| Governor Nelson State Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Summer meadow view. | |
   | |
| Location | 5140 County Highway M, Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°8′6″N 89°26′11″W / 43.13500°N 89.43639°W |
| Area | 422 acres (171 ha) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Named for | Gaylord Nelson |
| Governing body | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Governor Nelson State Park is a 422-acre (171 ha) Wisconsin state park located outside of Waunakee, Wisconsin in the town of Westport on the north shore of Lake Mendota. It is named for former Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson. On most days the Wisconsin State Capitol building can be seen in nearby Madison. Common activities include boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming. There is also a boat launch and a swimming area for pets. Away from the lake one can find restored prairie and savanna, effigy mounds, hiking trails and ski trails. Governor Nelson State Park is one of the few Wisconsin state parks that does not allow overnight camping.[citation needed]