Andy M.
Ranger
RangerMiller Riverview City Park
Dubuque Iowa
Nice spot right on the mighty Mississippi.
Camping near Fennimore, WI
120 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds in Wisconsin's driftless region near Fennimore feature a mix of developed sites and natural landscapes along the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Notable options include Wyalusing State Park Campground with its ridge-top views over river valleys, and Governor Dodge State Park offering both Cox Hollow and Twin Valley Campgrounds with tent and RV sites. The area's campgrounds typically provide electric hookups, drinking water, and modern restrooms, while some locations like Pike's Peak State Park in nearby Iowa and Nelson Dewey State Park complement the camping experience with historical attractions and scenic overlooks.
Road conditions throughout the region remain accessible for most vehicles, though some campsites require walking from parking areas. Reservations are strongly recommended at state parks, particularly for weekend stays between May and October when campgrounds regularly reach capacity. The camping season generally runs April through October at most locations, with some parks like Governor Dodge and Wyalusing remaining open year-round. Weather patterns include warm summers and cool falls with occasional heavy rainfall that can affect river water levels. A camper wrote, "The scent is wonderful! It is within walking distance of the overlook of the magnificent Upper Mississippi River at the confluence of the Wisconsin River."
Campers consistently highlight the dramatic river valley views as the region's standout feature. The Wisconsin Ridge Campground at Wyalusing provides what many consider premier vistas overlooking the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the variety of camping options, from RV sites with full hookups to secluded walk-in tent areas. The region's campgrounds balance natural features with amenities like showers and firewood sales. Many sites connect directly to hiking trail networks, with some campgrounds offering boat launches for river access. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "This state park offers a little of everything - hiking trails connected to the camp grounds, boat access to the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, overlook of where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River, showers and flush toilets."
Best Campgrounds near Fennimore (120)
1. Wisconsin Ridge Campground — Wyalusing State Park
"Located on the far western edge of Wisconsin this state park offers a little of everything - hiking trails connected to the camp grounds, boat access to the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, overlook of"
"This is an amazing park on the Wisconsin/Iowa border, overlooking where the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers join. I usually try to get in at least 1 trip a year, if lucky enough 2-3."
from $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability2. Pikes Peak State Park Campground
"This campground is a short hike away from beautiful trails that overlook the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The boardwalk trails also lead to a small falls and more."
"It is within walking distance of the overlook of the magnificent Upper Mississippi River at the confluence of the Wisconsin River. There are other walking/hiking opportunities."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability3. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
"The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"
"Had to set our tent up right next to the fire ring, as that was the only spot that wasn’t muddy, so we couldn’t have a decent fire. During the rain the water was ankle deep under the picnic table."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
"The site itself was sloped away from the road making it feel tucked into the trees. The downside was that the only flat space for the tent was very close to the fire pit."
"Friendly Crowds and secluded spot despite us staying next to the main road for the camping area. Sunsets were beautiful looking west over the Mississippi River."
from $18 - $110 / night
Check Availability5. Grant River Recreation Area
"Train tracks border the campground and train horns are loud. Has sites with views of the Mississippi."
"Railroad tracks border the campground. Train horns are loud and was awaken at 3 am. It does have a nice view of the Mississippi and you can see the river from many camp sites."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability6. Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
"Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade."
"Site 271 was just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability7. Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area
"The campground was higher up on the hill, it took a 5 minutes to hike down to the lake with lots of steep steps. Nice beach area. I spent two nights here with an RV. I had electric hookup."
8. Rustic Barn Campground RV Park
"With rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland surrounding you, you can't beat the view."
"There’s a cute store and a cute little area with outside games like corn hole and yard checkers. There’s a huge grassy area for walking the dog and several stations set up with poop bags/garbage."
9. Homestead Campground — Wyalusing State Park
"2 camping areas, Homestead and Wisconsin Ridge. Homestead provides secluded, wooded sites with a good distance between them.
Ridge sites have the veiw from high over the Wisconsin River."
