The Ellsworth area sits at approximately 950 feet above sea level in western Wisconsin's rolling countryside, near the junction of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Campers can access multiple state parks and private RV campgrounds within 30-45 minutes of town. Winter closures typically begin in late October, with most facilities reopening between mid-April and early May.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trail access at Willow River State Park Campground leads to scenic falls. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" The park offers both paved and unpaved trails across varying difficulty levels.
Paddling opportunities: 10-minute drive from Highland Ridge Campground to Eau Galle Reservoir. "The lake 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." No motorized boats allowed on this serene body of water.
Casino entertainment: Free shuttle service available at Dakotah Meadows RV Park. "The Casino operates a round trip Shuttle that picks you up and drops you at your site." Most shuttles run until midnight with extended hours on weekends, providing convenient transportation for evening activities.
What campers like
Private shower facilities: Nelson's Landing RV Park offers individual bathroom units. "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. Great water pressure and temperature." Many campers compare them favorably to upscale athletic clubs.
Spacious sites: Extra room for pets and outdoor activities at many campgrounds. "We easily backed in to our site. There was a large open grassy area behind us that our two dogs enjoyed." Sites at Highland Ridge provide natural separation through mature trees, while Treasure Island offers more open layouts.
Local dining options: Walking distance restaurants from several campgrounds. "Walking distance to local restaurants and shops. Just pay online. No worries about checking in." The Nelson Creamery receives particular mention: "Housed in an old historic building... it reminded me of something in France. There is a formal dining room area, wine cellar, and casual outdoor seating on a patio under vine covered canopy."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close for winter. "We have stayed here 4 times... This is a beautiful, densely wooded campground with fairly well spaced sites." Highland Ridge operates April through November with limited availability during shoulder seasons.
Cell service variability: Reception depends on carrier and tree cover. "AT&T service is spotty throughout the park with either 1 or 2 bars, although in the spring and fall when there's few leaves on the trees, service is fine." Verizon generally provides better coverage throughout the region.
Bug activity: Insect repellent necessary, especially during summer months. "Beautiful but buggy! Aside from the plentiful bugs (in August), we enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground!" The densely wooded sites offer shade but can harbor more mosquitoes than open campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Byllesby Campground provides extensive play areas. "Loved it!! Location is fabulous, sites are all brand new and playgrounds are a kids dream. Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too." Multiple play structures suitable for different age groups.
Kid-friendly activities: Geocaching opportunities available at several parks. "When we went the lake had a blue green algae problem. Other than that it was great and had fun geocaching spots." Remember to bring your own GPS device or smartphone app.
Quieter camping loops: Select sites away from main roads for better rest. "We picked a site at the end looking to have less neighbors. The camp was beautiful and had great trails and clean showers." Request non-generator loops when booking if noise is a concern.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RV camping near Ellsworth, Wisconsin, choose carefully based on hookup locations. "Our site had water and electric hookups. Our challenge was that we arrived after dark, and the site numbers were posted at the back end of the sites, necessitating a sleuthing operation with my flashlight to find our site."
Casino RV parking: Treasure Island RV Park offers level pull-through sites. "This is a typical casino parking lot RV 'park' with full hookups. 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."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer weekends. "They assign sites when you pay your deposit which I really like knowing prior to arrival." Most campgrounds require payment upon booking with non-refundable deposits during peak season.
