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.
