Governor Dodge State Park covers more than 5,000 acres. Steep hills, rock cliffs and deep valleys shape its landscape, complemented by two lakes and a waterfall. Nature in Iowa County is not just about grand vistas: prairie, pine relicts and distinctive rock habitats are also among the area’s discoveries.
Rock, Water and Habitats
The 0.5-mile Stephens’ Falls Trail runs through rock formations, lush ferns and a stream in Governor Dodge State Park. Above the waterfall, there is a paved overlook. The trail connects several landscape features along a manageable route, though its length alone does not indicate the difficulty level.
Avoca Prairie and Savanna contains the largest natural tallgrass prairie east of the Mississippi. At Pine Cliff State Natural Area, all three pine species native to Wisconsin grow together on sandstone cliffs and adjoining slopes: red pine, eastern white pine and jack pine. The Pine Cliff Trail runs through the area. Here, two different natural features sit side by side: open prairie and pines growing on rocky ground.
Ridgeway Pine Relict comprises eight pine relicts among high sandstone cliffs, rock outcrops, shallow caves and rock shelters. The walking routes maintained by Friends of Ridgeway Pines lead to one of the pine relicts and other points of interest. There are no formally maintained hiking trails there. Blackhawk Lake offers opportunities for fishing and waterfowl hunting.
Mining History and Stages
European settlers arrived in Mineral Point around 1827. By the early 20th century, the town had become a destination for zinc and lead mining. Pendarvis offers another glimpse into this era: the site consists of six historic cottages built of stone or of stone and wood. Cornish immigrants built them in the 1840s during the lead-mining boom in the Wisconsin Territory.
Alex Jordan opened The House on the Rock to the public in 1960. Its exhibits include more than 200 ship model displays and a Titanic exhibit; individual displays may change. The Iowa County Historical Museum invites visitors to explore its archives and learn about the region’s history.
Theater lovers also have a specific place to visit. American Players Theatre includes the Hill Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater with 1,075 seats, and the Touchstone Theatre, an indoor theater with 200 seats. A description published in 2026 lists nine plays performed from June to November in a rotating repertory. Check the current schedule before your visit.
Markets, Festivals and Roads
The Mineral Point Market takes place every Saturday morning from May through October at Water Tower Park. Check the specific dates before your trip. The Iowa County Fair takes place every Labor Day weekend at 900 Fair Street in Mineral Point; exact dates vary from year to year.
Rustic Road 75 runs through the Welsh Settlement in Iowa County. The landscape there offers wildflowers and wildlife in every season. For a different perspective on the region, the 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail connects Dodgeville and Madison via a military route dating to 1855. Cycles Southwest Wisconsin comprises 28 road cycling routes across three counties. Mineral Point is listed as a location in Iowa County. Details about the routes may be updated.
You can choose which themes to prioritize based on your own interests: waterfalls and rock formations in the state park, prairie and pine habitats, or mining history and theater. As you plan your trip, you can decide which discoveries you want to put at the center of your visit.
Discover more destinations: Dodgeville, Livingston, Cobb, Mineral Point, Kenosha County, Waupaca County, Shawano County, Winnebago.
For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.
