Cox Hollow Lake Beach
Dodgeville, Wisconsin · on Cox Hollow Lake · Governor Dodge State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Cox Hollow Lake Beach
Cox Hollow Lake Beach is an official, designated swimming hole on Cox Hollow Lake inside Governor Dodge State Park near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR operates it as one of two places to swim in the park (the other swim beach is on Twin Valley Lake), with an adjacent bathhouse but no lifeguard on duty.
The beach sits on the north side of Cox Hollow Lake, a small, man-made lake within the Baraboo Hills-adjacent terrain of Governor Dodge State Park. The lake's shoreline is described by a first-hand paddling account as wooded with occasional boulders, with a large bluff (Pine Cliff) rising on the south side of the lake and abundant wildlife including herons, eagles, and painted turtles.
Swimming at Cox Hollow Lake Beach
Swimming takes place at a maintained, sandy DNR beach on the lake, with clear water reported by a visitor account. The beach has no lifeguard, so it suits confident swimmers and families willing to supervise themselves. It is reported to get very crowded, particularly because the beach itself is a short walk from the nearest parking.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: A parking lot serves the beach but is set back from the shore, requiring a short walk to reach the beach itself; a visitor account notes this arrangement combined with popularity makes the beach very crowded. The northwest boat landing area (separate from the swim beach) has its own parking and restrooms.
The hike in
- Time on foot
- a few minutes
Difficulty: easy - short, flat walk from parking lot to sand
Trailhead: Cox Hollow beach parking lot, Governor Dodge State Park (off WI-23, Dodgeville)
No formal named trail is required to reach the water; visitors park in the beach lot and walk a short, flat distance down to the sand. Exact footage isn't documented in sources found, but a first-hand paddling account describes it only as 'a little hike' from beach to lot. Separately, three longer hiking trails (Lakeview Trail 1.25 mi, Mill Creek Trail 3.3 mi, Meadow Valley Trail 5 mi) begin at the Cox Hollow beach picnic area for visitors who want to hike after swimming, but none of these are required to reach the swim beach itself.
The walk-in distance combined with the beach's popularity is called out by a paddler's trip report as a source of crowding.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy DNR beach with flat, shallow lake entry good for kids, but there is no lifeguard on duty, so parents need to supervise closely. Beach gets very crowded in season, which can make it harder to keep track of children.
Parking
Paid, $13 Wisconsin resident daily vehicle admission sticker / $16 non-resident daily (annual passes $28 resident / $50 non-resident; discounted senior rates available)
A parking lot serves the beach but sits back from the shoreline, requiring a short walk down to the sand; a first-hand paddler's account describes this plus popularity as making the beach very crowded. The fee is the standard Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker required park-wide, not a beach-specific charge.
Restrooms
Yes
A bathhouse is located adjacent to the Cox Hollow beach. Additional restrooms are available at the northwest boat landing on Cox Hollow Lake, a short drive from the beach.
Water clarity
Clear
A first-hand paddling account describes Cox Hollow Lake as a 'very clear lake,' though no other discussion of water clarity for this exact spot was found in this pass.
Hours
Beach and park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric motors only are permitted on Cox Hollow Lake (no gas motors); boat mooring is allowed May 1-Oct 31 in designated zones only.
A separate accessible/universal kayak launch (with transfer bench, handrails, and launch guides) exists at Twin Valley Lake, the park's other lake, not at Cox Hollow.
Rentals nearby
Rowboat and canoe rentals, run directly by the park
Concession stand at Cox Hollow Beach, Governor Dodge State Park · Daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, plus select spring and fall weekends
What regulars say
A first-hand paddler's trip report describes Cox Hollow Lake as very clear water with a wooded, boulder-strewn shoreline and a notable bluff (Pine Cliff) on the south side; it calls the swim beach very crowded due to its popularity and the short walk-in from the parking lot, and recommends the northwest boat landing (which has its own parking and restrooms) as a better put-in for paddling than fighting the beach crowds.
Cox Hollow Lake Beach: FAQ
Does Cox Hollow Lake Beach charge a fee?
A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter Governor Dodge State Park (specific dollar amount not found on pages reviewed).
Is Cox Hollow Lake Beach kid friendly?
Sandy DNR beach with flat, shallow lake entry good for kids, but there is no lifeguard on duty, so parents need to supervise closely. Beach gets very crowded in season, which can make it harder to keep track of children.
How hard is the hike to Cox Hollow Lake Beach?
A hike is required (a few minutes). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Cox Hollow Lake Beach?
A parking lot serves the beach but sits back from the shoreline, requiring a short walk down to the sand; a first-hand paddler's account describes this plus popularity as making the beach very crowded. The fee is the standard Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker required park-wide, not a beach-specific charge.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Cox Hollow Lake Beach?
A separate accessible/universal kayak launch (with transfer bench, handrails, and launch guides) exists at Twin Valley Lake, the park's other lake, not at Cox Hollow.
What are the rules at Cox Hollow Lake Beach?
Beach hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round, matching general park hours. No lifeguards are on duty at the beach. Only electric motors are permitted for boats on Cox Hollow Lake.
What water body is Cox Hollow Lake Beach on?
Cox Hollow Lake Beach is on Cox Hollow Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
