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. Governor Nelson State Park is one of the few Wisconsin state parks that does not allow overnight camping.[citation needed]
| Governor Nelson State Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Summer meadow view. | |
   | |
| Location | 5140 County Highway M, Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°8′6″N 89°26′11″W / 43.13500°N 89.43639°W |
| Area | 422 acres (171 ha) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Named for | Gaylord Nelson |
| Governing body | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
History
editA portion of the site of the park originally hosted a boys' camp called Camp Indianola.[1] Orson Welles was a camper at the camp in his youth. The camp closed in 1967.[2]
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Wildflower view -
Lone prairie oak -
Early blooms on the prairie -
Early spring in the marsh -
Spring forest bloom
References
edit- ^ 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
edit- Governor Nelson State Park official website