Governor Nelson State Park
The park entrance is 3 miles from Waunakee. Day-use fee: Vehicle pass required (WI $13/day; out-of-state $16/day). Governor Nelson State Park is a state park in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Governor Nelson State Park map
Governor Nelson State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Entry to Governor Nelson State Park: Vehicle pass required (WI $13/day; out-of-state $16/day).
- Governor Nelson State Park is 3 miles from Waunakee.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at Governor Nelson State Park.
- Yes, Research Reserves Lake is open to swimming at Governor Nelson State Park.
Before you go
Governor Nelson State Park is 3 miles from Waunakee.
Camping at Governor Nelson State Park
Sites can be reserved in advance.
What to see
- State park Designation in agency park name
- State park system unit Listed on the agency park identity roster
Swimming
- Research Reserves Lake
- dnr.wisconsin.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- en.wikipedia.org (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- en.wikipedia.org (accessed 2026-09-30)
- dnr.wisconsin.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- dnr.wisconsin.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- dnr.wisconsin.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- dnr.wisconsin.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.