Best Tent Camping near Alma, WI

The Mississippi River bluffs surrounding Alma, Wisconsin provide several tent camping options within a short drive. Great River Harbor Campgrounds and Marina in Alma offers tent sites from May to October along the river's edge. Just 15 miles south, Island Campground at Merrick State Park in Fountain City features walk-in tent sites with river access. Pool 4, Riecks Lake Park provides basic tent-only sites with minimal amenities for those seeking primitive tent camping experiences. Across the river in Minnesota, several additional tent campgrounds offer varied experiences within 30-45 minutes of Alma.

Most tent campsites in the region feature level dirt or grass pads with nearby picnic tables and fire rings. Walk-in tent sites at Merrick State Park require campers to park in designated lots and carry gear a short distance to their sites. Drinking water is available at most established campgrounds, though primitive sites may require bringing your own supply. Toilet facilities range from modern restrooms with showers at larger campgrounds to basic vault toilets at smaller sites. Reservations are recommended for weekend camping during summer months, particularly at Hok-Si-La City Park and Whitewater State Park's cart-in sites, which are popular with tent campers seeking vehicle-free camping areas.

The wooded sites at Hok-Si-La City Park provide excellent tent camping experiences. According to reviews, "the group sites are spacious and well spaced out, you definitely don't feel like you are on top of each other." The park maintains a tent-only policy that creates a quieter atmosphere than mixed-use campgrounds. At Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground in Whitewater State Park, campers noted that "the sites were quiet, woodsy and secluded" with "a fairly short walk back to the parking lot, bathrooms, and water." Fall brings spectacular colors to the bluff country surrounding Alma, making September and October ideal for backcountry tent camping when temperatures are moderate and insects are fewer. Many tent sites offer views of water features, from the Mississippi River to smaller streams and lakes.

Best Tent Sites Near Alma, Wisconsin (13)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Alma, WI

422 Reviews of 13 Alma Campgrounds


  • Kelly S.
    May. 2, 2018

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Early Season Experience

    We spent a single night here at site 37. The site was great, the privacy was okay, and the campground itself was slightly above average.

    Our site was huge. It could have easily accommodated an RV and a tent. There was a campfire ring and picnic table there like each site, but ours also had a tent pad and a very long parking spot. We were tent camping. This was the first tent pad I have ever been able to stake down without bending or breaking stakes and needing a mallet. The site was also close to a few of the trailheads. See pictures. Would recommend site 37 any day.

    The privacy was nonexistent because there were no leaves on the trees yet. In the summer, that might change. There are trees between sites.

    The campground itself was okay. The ranger and lady in the office when we stopped in were a little strange, but helpful. They were out of wood, but there is a DNR certified seller not a mile down the road- you can get more wood for cheaper there anyway. In MN, you need to get your firewood from the state park you are at or a certified seller in the same county to prevent the spread of tree pests and disease. The ranger can and will stop at your site and ask to see your seller card from the wood. The rest of the campground was nice. Many water spigots were still frozen, but there isn't much to be done about that. Overall, I would definitely recommend this campground!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2025

    Highland Ridge

    Beautiful but buggy!

    General: Smallish (38 sites plus four walk-in sites) Army Corps of Engineers campground. Some (see below) have electric hookups but no water or sewer hookups, however, there is a dump station. 

    Site Quality: All sites are gravel/dirt (except for the ADA-accessible site), and most are very generous in size. Our site (7) sloped down but leveled out with plenty of room for our campervan at the bottom. All sites are wooded with trees providing separation/privacy between sites. Completing the site are a metal picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook. 

    Bath/Shower House: Sites 28-38 only have vault toilets (but you could trek to the other campground loop). Sites 1—27 have flush toilets and showers. They were very clean, and I especially appreciated the fact that they were cleaned daily before 6 am, a shout out to the camp host! The shower was great– warm water and great flow, although our friends (who arrived two days before we did) had cold showers when the campground was full.

    Activities: Several short hiking trails. I give this campground 4 stars instead of 5 because Eau Galle Reservoir (Lake George) is about a 10-minute drive from the campground. Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds are located right on the water. There are no amenities (rentals, etc.) offered at the lake but it is small and beautiful, and we enjoyed a peaceful paddle. We saw a couple of people fishing on the lake and there is a small swimming area. At the campground, there was an interpretive center, but it was locked when we were there. There is also a nice, modern playground. 

