Governor Nelson State Park

On a hot summer day, what’s better than going for a swim, enjoying a picnic with views of the State Capitol, or playing sand volleyball next to the lake? At Governor Nelson State Park, you can do all three and more! Not only is it a great place to enjoy the beach on Lake Mendota, but it also has over 8 miles of hiking trails. What’s more, there’s also a swim area dedicated to pets! Located in Waunakee, it is about a 20-minute drive from campus and requires a Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker.


Where it’s located