Best Campgrounds near La Crescent, MN

Are you in need of a campground near La Crescent, MN? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are La Crescent campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Minnesota camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near La Crescent, Minnesota (146)

    1. Great River Bluffs State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Dakota, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 643-6849

    "I enjoy camping away from the hub bub of the family campground and opting for the backpack or cart in sites. Luckily, Great River Bluffs has some of the nicest cart ins I have encountered."

    "What a beautiful & peaceful gem of a place in south eastern Minnesota!"

    2. Perrot State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Trempealeau, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 534-6409

    "There is a rail line that runs along between the Mississippi and the park edge, campsites are away from this but still can be heard as well as motor boats on the River."

    "The nice little town of trempealeau is close by with a cool old hotel and some fun bars.

    Highly recommended."

    3. Pettibone Resort

    12 Reviews
    La Crescent, WI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 782-5858

    $28 - $30 / night

    "We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. There is plenty of shade. The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites."

    "We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. There is plenty of shade. The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites."

    4. Goose Island

    14 Reviews
    La Crosse, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 788-7018

    $22 - $34 / night

    "Goose Island has very friendly staff and a nice little camp supply store at the entrance where you can also purchase firewood in two sizes of tubes. You’ll need a way to haul the wood to your site."

    "The sites are close together near the entrance. The spread out as you get deeper into the park. Beautiful grounds. Good communication from the camp rangers when we had to switch sites."

    5. Veterans Memorial Park & Campground

    8 Reviews
    Onalaska, WI
    10 miles
    +1 (608) 789-8599

    "Vet's Park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east and it directly to La Crosse Great River Trail to the northwest."

    "Great location!"

    6. Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Caledonia, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 724-2107

    "The park has a lot of very well maintained trails. The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley."

    "Water, garbage and recycling (separated) were all close by. There as no cell signal, so we went to town for that. The park has nice trails that are pretty well marked."

    7. Neshonoc Lakeside

    9 Reviews
    Bangor, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "It was spacious and very well kept, with a great view of the lake. Wry easy to back in and get set up, almost level and took very little adjustment to get our spot in order."

    "They are pretty open, so you’re close to you neighbors and little shade or privacy. All RVs here, some tents as overflow for kiddos whose parents are staying in the RV."

    8. Frickson Family Farms LLC

    3 Reviews
    Trempealeau, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 429-0375

    $30 / night

    "Great Harvest Host location super nice family."

    "We pulled in from a long driving day .we were greeted by our host . She was very friendly and explained where the site was . Had a great night sleep . This is a good over night stop ."

    9. Houston Nature Center

    5 Reviews
    Houston, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 896-4668

    "Right at the end of the root river state trail. Singing toads at night. Very flat. Sites are spread out. Within walking distance to grocery store."

    "The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail."

    10. Shady Rest Acres

    2 Reviews
    Hokah, MN
    10 miles

    $40 - $120 / night

    "If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. "

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Recent Reviews near La Crescent, MN

574 Reviews of 146 La Crescent Campgrounds


  • Cynthia K.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Oakdale KOA

    Shady trees

    KOA Journey. We didn't feel like tackling Illinois at the end of the day, so we planned a stop here. 

    Check in was pleasant. We were in the back by the bathroom, which was my request. Lots of shady trees. This is a well established campground. As others have noted there is Interstate noise. It's easy on- easy off though.

     There's a Loves nearby.

  • Deb M.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Blackhawk Park

    Another nice COE campground

    Nice mix of sites at this park, many with electric hookups. There’s also lots of unnumbered sites FCFS sites around the park. Only 1 bathroom/shower building, and lots of vault toilets. The west loop sites (where we camped) were a bit close together, but large and level. Even on a busy Labor Day weekend, the campground was quiet and peaceful. AT&T service was good, and T-Mobile service was very spotty. There’s a dump station and potable water on site. We will definitely be back.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Reicks Lake Park

    Didn’t stay the night

    Based on picture, we planed to stay at this campsite. It is right in the side of the highway, so too much noise and traffic for us. The picture this site provides is actually the other side of highway, over a hill, so you can’t see it from campsite. but there’s a view of marshlands. It’s $20, have showers and toilets. There’s a small playground for kids. We came across people That said they camp there all the time and love it.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Castle Mound Campground — Black River State Forest

