Dodge County, WI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Posted hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Named parks
- Astico, Derge, Harnischfeger, Ledge, Nitschke Mounds
- Emergency closure
- Department, Sheriff or Sheriff's designee
- Curfew exceptions
- Registered campers, Derge boat launch, named trails
- First-offense forfeiture
- $5 to $1,000 (§ 30.04)
Summary
Dodge County sets park hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Astico, Derge, Harnischfeger, Ledge and Nitschke Mounds parks, and Section 19.05 makes it unlawful for anyone to be in a county park outside those posted hours, with limited exceptions.
(1)Park hours shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Astico Park, Derge Park, Harnischfeger Park, Ledge Park, and Nitschke Mounds Park. ... (4)It shall be unlawful for any person to be in any County park outside of park hours, unless otherwise posted, except registered campers in designated campsites, or persons using the Derge Park boat launch or shoreline for the sole purpose of fishing or boating, or persons using the Wild Goose State Trail, Glacial River Trail, or Gold Star Memorial Trail for the sole purpose of recreating by hiking, biking, snowmobiling, ATV riding, or other authorized trail activity.
Full Breakdown
02, including the Wild Goose State Trail, Glacial River Trail and Gold Star Memorial Trail. window. Subsection (3) gives the Department, the County Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee full authority to close any park or part of a park at any time in an emergency or when circumstances require it to protect the public or park facilities. Subsection (4) carves out exceptions to the after-hours ban for registered campers in designated campsites, people using the Derge Park boat launch or shoreline solely to fish or boat, and people using the Wild Goose State Trail, Glacial River Trail or Gold Star Memorial Trail solely for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, ATV riding or other authorized trail activity. Anyone else found in a county park outside posted hours is in violation regardless of intent. 08's arrest and inspection authority.
Violations & Fines
Being in a Dodge County park after posted hours violates Section 19.05(4). Section 19.07 lets the county revoke or deny park permits for up to a year on top of a forfeiture under the general penalty, Section 30.04: $5 to $1,000 for a first offense, $10 to $2,000 for a repeat violation within a year, plus court costs and statutory surcharges, enforceable by municipal citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Dodge County parks close?
Can Dodge County change the posted park hours?
Am I breaking curfew if I'm fishing at Derge Park after 8:30 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dodge County
Compare Dodge County to another location·View the Wisconsin curfew laws overview
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