    Aside from the plentiful bugs (in August), we enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground!

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Shady, quiet campground in the woods with short hiking opportunities

    Campground Design

    I like that it's split into 4 small loops (1-11, 12-28, 29-38 and 39-59). There shouldn't be much traffic in any one loop. It's a very shady campground - lots of trees so it's quite dark at night with no stargazing from your site.

    Our site #42 was right next to #40 and there's not much privacy between the 2 sites. There's a lot more distance and privacy between #42 and #44. In general, sites are fairly close together but there are some trees in between.

    I thought we might be closer to the Mississippi River, but the campground is located above the river (called Pepin Lake at this wide point). You can hike down to the river; the steep descent makes the short hike more interesting. There are Lower and Upper Bluff trails as well as other short, connected trails throughout the park. (See photo of trail map.)

    Tent Campers

    There are 6 'cart in' sites, but they are about 1/2 mile away from the main campground and on the other side of the road. Park, put your gear in a cart, and walk about 1/4 mile to your site (C1 through C6). 

    Special rule for these sites: You have to pay $2 to use the showers at the main campground! Your camping rate is $15 instead of $23 for a non-electric site. If a cart in site doesn't appeal to you, the regular sites are good for tents; many have tent pads. There are also a couple backpacker sites.

    Amenities

    • Picnic table and fire ring on each site. Some sites have a tent pad. The 'rule of 3' says you can have 3 'units' on a site - 2 tents + vehicle, RV + rent +vehicle,... - One restroom with flush toilets, sinks and showers (old but no temperature control) located near the road in front of the loop with sites 12-28. We were in the last loop on site 42, and there was a pit toilet that smelled okay but had lots of flies.

    • Some electric sites ($31) in the first 2 loops; the map (see photo) has an 'e' next to the site number and so does the post at the site.

    • Dump station that includes a potable water filling station. There are water spigots in the camping areas.

    • Trash dumpsters and recycle bins.

    Extra fees

    • There's a $7 reservation fee for online or phone reservations, and the site posts indicate you need to 'reserve' the site before you set up camp.  You avoid that fee by showing up without a reservation when the office is open, but I wouldn't do that on a Friday or Saturday in the summer. You can always get a sense of whether showing up without a reservation is feasible by checking availability online. It also looks like you avoid the fee if you reserve online on the day you stay.

    • $7 entry fee per day is standard in MN parks. A $35 pass is good for 12 months.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Nice state park

    Stayed here for a couple nights on a mini state park road trip. Nice place, like most of the MN state parks. Spotty cell service. Hiked a trail with lots of steps. Fire ring and picnic table are provided at each site. Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into and offered some tree cover for shade during certain times of the day. Was unable to hang hammock in specific site we stayed at, but some of the sites looked like they would be suitable.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2019

    Prairie Island City Campground

    Great introductory campground

    Prairie Island has all of you basic amenities without being too far from town. This campground isn’t for everybody -- if you’re looking for extreme adventure and wilderness, this is not the place for you. If you’re interested in getting into camping and not investing the money into all the gear or having direct river access, this is the place for you! They seriously rent it all. Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and dutch ovens. The camp store sells all of the basics and fishing supplies. The shower house has flush toilets and pit toilets are located throughout the campground.

    Personally, this campground is not the type that I like to stay at but it is really great for the type that wants to get into camping or the camper trailer type. Unfortunately, not enough activities to do besides boating on the river.

  • ERolf P.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Perrot State Park Campground

    Group Camping, Hiking, and Water Sports

    Wonderful time in Perrot State Park. Camped in the group campground, site A. Plenty of room for many tents, and nice level ground to pitch tents on. Huge fire ring for large group fires, and both a large grill on the fire ring, and freestanding charcoal grill. Lots of options for hiking and walking in the park with more than 13 miles of trails. We did a 5 mile hike up and over two of the more popular bluffs. We also did a two-three hour canoe/kayak trip and had a blast.

    There is not a swimming beach at the park, so if you're into that, you'll have to leave the park, but there is more than enough to do at Perrot State Park.

  • K
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Hidden Meadows RV Park

    Hidden Gem

    This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments. The campground was nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups, there was a dump station also. Portable toilets spaced around and a centralized bath house by the office. There are seasonal guests and everyone was friendly. 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.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2019

    Reicks Lake Park

    Beautiful place to watch the sunrise and start your day!

