That Wisconsin has a state park named after Gov. Gaylord Nelson is no surprise. He was a defining and inspiring voice in the environmental movement in the United States, and paying homage to him with a park in his home state is wonderfully appropriate.

That the park, located just minutes north of Madison and Middleton, had just a few visitors on a mostly sunny recent Saturday afternoon, however, is more surprising. Its features -- including a beach on Lake Mendota, a boat launch, picnic areas, and forest and prairie trails -- give it the makings to be a mecca for people in Madison and other area communities looking for a convenient place for outdoor recreation.

Indeed, there are times when Governor Nelson State Park is crowded, said Brad Bates, who has been a ranger at the park for almost three years. When the forecast says there's little chance of rain, the boat launch -- one of the largest on Lake Mendota -- can have vehicles lined up. During Madison's Rhythm & Booms fireworks display for the Fourth of July, the park's beach and boat launch offer practically a front-row vantage point.

"It is used and loved by those people that do come out and a few more come each year, but it's just not overrun," Bates said. "It's north of everything, and for those people that come here, they cherish the fact that they don't have an overpopulated experience."

But while the park is in a somewhat secluded area in the town of Westport on Mendota's northwest shore, it is closer to Madison than parks that may be more familiar to many people, such as Devil's Lake or Blue Mounds.

"From a state park perspective, I actually don't think it's out of the way," said Steve Edward, a visitor from Milwaukee. He was at Governor Nelson with Michelle Miller of Madison and Rook, his very happy dog who had been swimming in the lake. They visit the park occasionally in part because of its dog-swimming area and because of the 500-foot sand beach.

The beach area can contend with floating blue-green algae, but it's one of the few sand beaches on the lake, and it's marked with buoys for swimming. No lifeguards are on duty.

The 422-acre park, with its views of Madison and the Capitol, also has picnic areas under shady trees, a playground, places to fish and a fish-cleaning facility. Picnic areas have grills or you can bring your own. Open fires are not allowed anywhere in the park. And no trash receptacles are available. Visitors have to take their garbage with them, though trash bags are offered.

Its 8.4 miles of trails on four paths cross through several ecological communities, including oak woodland, savannah, and restored prairies. Wildflowers and animals are abundant, but picking flowers or other plants is not allowed. A scenic overlook along one of the paths provides a view of Lake Mendota.

"I just like to come out here sometimes to get a little exercise and fresh air, and get a dose of nature," said Jim Peterson of Madison, who was walking on the park's Woodland Trail. He tries to visit the park during all four seasons, he said. The walking can be enjoyable since most trails are relatively flat and well maintained, though a few slopes are steep.

The trails are wide and are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter, and at that time, hiking is not allowed. When the lake freezes, skiers have been known to ski across it from Madison, Bates said.

The park also features several effigy and conical Indian mounds, including a 358-foot panther effigy mound. New state regulations will help preserve mounds on all state land.

The park is only for day use, meaning there is no overnight camping available. That is one reason visitors can be few at times, Bates said.

But the park is attracting more people, in part due to such things as a new program that brings live folk music on Friday nights. It also hosted its first Capitol View Triathlon in June.

Bates said the park isn't making a special effort to advertise but he expects usage to continue to rise. And he said it's unique in that it's a state park so close to urban areas.

"This kind of replaces people's back 40 experience," he said. "It gives people the chance to get away without having to travel too far."

JUST THE FACTS

Facts about Governor Nelson State Park:

• It's open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

• An admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Stickers are available at the park office.

• Information is available at 608-831-3005 or at www.dnr.wi.us