Winter Recreation
Governor Thompson State Park
Governor Thompson State Park offers many opportunities to get outside in the winter, including several miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and 5 miles of rolled multi-purpose trails for winter hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. Warm up in the warming shelter located at Woods Lake Day-Use Area, and bring the family to sled at the day-use area's sledding hill. Try your luck ice fishing on Woods Lake and access Caldron Falls from the boat landing.
Cross-Country Skiing
There are 7 miles of ski trails only for skiers, tracked for diagonal skiers and groomed for skate skiers. The trail has two loops and a shortcut trail. A state trail pass is required for all persons 16 years of age and older who are cross-country skiing. Hiking, snowshoeing, pets and bikes are not allowed on cross-country ski trails when the trails are snow-covered, with the exception of the Otter Trail, which is open to all users.
Granite Path/Whippoorwill Trail Segments (Skiing Only) 2.5 miles
Enjoy the groomed portions of Granite Path and Whippoorwill trails while skiing to see some of the park's rocky outcroppings. The best viewing of these rock features are between the trail intersections 10 and 12.
Otter Trail
The Otter Trail is a 1-mile looped trail that is groomed for cross-country skiing with an area alongside the groomed trail that hikers, snowshoers and those with pets are allowed to use. Non-skiers should keep off the groomed portion of the trail when snow-covered. The loop will bring you through a mix of pine plantation and hardwoods. The trail will come to the Woods Lake Day-Use Area, where a warming shelter, vault toilets and parking are available.
Multi-Use Trails
Over 5 miles of rolled trails for snowshoeing, hiking and skiing are available. These trails are packed flat and offer great scenic views. An additional 10 miles of ungroomed park trails are also open for snowshoeing, hiking and skiing. There are 10 miles of ungroomed park trails also available for all kinds of trail users.
Forest View/Whippoorwill Trail Segments (Multi-use Rolled) 2.15-mile Loop
All kinds of winter users can take this rolled trail loop that will take you by everything from open transmission corridors, lowland cedar swamps, upland oak hardwoods and dense Aspen regeneration.
Flowage Trail (Multi-use Rolled) 1.9-mile Linear Trail
This linear trail links Boat Landing 13 with Huber Lake, and connects to many of the other park trails.
Thunder Mountain, Sunset, Hill & North Trails (Multi-use Rolled) 2.5 Miles
Embark off of the Flowage Trail parking area and adventure to the trail system around Huber Lake. Enjoy more challenging topography through portions of the Hills and Sunset trails. Hikers can meander through various loops.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is welcomed on Woods Lake for panfish, or visitors can access Caldron Falls off of Boat Landing 13 at the end of the park for additional ice fishing opportunities. Please use caution. Park staff do not monitor ice conditions.