The Root River area near Rushford offers camping across a diverse landscape marked by dramatic limestone bluffs and valleys. Terrain in this driftless region ranges from 650 to 1300 feet elevation, creating distinctive microclimates where temperatures in valleys can be 5-10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Campgrounds generally operate from mid-April through mid-October, though specific dates vary.
What to do
Tubing on Root River: The Old Barn Resort offers tubing trips with convenient shuttle service. "They offer kayak, canoe and tube rentals and shuttles. They also have bike rentals," notes one visitor who called it their "favorite camping spot."
Hiking Cushon's Peak: Located outside Houston, this trail offers both easy and challenging sections. "I've hiked all over the bluff known as Cushon's Peak and it has easy parts and challenging areas. And although the entire vertical climb is probably going to be less than an hour if you don't take breaks, it will challenge all," shares a Cushons Peak Campground visitor.
Trout fishing: Beaver Creek Valley offers accessible fishing opportunities for beginners. "Small quiet campground with sites that back up to the creek. Very easy walking trail winding through the park and stream. An easy way to trout fish and enjoy the park," notes a Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground visitor.
Biking the Root River Trail: The trail system runs directly through several campgrounds. "Located right on the Root River Trail System which we liked for biking and running," explains one visitor to The Old Barn Resort, highlighting the accessibility of this popular 42-mile paved trail.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Money Creek Haven features a man-made lake for swimming. "The lake is murky and there are a lot of frogs, but that's camping. There are chairs and a shaded area available," notes a Money Creek Haven visitor.
Private riverside sites: Eagle Cliff Campground offers premium sites along the water. "We stayed right on the water. Sites are close together but we reserved a few to have some space," explains one camper, while another mentions "the Root River goes right alongside most of the campsites which creates a really peaceful space."
Cart-in camping: For those seeking more seclusion, Great River Bluffs offers hike-in sites. "Camped at the furthest out hike-in... Nice site on a small quite creek. Good space between you and the next campsite so you felt privacy," shares a Great River Bluffs State Park Campground visitor.
Minimal mosquitoes: Whitewater State Park has fewer insects than many Minnesota camping areas. "We were surprised that there were minimal mosquitoes at Whitewater. We have always enjoyed hiking here too," shares one visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited or no connectivity. "The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it," warns a Beaver Creek Valley camper.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise despite natural settings. "Highway noise from the highway running along the river and from I-90 (while not really noticeable during the day) is ridiculously loud at night," reports one Great River Bluffs visitor.
Water crossings: Some campgrounds require driving through water to reach certain sites. "Be warned that in order to get to sites #27 through #37 you have to drive through some water. In September it was only about 8"," explains a Beaver Creek Valley visitor.
Strict quiet hours: Some campgrounds strictly enforce noise regulations. "They are sticklers on the quiet time after 10 or 11pm. My friends and I have been given warnings about being quiet, so it's definitely more of a family campground," notes a visitor to Eagle Cliff Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds: Houston Nature Center offers unique play spaces beyond standard equipment. "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more," describes a Houston Nature Center visitor.
Covered pool options: The Old Barn Resort provides swimming regardless of weather. "It has an indoor/outdoor heated pool, a big barn with a restaurant and bar, and clean restroom and shower facilities," notes one visitor, while another adds it's "great for families - there's a covered pool, golf course, right on the bike trail, near Root River, and great restaurant."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer interactive learning experiences. One visitor noted that on a Saturday at Perrot State Park, "they had a heritage camp set up to learn about how things were done in the past," providing historical context for young campers.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds along the river offer opportunities to spot various creatures. "We saw a cardinal and 3 hummingbirds because they came to hang out right in our campsite! The fireflies at night were an added bonus!" shares a Great River Bluffs visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy. "The sites are the smallest I've ever seen, everyone coming in remarked on how small they are. No privacy, the sites are very close together," cautions a Beaver Creek Valley visitor.
Full hookup options: Peterson City RV Park offers comprehensive connections. "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup," explains a Peterson City RV Park visitor.
Speed limits: Some campgrounds strictly enforce driving regulations. "Don't speed (5 mph limit!) and they are serious!" warns an Eagle Cliff visitor who appreciated the "nice and quiet" atmosphere maintained by such rules.
Electrical connection distances: At some campgrounds, hookups may require extra cords. "Note that depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance," advises a Peterson City RV Park visitor regarding preparation for arrival.
