Governor Nelson State Park
Park · Waunakee
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About this park
Governor Nelson State Park is a day-use park on Lake Mendota near Waunakee, with a sand beach, boat launch, prairie restorations and more than 8 miles of trails; look for effigy mounds along the Woodland Trail. Dogs have their own swim area north of the beach, and a state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
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MadisonWI.com guide
Parks in Madison: good to know
The City of Madison manages more than 280 parks covering nearly 6,000 acres, and Dane County runs another 19,000-plus acres of parks, wildlife areas and campgrounds. City parks are open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (conservation parks close an hour after sunset), and county parks close at 10 p.m.
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A few rules worth knowing in Madison's city parks: glass isn't allowed in any park; most parks allow alcohol in non-breakable containers, but about 20, including Brittingham, James Madison, Tenney and Law parks, are alcohol-free; and personal grills are fine in most general parks unless there's a burning ban. Conservation parks don't allow alcohol, fires or grills.
Picnic shelters are reserved online, by phone at 608-266-4711, or in person, and you pay in full when you book. Reservations for the next year open in early November, and summer weekends go fast. Dane County campgrounds (Brigham, Lake Farm, Mendota and Token Creek) also open reservations in early November through ReserveDane.