy the feel of the lake.

Pets

Pets are welcome at the park, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet in length and be under physical control at all times. Pets are allowed in all areas of the park except buildings, picnic areas, beach areas, and areas posted as pet free. About 407 of the park’s 422 acres are open to pets. When trails are snow-covered, pets and hiking are allowed only on the Morningside multi-use trail.

Picnic tables for visitors with pets are located in a shady area near the boat landing restrooms, and a pet swim area is located off the Morningside Trail. Please clean up any messes that your pets may make.

Picnicking

Grills are provided in the picnic area. Fires are not allowed at the park. If you bring your own grill, please use the receptacles in the picnic areas for your hot coals.

Planning a company picnic, family reunion or birthday party! Contact us to reserve the picnic shelter in our beach picnic area overlooking Lake Mendota. Call for available dates.

Alcohol is allowed in the park. Underage drinking or possesion of alcohol is punishable by law. Identification is required.

Facilities

From mid-May through September, flush toilets are available at the beach and boat landing. October through mid-May, flush toilets are available at the boat landing. A pit toilet is available year-round in the Wakanda area.

All facilities are accessible for people with disabilities. Contact the park office for details.

A boy stretches his muscles at the beach playground.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

In the Area

Madison area [exit DNR]—Accommodations, activities, dining, events, and more

How to Get There

The entrance to Governor Nelson State Park is on the southeast side of County Highway M, about 2 miles west of State Highway 113 and 4.7 miles east of U.S. Highway 12.

For More Information

Governor Nelson State Park
5140 Cty Hwy M
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 831-3005