    Really beautiful state campground

    Beautiful, clean, peaceful, wooded campground. Its mid-week and there's only a few other campers here. Most are super respectful with the exception of one group that has the occasional outburst but they were mostly quiet otherwise. We saw some bunnies, birds and raccoons. Heard squirrels, owls and other birds. Vault toilets throughout the campground and one building with showers and flush toilets near the visitor center with plenty of parking. Water fill and dump station located at the front near the visitor station as well. We got here around 6pm yesterday and no one was at the check in so we used the kiosk to get the park pass. A bit steep for out of state visitors @ $16 but they seem to keep the park in great shape so for once it was worth it. Lots of space and shade in all spots. Many sites with electric and some without. Plenty of spots can accommodate mid-large campers. Its about half and half pull-thru or back-in/pull-in. We have a 26 foot travel trailer and had no issues. Mostly level spots as well. A lot of trees are close to the road and made it slightly challenging to maneuver the road but nothing too crazy...just pay attention if you have a larger camper. We dont make it though wisconsin a lot but we'd definitely come back here again. Easy and quick to get to from 94 and less than a mile from Walmart. Plenty of stores/restaurants nearby. Really the only complaint besides the high entrance fee for out of state is that it is close to the town and you can definitely hear traffic. It's not too bad considering the surrounding woods definitely deaden the noise. Wish we could have stayed longer to explore the park better.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

    Cottontail lane

    We hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies! The site was of good size, dark and quiet. The shower house was close and clean.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    great camping

    Stayed in site 71 for 3 nights. Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level.  

    The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom.   Showers were clean.

    Lots of hiking - down to historic village and back is about 4.5 miles round trip.  

    If you get the chance, go do the the 1 hour walking tour of Mystery Cave - well worth the entry fee.  if you go on weekend probably need to make reservations. 

    and finally need to check out Wykoff - and see Ed's Museum.  Usually open on weekends.  We went over during the week and wasn't open but you can get view inside from the street.

    TV was able to pick up about 15 stations - but there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile.   Wifi down at the ranger office.

  • Derek G.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Oakdale KOA

    KOA Oakdale

    The park rangers are very kind and extremely helpful. This park is very well maintained with bathrooms and showers that were up kept as well as my own home. Very nice place

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Very Nice

    Very nice City owned facility . City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town


Guide to La Crescent

Camping near La Crescent, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Wyalusing State Park Campground. Campers rave about the “great hiking trails” and “amazing sunsets” that make for a perfect day outdoors.
  • Kayaking and Canoeing: The backwaters of the Mississippi River are accessible from Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park. One visitor mentioned, “Awesome campground with lots of hiking trails, and access to backwaters of Mississippi.”
  • Wildlife Watching: At Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground, you can enjoy the sights of local wildlife. A camper noted, “We saw turtles, bald eagles, and lots of other wildlife.”

What campers like:

  • Privacy and Space: Campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at Perrot State Park Campground. One review highlighted, “The sites are well spaced and well separated by trees.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors to Minnesota Whitewater State Park praised the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A camper mentioned, “Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into.”
  • Beautiful Views: Campers love the stunning views at Pikes Peak State Park Campground. One reviewer said, “Absolutely BEAUTIFUL overlooks above the great Mississippi River!”

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially at Perrot State Park Campground. One camper warned, “Had to pull out the heavy-duty spray right out of the car.”
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground, have little to no cell coverage. A visitor noted, “There is no cell phone service.”
  • Reservation Fees: Some campers find the fees at Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground a bit high. One review mentioned, “Brought us to $51 for the stay... but I've stayed in better places for less.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby swimming areas, like Minnesota Whitewater State Park. A family camper shared, “Swimming beach about half a mile from campground.”
  • Space for Tents: Choose sites that can accommodate multiple tents, such as those at Great River Bluffs State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “Each site could comfortably hold 3 to 4 tents.”
  • Plan for Rain: Be ready for changing weather. A camper at Eagle Cliff Campground noted, “Very clean and quiet,” which is great for families looking for a peaceful spot.

Tips from RVers:

Camping near La Crescent, Minnesota, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, kayaking, or just enjoying the views, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does camping cost in the La Crescent area?

Camping costs around La Crescent vary by amenities and location. At Sylvan City Park, showers require quarters (4 quarters for 5 minutes), indicating reasonable base rates. The Old Barn Resort offers full hook-up sites at moderate prices, with additional value from amenities like heated pools and restaurant access. State parks in the region typically charge $15-30 per night for standard sites, with possible additional vehicle fees. Private campgrounds generally range from $25-45 for basic sites and $35-60 for those with hookups. Always check for seasonal pricing differences.

Where are the best campgrounds near La Crescent, MN?

Several excellent campgrounds surround La Crescent. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park stands out with clean facilities, free showers, and spacious sites plus outstanding hiking trails. For biking enthusiasts, Veterans Memorial Park & Campground offers direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail with connections to multiple trail systems. Other notable options include Forestville Mystery Cave State Park with its lush forests and cave tours, and Beaver Creek Valley State Park near Caledonia, known for its scenic beauty and trout streams.

What tent camping options are available near La Crescent?

Tent campers have diverse options near La Crescent. Chushons Peak Campground offers tent camping alongside the Root River with beach access and excellent biking opportunities on the Root River State Trail. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park provides tent sites in a lush green forest with oak and maple trees creating natural canopies. Sylvan City Park features numerous tent sites around the perimeter with easy access to downtown. Whitewater State Park has spacious tent sites and a few walk-in options that offer more seclusion but fill quickly. Most locations provide basic amenities like drinking water and restroom facilities.