The Mississippi River bottomlands near Thomson sit at approximately 585 feet elevation in a humid continental climate zone. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with high humidity, while the area's lowland geography creates microhabitats ranging from marshy backwaters to hardwood forests. Camping options span from developed electrical sites with concrete pads to more primitive riverside spots where seasonal flooding impacts accessibility.
What to do
Hiking through wooded terrain: Multiple hiking trails at Morrison-Rockwood State Park offer moderate difficulty routes through diverse ecosystems. "We liked walking along the various loops among the trees. We did enjoy the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop," notes camper Stephanie S. Trails range from 0.25 to 1.5 miles and connect to the lake area.
Kayaking backwaters: Rock Creek County Marina and Campground provides direct access to Mississippi River backwaters with rental equipment available on-site. "They also have canoe/kayak rental, a visitor shop with food/drink and a mini museum of the local wildlife," writes Ryan. Equipment rentals cost $10-15/hour depending on boat type.
Wildlife observation: The eco-tourism center at Rock Creek offers guided nature programs focusing on river ecology. "Plenty of sites, boat landing, kayak/canoe rentals, naturalist programs, nature center with native animals including large fish aquarium," reports James M. The center provides seasonal programs from April through October.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers consistently appreciate the secluded feeling at several campgrounds in the area. "Our site was huge, flat and private - no trouble finding flat ground to pitch the tent," says Amy R. about Morrison-Rockwood State Park. Sites in the main camping loops provide natural separation through mature trees and understory vegetation.
Waterfront access: Spring Lake Campground offers direct water access for fishing and paddling. "The campground is very peaceful with spacious sites and a pretty view right on the water. The bike trail is within steps of your site," reports Kate. The shoreline provides gradual entry points suitable for launching small watercraft.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain above-average sanitation standards. "The (and I cannot emphasize this enough) CLEANEST campground bathrooms I've ever seen! I'm not squeamish and have been camping for years so my expectations for campground bathroom cleanliness is well calibrated," writes Stacie H. about Rock Creek. Most facilities undergo daily cleaning with additional attention during peak usage periods.
What you should know
Insect activity: Biting insects present significant challenges, especially after rain or during humid periods. "If there has been a lot of rain, or the River has been up a little, there will be an insect problem. There are biting flies that do not care if you are wearing repellant," warns Jeff G. about Thomson Causeway. Another camper, Mashael A., reports: "I should've taken the other reviews more seriously about the number of insects in this campsites - there were hundreds of thousands. We couldn't enjoy our stay."
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create periodic noise disturbance. "The one negative is noise from trains. One seems to go by every few hours," notes Terry A.T. about Riverview City Park. Tracks run parallel to the Mississippi River with heaviest traffic between 11pm-5am.
Flooding impacts: Riverside camping areas experience seasonal flooding that affects access and conditions. "Watch river levels for flooding, bugs can be bad since location is bottomland riverine forest," cautions James M. regarding Rock Creek. Spring flood stages typically occur March through May, with secondary high water possible during summer storm periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground-adjacent sites: Sites 55-64 at Morrison-Rockwood State Park circle a central playground area. "We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy," shares Ben W. These sites typically book 2-3 months in advance during summer weekends.
Interactive nature programs: Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers junior ranger activities focused on river ecology. "This might be one of our favorite campgrounds in the area. It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both," notes Scott M. Programs run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Educational centers: Rock Creek's nature center provides hands-on learning opportunities. "They also have an Eco Center with turtles, snakes, and an aquarium that our family really enjoyed," writes Chris F. The center operates Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm with guided programs at 1pm daily during summer.
Tips from RVers
Level concrete pads: Thomson Causeway provides reliable, flat camping surfaces ideal for larger rigs. "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi. The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups, but there are plenty of spigots scattered around the park," reports Matt P. Most sites can accommodate units up to 32 feet in length.
Dump station capacity: Rockwood State Park Campground offers efficient sanitation facilities. "Water, electricity and fairly clean bathrooms with showers. We tent camped for $20 a night," shares Briana B. The dump station accommodates multiple rigs with separate fresh water fill stations.
Site approach challenges: Pay attention to campsite layout when selecting a spot. "Our site was pretty flat, although it was a little tricky backing into it. They put the site number posts at the end of the pad near the road and our site had a tree on the other side, so we had to use the grass across the road to maneuver in and out," cautions Chris F. about Rock Creek County Marina. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Thomson post site dimensions online to help with pre-planning.
