Governor Nelson State Park
| Governor Nelson State Park | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer meadow | |||||||
Interactive map of Governor Nelson State Park | |||||||
| Location | Dane County, Wisconsin, United States | ||||||
| Coordinates | 43°8′6″N 89°26′11″W / 43.13500°N 89.43639°W | ||||||
| Area | 422 acres (171 ha) | ||||||
| Elevation | 850 ft (260 m)[1] | ||||||
| Established | 1975[2] | ||||||
| Administered by | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | ||||||
| Named for | Gaylord Nelson | ||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||
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Governor Nelson State Park is a 422-acre (171 ha) Wisconsin state park located outside of Waunakee, Wisconsin in the town of Westport on the north shore of Lake Mendota. It is named for former Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson. On most days the Wisconsin State Capitol building can be seen in nearby Madison. Common activities include boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming. There is also a boat launch and a swimming area for pets. Away from the lake one can find restored prairie and savanna, effigy mounds, hiking trails and ski trails.[3]
History
A portion of the site of the park originally hosted a boys' camp called Camp Indianola.[4] Orson Welles was a camper at the camp in his youth. The camp closed in 1967.[5]
Gallery
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Wildflower view
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Lone prairie oak
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Early blooms on the prairie
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Early spring in the marsh
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Spring forest bloom
References
- ^ "Sixmile Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "History and Timeline of the Wisconsin State Park System". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ^ "Governor Nelson State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ^ Levitan, Stu (August 9, 2013). "Lowell Frautschi sets the record straight on Orson Welles' time in Madison". Isthmus. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
- ^ "Four Memories and Milestones from 1967". Madison Magazine. July 19, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Governor Nelson State Park.
- Governor Nelson State Park Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Governor Nelson State Park Map Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources