Governor Thompson State Park

Governor Thompson State Park was established in 2000, the Wisconsin State Park System's centennial year. With more than 2,800 acres of woods, a family campground, picnic area on Woods Lake, skiing and hiking trails and six miles of shoreline on the Caldron Falls Flowage, visitors will find an atmosphere that is perfect for solitude, reflection and recreation.

Activities and recreation:

Hiking
Governor Thompson State Park has more than 16 miles of hiking trails. A variety of trails of different lengths take hikers past some fantastic rock formations.

Camping

Family campground
The family campground is on the north side of the park about a half mile from the flowage. Most sites are reservable, but 10 sites are first-come, first-served.

The east loop has 30 sites, 16 are electric and two are fully accessible for the disabled. The north loop has 30 sites, all non-electric. All campground loops have vault toilets and drinking fountains. Between the loops there is a shower/toilet building. The south loop has 40 non-electric campsites.

Boat-in campsites
There are three boat access campsites on the south shore of Caldron Falls Flowage. These sites are reservable and only accessed by boat (canoe or power boat).

All sites have a canoe rack, place to tie up a boat, picnic table, fire ring, tent area, bear-proof food box, bench and outdoor toilet. These sites are open year-round for backpack camping.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking

Governor Thompson State Park has about 6.5 miles of undeveloped shoreline on Caldron Falls Flowage, with frontage on Woods Lake and Huber Lake.

There is a popular boat launch on the Caldron Falls Reservoir, South Bay or Boat Landing #13. The launch facilities include two concrete launches, a boarding dock, a fishing pier, paved parking lot, picnic area and restrooms.

Only non-motorized boats are allowed on Woods Lake.

Picnic areas
The Woods Lake area has picnic tables and benches to enjoy a peaceful lunch or to simply enjoy the seasonal changes around the lake.

Swimming
The Woods Lake area has a 150-foot sand beach for swimming, a grassy sunning area and a vault toilet with changing rooms.

Fishing
Fishing is available to those who enjoy a quiet experience. The most popular fish are blue gills, crappies, northern and bass.

Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties.

Winter activities
In the winter, trails are tracked for diagonal skiers and groomed for skate skiers. The shelter building at Woods Lake is a popular warming area for cross-country skiers, ice fishermen and kids using the sledding hill in the winter.