Stephens' Falls and Lost Canyon Loop Hiking Guide
Governor Dodge State Park, outside Dodgeville, is the Driftless Area at its most compact: the DNR describes over 5,000 acres of steep hills, bluffs and deep valleys, plus two lakes and a waterfall. That waterfall is Stephens' Falls, and the Lost Canyon Trail loops from the same parking area through the shallow, steep-walled ravine its stream has cut. Together they are the most-reviewed hike in the park on mapping apps, and an easy half day.
Permit: Governor Dodge State Park requires a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission pass: $13 daily for Wisconsin plates, $16 out of state; 12-month passes $28 and $50
Falls First, Then the Canyon
The DNR lists the Stephens' Falls Trail at 0.5 miles and the Lost Canyon Trail as a 3-mile loop reached from the Stephens' Falls area; mapping apps put the combined Lost Canyon loop at about 3.4 miles with roughly 400 feet of gain. Start with the falls: the trail passes rock outcrops and ferns, then drops on stone steps to the base. Lost Canyon then follows the stream's ravine before climbing back out through woods to the lot.
Steps, Grades and Mud
The DNR rates the falls trail moderate because of the stone steps and uneven ground, and warns that Lost Canyon has several steep grades. Neither is technical, but the canyon floor stays damp, and spring and post-storm mud is common. If anyone in your group can't manage steps, a paved 0.25-mile accessible route with its own accessible parking leads to a scenic overlook of the falls.
Winter Belongs to Skiers
Lost Canyon is one of four trails the park grooms for cross-country skiing when conditions allow, and the DNR does not allow snowshoeing on ski trails; winter hiking is limited to the Pine Cliff and Uplands trails. That makes this loop a spring-through-fall hike. In winter, the Uplands Trail is the park's suggested route for hiking or snowshoeing with a dog.
Dogs, Passes and Hours
Leashed pets are allowed on Governor Dodge trails, on a leash no longer than 8 feet, but not in picnic areas, beaches, shelters or buildings; the park has a pet swim area beside the Cox Hollow beach. Every vehicle needs a state park admission pass. The park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
Construction This Fall
The DNR has road, retaining wall and campground water system work underway at Governor Dodge through fall 2026, affecting the Twin Valley, group and equestrian campgrounds, the Cox Hollow picnic area and boat landing, and the Enee Point trailhead and parking. None of the notices mention the Stephens' Falls area, but expect detours or flaggers on park roads on the way in.
Hiking tips for Stephens' Falls and Lost Canyon Loop
- Do the falls first while your legs are fresh for the stone steps down to the base.
- Use the paved 0.25-mile route to the overlook if someone in your group can't handle steps.
- Plan this loop for spring through fall; Lost Canyon is a groomed ski trail in winter.
- Wear shoes that can handle mud on the canyon floor after rain.
- Allow extra time on park roads while construction continues through fall 2026.
Nearby trails to explore
- Picnic Point Marsh Loop
- Gibraltar Rock Trail
- Devil's Lake West Bluff Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Stephens' Falls and Lost Canyon are the Driftless Area in one tidy loop. Use TrailMates to find Madison hikers heading to Governor Dodge. Download the TrailMates app to connect.