    Rieck’s Lake is located 3 miles northwest of Alma, Wisconsin. For $15 a night you will enjoy paved camping pad, fire pit, picnic table, coin-operated shower, and restroom. Electric is available at an additional charge. Word of caution there is a highway nearby so it can be noisy at times and sometimes difficult to find a spot.

    This park offers viewing platforms and is a great place to view many types of birds.

  • R
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Merrick State Park Campground

    Nice Walk-In site but bring your bug spray!

    Very nice walk-in site right on the river. LOTS of bugs to the point it was uncomfortable so make sure to bring bug spray. Tent pad, fire ring and picnic table available. Trees available that are good for those who hammock.


Guide to Alma

Tent camping opportunities near Alma, Wisconsin include several primitive sites that provide immersion in the region's unique river bluff ecosystem. The area experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler fall nights in the 40-50°F range. Campers should prepare for occasional river valley fog in morning hours, particularly at lower elevation sites near water.

What to do

Kayaking local creeks: At Schmidt Farm by Forestville, campers enjoy paddling the nearby creek. "You can tell that the hosts have put a ton of work and love into their property and I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know them. I picked campsite two so that I could hear the creek behind me," shares Amos K.

Trail access: Houston Nature Center sits at the trailhead of the Root River State Bike Trail. "This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area! The Nature Center also has a bike servicing station, showers, and bathrooms," notes Alison, making it convenient for cyclists exploring the region.

Wildlife observation: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local birds and wildlife. "The International Owl Center was a welcome discovery," mentions Steve S. about Houston Nature Center. Early morning hours provide the best wildlife viewing, with many campers reporting deer sightings at dawn.

What campers like

Dark skies for stargazing: Aefintyr offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Beautiful campground with great amenities available. Very peaceful campground, great view of the stars on clear nights!" says Mike L. The minimal light pollution in this area creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.

Campsite privacy: Campers consistently mention appreciating the spacing between sites at most tent campgrounds. "We stayed in one of the cart-in sites. Right when you park you see the push carts and it is a very short walk to the campsite. You are able to slightly see 1 cart-in site neighbor, but besides that it was very private and quiet," reports Molly Y. about Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground at Whitewater State Park.

Clean facilities: Many campers mention the well-maintained facilities. "Spacious, level, well kept, quiet. $10/night, which is great. Spotless showers and bathrooms, access to drinking water," notes Steve S. about Houston Nature Center.

What you should know

Terrain considerations: Some sites require steep hikes. At Aefintyr, Mike L. advises: "The hike to the site is steep but worth it once you get up there. I stayed at the Talia bell tent site so I didn't have to bring much so it made the hike a lot easier."

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends. Availability can be limited at smaller campgrounds like Schmidt Farm by Forestville, which has only 4 sites total.

Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Great River Harbor Campgrounds operates May to October, and most smaller campgrounds have similar seasonal limitations due to weather conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Natural playgrounds: Northend Campground offers unique water features for children. "Small lil park that they allow people to camp in. Nice sand bottom creek to swim in right behind campground, pool is a few blocks away," mentions Michael V.

Tent-only advantages: Many of the best tent camping near Alma, Wisconsin feature tent-only policies that create quieter environments. Electric hookups are limited or unavailable at most primitive sites, resulting in less noise from RVs and electronics.

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programming. Houston Nature Center provides interactive displays inside their facility, and nearby towns offer additional learning experiences like the Owl Center.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: The best tent camping sites near Alma, Wisconsin often restrict or prohibit RVs completely. Hok-Si-La City Park maintains a tent-only policy with just a few cabins. "This campground is a tent only campground with a couple cabins as well, which adds to its secluded feel," explains Beth W.

Parking considerations: Many campgrounds require vehicle parking in designated lots rather than at campsites. "You can drive in to drop off or pick up your gear but otherwise vehicles are parked in the main parking lot outside of the gate, which is not a big deal but from the group sites it is a trek to the lot and to the beach," notes Beth W. about Hok-Si-La.

Alternatives nearby: RVers seeking full hookups should consider campgrounds in nearby communities rather than the primitive sites closest to Alma. Several commercial campgrounds within 30 miles offer full-service RV camping with amenities not available at the more secluded tent sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alma, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alma, WI is Aefintyr with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Alma, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Alma, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.