RV camping near Alma, Wisconsin sits along the Upper Mississippi River Valley, where limestone bluffs rise 500 feet above the water. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, closing during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails and observation points: Whitewater State Park offers extensive trail networks with varied difficulty levels. A visitor noted, "I hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to."
River activities: Great River Harbor Campgrounds and Marina provides direct access to Mississippi River flowage areas for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The location on river backwaters creates calm areas for water recreation away from the main channel current.
Cycling opportunities: Peterson City RV Park connects directly to regional bike paths. One camper shared, "The campground is on the Root River bike trail which is beautiful, shaded, and paved. Note that depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance."
What campers like
Clean, modern bathrooms: Nelson's Landing RV Park receives consistent praise for its facilities. As one camper described, "The best part was the bathroom/shower house! There were 3-4 private shower/toilet/sink rooms with full locking doors. Everything is brand new and pristinely clean: white subway tile, white walls, white fixtures."
Family-friendly amenities: Stoney Creek RV Resort offers extensive recreation options. A reviewer mentioned, "This is an amazing place for families to spend time camping. There are so many different planned activities for both the children and the adults to participate in. They have gaga ball, a bounce pillow, an arcade, mini golf, laser tag, swimming pool, skate park, playground, basketball court, volleyball court."
Scenic views: Campers frequently mention the natural beauty surrounding Alma area campgrounds. One visitor to Nelson's Landing noted, "Beautiful view of the bluffs. Walking distance to several restaurants. Don't miss the Nelson Creamery."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks in the Alma region operate between April and November. One camper at Hidden Meadows RV Park shared, "We saw deer by the primitive camp areas and had nightly campfires in our fire ring. We will return the next time we are up in MN."
Train noise: Many campgrounds sit near active rail lines that follow the Mississippi River. A camper at Nelson's Landing RV Park observed, "Our stay on a Friday in August was quiet except for the loud trains running along the Mississippi. We heard two around 10 pm and either there were no more until the next morning, or we mercifully slept through them!"
Site spacing varies: Campgrounds differ significantly in how close sites are placed. According to one reviewer at Hidden Meadows RV Park, "Campsites are very closely spaced together. I was thankful no one was placed near our campsite to give us more room."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Whitewater State Park offers structured programs for children. A visitor shared, "We stayed here over Memorial weekend and had a blast--there were so many fun things to do! We hiked, took trout fishing lesson, sat at the beach and had relaxing evenings by the fire."
Campsite selection: Request sites away from main roads for safety with small children. At Peterson City RV Park, a camper noted, "The park and campground are right on the trail, so very handy. The park includes a nice playground, horse shoes, a shelter, and HUGE open spaces for your badminton, croquet, or other games."
Weekend planning: Several campgrounds offer special weekend activities. A Stoney Creek visitor mentioned, "The theme weeks are all fun and well planned out. You can even order fresh baked donuts on Saturday mornings."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Autumn Woods RV Park provides well-maintained spots. According to a recent visitor, "This campground has everything they say: nice spots that are level (pull through and back in), right off Hwy 90, quiet, and friendly staff."
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when selecting sites. A Peterson City RV Park camper noted, "I was amazed that sewer hookup is included, along with water and electricity, although my sewer hose was not long enough."
Parking surface types: Treasure Island RV Park offers different surface options. A reviewer explained, "It is basically a parking lot with mostly pull through sites. The last row consists of 'deluxe' back-in sites with a few trees. That being said, it is well maintained, the sites are level, the park was clean, and the utilities were in good working order."
