Twin Valley Lake Beach
Dodgeville, Wisconsin · on Twin Valley Lake · Governor Dodge State Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $13 / annual
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Twin Valley Lake Beach
Twin Valley Lake Beach is an official swimming beach on the dammed Twin Valley Lake inside Governor Dodge State Park, near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR designates it as one of two developed swim beaches in the park, complete with a bathhouse, and it also has an ADA-accessible kayak launch.
The beach sits on Twin Valley Lake, one of two impounded lakes within Governor Dodge State Park's 5,270-acre Driftless Area landscape of oak-hickory forest and sandstone bluffs (per DNR and Wikipedia). The park also contains a separate named waterfall, Stephen's Falls, elsewhere on the property.
Swimming at Twin Valley Lake Beach
This is a developed, DNR-managed lake beach rather than a natural swimming hole in the creek/river sense: swimmers use a designated beach area with a bathhouse, on a lake formed by a dam. The DNR states beaches at both Twin Valley and Cox Hollow Lakes are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. but are unguarded (no lifeguards on duty), so it suits confident, self-supervised swimmers and families willing to watch their own kids.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, developed DNR swim beach with a bathhouse, no hike is required to reach the water. No parking-lot-to-beach walk time was published, but it is presumably a short walk typical of developed park beaches.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It is a developed, DNR-graded lake swim beach (not a river/cliff site) with a bathhouse, which typically means a gradual sand/turf entry suitable for young kids, but the DNR explicitly states there are no lifeguards on duty, so parents need to supervise directly rather than rely on staff.
Parking
Paid, Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker required (WI resident daily $13/annual $28; non-resident daily $16/annual $50)
DNR pages confirm a paid vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the park and reach the beach, but no page gives the parking lot's size, surface, or exact location relative to the beach; assume there is a dedicated lot since this is a developed, bathhouse-equipped beach, but this could not be verified.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse at the Twin Valley Lake beach itself (per WI DNR water recreation page). Exact building layout, flush vs. vault toilets, and changing-room specifics were not published on the DNR site and could not be confirmed.
Hours
Beach/swimming areas at Twin Valley Lake open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily (same as general park hours), per WI DNR.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric motors only permitted on Twin Valley Lake; gas outboard motors are prohibited (per WI DNR water recreation page). Boat mooring is allowed only in designated areas, seasonally May 1-Oct 31.
Twin Valley Lake has a boat launching ramp and a dedicated ADA-accessible kayak launch (transfer bench, handrails, launch guides/rollers) called out specifically by DNR, making it notably easier for paddlers with mobility limitations than the average lake launch. Paddleboard use is not explicitly mentioned by DNR either way, so it is left off the confirmed list rather than assumed.
Rentals nearby
Cox Hollow Beach concession (operated by Dodgeville Kiwanis Club)
Rowboat and canoe rentals, plus snacks/refreshments (soda, coffee, ice cream, pizza, ice, charcoal, T-shirts)
Cox Hollow Lake beach, the park's other developed lake, a separate body of water from Twin Valley Lake but within the same Governor Dodge State Park property · Daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with some spring/fall weekend availability
Backstory
Governor Dodge State Park was established in 1948 and named for Henry Dodge, the first governor of the Wisconsin Territory (per Wikipedia).
Twin Valley Lake Beach: FAQ
Does Twin Valley Lake Beach charge a fee?
Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker required to enter: WI resident daily $13 / annual $28 (senior 65+ daily $3 / annual $13); non-resident daily $16 / annual $50 (rates per WI DNR as of Aug 2025).
Is Twin Valley Lake Beach kid friendly?
It is a developed, DNR-graded lake swim beach (not a river/cliff site) with a bathhouse, which typically means a gradual sand/turf entry suitable for young kids, but the DNR explicitly states there are no lifeguards on duty, so parents need to supervise directly rather than rely on staff.
Do I need to hike to reach Twin Valley Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Twin Valley Lake Beach?
DNR pages confirm a paid vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the park and reach the beach, but no page gives the parking lot's size, surface, or exact location relative to the beach; assume there is a dedicated lot since this is a developed, bathhouse-equipped beach, but this could not be verified.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Twin Valley Lake Beach?
Twin Valley Lake has a boat launching ramp and a dedicated ADA-accessible kayak launch (transfer bench, handrails, launch guides/rollers) called out specifically by DNR, making it notably easier for paddlers with mobility limitations than the average lake launch. Paddleboard use is not explicitly mentioned by DNR either way, so it is left off the confirmed list rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit Twin Valley Lake Beach?
Summer; DNR notes boat/canoe rentals at the park's concession run daily Memorial Day through Labor Day and on spring/fall weekends, implying peak swim season is the same window.
What are the rules at Twin Valley Lake Beach?
No lifeguards on duty at the beach; electric motors only permitted on the lake (gas motors prohibited).
What water body is Twin Valley Lake Beach on?
Twin Valley Lake Beach is on Twin Valley Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
