The Friends of Governor Dodge State Park was organized to support, promote, and develop educational opportunities, to encourage and evaluate park use, to protect and enhance park resources, and to continuously work to improve our park.
The Friends of Governor Dodge is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Our Mission
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The Friends identify, plan and fundraise to improve park facilities such as trails, beaches, campgrounds. Past projects have included building a canoe/kayak launch, re-building the boat storage area at Cox Hollow Concession, installing improved trailside signage, and creating a new rest area along the Driftless Trail. In May of 2022, a new, modern 20-site equestrian campground will open thanks to 7 years of planning and fundraising by the Friends.
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The Friends support nature education by funding summer Naturalist programming. Special events such as Smokey’s birthday and the Shared Trails Open House teach about fire prevention and how user groups can share trails safely.
The Friends offer a variety of educational merchandise at the Kiwanis Cox Hollow Concession including guidebooks and nature-themed children’s books and activities.
The Storywalk, which debuted in 2021, invites families to hike with their youngsters while enjoying a nature-themed picture book.
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The Friends seek to maintain and improve the park’s natural environment through workdays targeting invasive species, prairie maintenance, tree planting, and assisting with the spring clean up of campgrounds and public areas. In addition, each spring and fall Friends volunteers carry out road-side clean up along Highway 23 through the state Adopt-A-Highway program.