Gateway to Governor Dodge State Park
Driftless Wellness Retreats is located directly across from one of Wisconsin’s largest and most scenic state parks. Skip the main gates and start your adventure right from our driveway. (3911 County Road Z-Dodgeville, WI)
We are located right at the County Road Z entrance to the park. You don't need to drive to the main Highway 23 entrance! Simply walk across the road to the Military Ridge Access Trail (the paved path). This 'backdoor' entrance puts you on a beautiful 1.2-mile paved stroll directly to the Cox Hollow Lake beach and other trails.
Guest Logistics
Parking: Avoid the park’s busy parking lots! Guests are welcome to park in our driveway or safely along the road.
The Vibe: We recommend a morning hike, bike or paddle followed by a session in our Nordic Sauna—it is the ultimate Driftless "recharge" cycle.
Hiking Options from the Retreat
You don't need to drive to the main park entrance. Simply walk across the road from our driveway to access the park’s best trails. Here are a few options for you, but there are many more! Check out the Official Governor Dodge Trial Map here
Option 1: The Lake Walk (Easy)
Route: Take the paved bike trail (Military Ridge State Trail) straight down to Cox Hollow Lake.
Distance: Approx. 1 mile (20-minute walk).
Highlights: Leads you directly to the beach, kayak rentals, and concessions. This is a surfaced, easy-access path perfect for a morning stroll. The Kiwanis Concessions at the beach is a great place to grab a Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Cone, Gatorade or a snack before you tackle more hiking.
Option 2: Mill Creek Loop (Moderate)
Route: Once you reach the lake, hop on the Mill Creek Trail (Follow the Purple markers).
Distance: 3.3-mile loop. (It brings you back to the top of Military Ridge State Trail)
Highlights: A beautiful winding path through meadows and wooded valleys. It offers the best "double-lake" views in the park (Cox Hollow and Twin Valley).
Option 3: The Waterfall Trek (Moderate)
This allows you to see the lake, the forest, and the waterfall without moving your car.
Step 1: Driftless to Cox Hollow Beach (1.2 miles) Cross the road from our driveway and follow the paved bike trail connector. It is a steady, scenic downhill walk (approx. 1.2 miles) that leads you directly to the Cox Hollow Beach and concessions area.
Step 2: The Campground Transit (0.8 miles) From the beach, follow the paved campground road north into the Cox Hollow Family Campground. You will walk through the campground loops for about 0.8 miles. Stay on the pavement until you reach the very back (north end) of the campground.
Step 3: The Gold Mine Trail (0.5 miles) At the north end of the campground, the pavement ends and the Gold Mine Trail begins. This is a 0.5-mile natural wooded path (Yellow markers). It is relatively flat and serves as the shortcut that connects the campground to the waterfall area.
Step 4: Stephens' Falls (The Reward) The Gold Mine Trail ends at the Stephens' Falls parking area. From here, you can take the stone steps down into the canyon to see the 20-foot waterfall.Total Distance: Approx. 2.5 miles one-way (5 miles round-trip).
Option 4: The Meadow Valley Loop (Scenic & Historic)
This is the perfect choice for hikers who want a longer hike, variety, wide-open views, and a bit of history.
Step 1: The Lake Walk (1.2 miles): Cross the road from our driveway and follow the paved bike trail down to the Cox Hollow Concessions stand.
Step 2: The Hub: Walk directly past the concessions stand to find the trailhead for the Meadow Valley Trail (Brown markers).
Step 3: The Hike (5.1-mile loop): This wide, natural-surface trail takes you through expansive prairies and high ridges. You can even take a short detour onto the Cave Trail to see the historic Thomas' Cave rock shelter.
The Experience: Keep an eye out! This is a multi-use trail, meaning it is wide and easy to follow, but you might share the path with horses. When you see a horse and rider, simply step to the side of the trail and give them a friendly "hello" so the horse knows you are there.
The Finish Line (7.5 miles total): Adding the walk to and from the retreat, this is a 7.5-mile journey. This is exactly why you booked a stay with a sauna. After "flushing out" your legs with a long trek, head straight to our Nordic Sauna
