Governor Thompson State Park
N10008 Paust Lane, Crivitz WI 54114, Phone (715) 757-3979

• How to Get There
• Plans for the Future
• In the Area
• More Information

The 2,800-acre Governor Thompson State Park is 15 miles northwest of Crivitz in Marinette County. The site protects 5,300 feet of shoreline on Wood and Huber Lakes and protects Handsaw Creek and Woods Lake Outlet. The main parcel creating the park is the former 1,987-acre Paust Woods Lake Resort and about 200 acres of wild-looking lakefront bought from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation on Caldron Falls Reservoir.

A scenic overlook on Caldron Falls Flowage
DNR Photo

The park includes about 6.5 miles of undeveloped shoreline on Caldron Falls Flowage, backed up by forested uplands, and frontage on Woods Lake and Huber Lake, as well as several streams. Visitors will find an atmosphere that is perfect for solitude, reflection, recreation, and education.

Wildlife abounds on this extensively forested site; deer, grouse and turkey are the most abundant. The natural balance of wooded upland and wetland provides diverse natural habitats and the ability to support many recreational activities.

The park was established in 2000, the Wisconsin State Park System's centennial year. The park opened to the public in November 2005 for the nine-day gun deer hunt and as a day-use park.

While the park is developing more recreational areas there are many things for visitors to do. The park has developed a picnic area on Woods Lake and is building a shelter in the summer of 2008. The park has also rebuilt Boat Landing 13 on Caldron Falls Flowage with additional ramps, parking, and restrooms. Visitors can enjoyboating, hiking, berry picking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, relaxing, and deer gun hunting at the park..

An artist finds inspiration from the park's woods, water, and wetlands.
DNR Photo

A Wisconsin state park sticker is required on all vehicles stopping in the park from our Ranch Road entrance. Stickers can be purchased in the park office. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and the office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the summer. There is a self-registration box near the office for hours when the office is closed.

The flowage reflects a rainbow.
DNR Photo

In the Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest [exit DNR]
Marinette County [exit DNR]—Accommodations, activities, dining, events, and more
The Real North [exit DNR] (Marinette County tourism)

Plans for the Future

Future development will include some modern conveniences, but in keeping with the master plan, the park will preserve an “informal northwoods style” and provide a wide variety of opportunities for public recreation in a rustic, forested setting. The plan calls for developed and primitive campgrounds; trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, bicycling and snowmobiling; picnic sites and swimming areas; and restored pine barrens—a plant community once common in Wisconsin but now rare.

Read more about future facilities planned for the park.

How to Get There

From Crivitz, travel northwest on County Highway A to County Highway X (four-way stop). Turn left on County Highway X. Continue on Highway X past the High Falls Reservoir bridge and then turn right on Parkway Road. Go north about .5 mile on Parkway Road and then turn left on Ranch Road. Go west on Ranch Road about 1 mile to Paust Lane. Turn right (north) on Paust Lane to enter the park.

More Information

Friends of Governor Thompson State Park [exit DNR]
Marinette County Parks [exit DNR]

For more information, ask Park Manager Maggie Kailhofer, (715) 757-3979.