Camping spots near Belmont, Wisconsin sit within the unique Driftless Area, a region untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, creating distinctive geological features with steep limestone bluffs and deeply carved river valleys. Elevations in the area range from approximately 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with seasonal temperatures fluctuating from summer highs in the mid-80s to winter lows well below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking from April through October, especially for weekend stays at more developed sites.
What to do
Swimming at Yellowstone Lake: The 455-acre lake offers a sandy beach with designated swimming areas perfect for cooling off during hot summer days. "What really makes this campground is the lake. There's a nice beach for kids and adults to relax at and lots of kayaks on the water," notes Ryan K. of Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground.
Canyon hiking: The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails provide access to unique geological formations within the Driftless Area. One visitor to Cox Hollow Campground described their experience: "The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip. First you can explore the old spring house and read the informational signs about the family that used to farm there and other early settlers in the area."
Trout fishing: Spring-fed streams around Apple River Canyon offer excellent fishing opportunities, especially in April when trout stocking occurs. "Great spot for fishing (stocked trout in April, Smallmouth all year). Quick Tip: Bring sandals for wet wading in the creek. Head upstream for a 1/4 mile for really awesome views," advises Brannon M.
Stargazing: Multiple campgrounds in the region offer good night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. At Apple River Canyon, one camper noted, "This site is a dark skies site, so if it's not overcast or full moon there is some good stargazing."
What campers like
Private walk-in sites: For those seeking more seclusion, several campgrounds offer walk-in tent sites set back from the main camping areas. At Twin Valley Campground, Mary M. commented on site 271: "Just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff... The site I picked had lots of great options for hammock hanging!"
Clean facilities: Multiple campers highlight the cleanliness of restrooms and shower facilities as a standout feature. At Rustic Barn Campground, one visitor observed: "Shower house was immaculate with large hard stalled showers/changing room." Another camper at Lake Joy noted the bathrooms were "a bit overwhelmed due to the group size but I'd guess under normal circumstances they're fine."
Panoramic vistas: The elevated terrain around Belmont provides several lookout points with far-reaching views. "There are several observation areas that are maintained well enough to keep the undergrowth from blocking the view of the Wisconsin River Valley nearly 15 miles to the north," reported Josh F. about Blue Mound State Park Campground.
Quality hardwood firewood: Multiple state parks sell firewood directly, with some private sellers nearby. At Blue Mound, "the camp host sold high-quality hard wood for $5/bundle from a trailer on the honor system, so if you run out in the middle of the night, wood was easy to replenish."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are frequently mentioned as bold and persistent at many area campgrounds. At Governor Dodge State Park, Jen L. warns: "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" Another camper at Blue Mound stated, "The raccoons are a bit gutsier than most," while a visitor at Twin Valley had a more direct experience: "We had one frequently visit our site and get VERY close to us."
Limited level ground: Due to the hilly terrain, finding completely level tent sites can be challenging. At Grant River Recreation Area, campers appreciate that "most sites had view of river" though a visitor to Cox Hollow noted "not all 'driveways' are level which, unfortunately, we discovered in site 33. We slept with our heads lower than our feet in our camper van."
Train noise: Campgrounds located near the Mississippi River may experience train noise. At Grant River, a camper reported: "A railroad mainline ran along the campground. Our site was about 100 ft from rail and campground was where train would blow their whistle. Until midnight, trains went by about every 1/2 hour."
Cell service variations: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. At Apple River Canyon, a camper noted "T-mobile cell service is spotty at best" while another mentioned "no cell service for T-Mobile so download songs on Spotify accordingly." However, at Blue Mound, "Internet signal at the campgrounds was good. We have Verizon and could stream movies."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: The pool at Blue Mound State Park offers family-friendly swimming facilities beyond natural water bodies. "The pool is very nice and very clean. There is a pool section and a splash section. There are chairs and lounges around both and shade awnings. The cost is $3 for an adult and $2 for child," reports Debra M.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for younger children. At Palace Campground, visitors mention "swings and playground for kids" and note it's "very spacious, grassy and clean."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife spotting chances. At Apple River Canyon, one visitor "saw some deer, a big raccoon, and an eagle; and met a local photographer who showed me pictures he had taken of local fox kits and other cool wildlife."
Secure food storage: Multiple reviewers stress the importance of proper food storage due to wildlife. At Twin Valley, one camper learned this lesson the hard way: "The raccoons here are insanely bold... ended up ripping thru the roof of our tent... For any new campers, DO NOT FEED THE RACCOONS."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have both sunny and shaded sites with varying degrees of privacy. At Rustic Barn Campground RV Park, Carl F. advises: "I wish we would have booked a back in site, because they were wonderfully shaded and appeared easy to back into. (Our last 2 campground back ins were nightmarishly narrow with close trees.)"
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common at state parks, while private campgrounds typically offer more full hookup options. As one visitor to Rustic Barn noted, "All sites had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park."
Size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV length due to narrow roads or small sites. At Apple River Canyon, one reviewer cautioned: "Though there is a dump station, I would not recommend this park for large campers. Our pop up did fine and we saw a few other tear drop campers, but the roads are pretty narrow for anything more than that."
Leveling challenges: The hilly terrain can create leveling difficulties. Paul C. notes that Governor Dodge is a "Great campground for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes" while another camper at Rustic Barn mentioned "Not all sites had the patio nor were level."