"Hiking - there are miles of great hiking trails and two trails for mountain biking. While the trails to Big and Little Sand caves are lovely, they are also heavily trafficked."
from $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. Eagle Cave Resort LLC
Drive Time
- 50 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 12 min from Madison, WI
- 1 hr 36 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 39 min from Janesville, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Fennimore, WI
192 Photos of 120 Fennimore Campgrounds
Dj Y.
Grant River Recreation Area
Jay W.
Wisconsin Ridge Campground — Wyalusing State Park
Dana K.
Homestead Campground — Wyalusing State Park
Kelly M.
Fireside Campground
Lindsey M.
Mud Lake County Park
Chelsie H.
Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
MARY K.
Pikes Peak State Park Campground
Kathy S.
Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
Kenneth M.
Clayton Hills Campground
Nick C.
Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites — Governor Dodge State Park
Kevin M.
Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
Melissa K.
Rustic Barn Campground RV Park
Recent Reviews near Fennimore, WI
531 Reviews of 120 Fennimore Campgrounds
Corissa S.
ScoutBlue Mound State Park Campground
Quiet private sites
The sites are very wooded and shaded, making them incredibly private. Clean showers
Andrew R.ScoutFireside Campground
Family, Pet, Motorcycle Friendly!
This is a fantastic Campground, especially for RVs and families. Large playground and outdoor games, small indoor rec area. During busy weekends with lots of kids and holidays, they have foam parties for the kids where they fill the basketball court with foam 3 ft High. Most sites are permanent sites, but have probably around 20 other 30 amp sites that can accommodate large RVs. There are only a few tent sites, but if tent is your only option and you still want to stay they will rent you an RV site for the tent. New owners are very friendly, and have adopted the same overwhelmingly hospitable nature as the previous owners. Fantastic people and very helpful. It will accommodate special needs or requests as long as it doesn't bother anybody or go against any insurance policies. I've had a permanent site here in the past, and recently started camping again and came to visit old friends. The new owners were still happy to accommodate semi truck parking for my job. I haul milk locally so I work more than I'm off, but the family can still camp and I can come when I'm done work. It is near the Wisconsin River, so it's fairly sand base although the Grass Grows plenty so you're not tracking sand everywhere. The benefits of this is when it rains heavily the sand absorbs the water rapidly. The only negative is the mosquitoes. Be prepared for mosquitoes with lots of bug spray. This is no fault of the campground, all low wetlands in Wisconsin are the same. The bathrooms are some of the best in any Campground I've seen. They are always clean, modernized, and Air condition. There are showers and bathroom stalls near the park. They try to keep families close to the park if possible for the bathrooms and the park access itself. They are really extremely accommodating for requests if it's in their power at all. The owners live at the campground and are always accessible by a simple phone call if after hours. There's a community vibe, with a community fire pit up front and often people are just hanging out outside of the main office. It embodies our Wisconsin way of life and you will find strangers waving at you every time you pass by. It's just our nature, don't be weirded out by the friendliness. The regular permanent campers are all so friendly and always willing to help a newbie or even someone struggling to figure out a problem or even carry things.
- KKevinScout
Rustic Barn Campground RV Park
Great stop
Just stopped for one night. Very friendly and helpful camp staff. Nice trees, electrical and sewer.
- IIrene M.
GuideFireside Campground
Cute campground with great hosts.
Found this campground by chance after the campground I had planned to stay at was a complete disaster. Luckily, they were able to get me a campsite for two nights where I could regroup do a little laundry and chill out also took a bike ride on the bike path.
- IIrene M.Guide
Pikes Peak State Park Campground
Great campground but showers sucked.
Nice campground with hookups. But the shower only had the push button and the water was so hot it was scalding!
Rob R.RangerBlanding Landing
Pretty but very uneven
The campground is very nice but most of the sites are not level. I’m not talking about just put down the leveling blocks, they’re like backing into a ditch. Thankfully I’m staying when it’s not busy but I had to circle the campground three times to find a site I could make work and call reservation.gov to change my reservation. It’s a shame because it is a very scenic location and the camp hosts have been superb.
- ccurtis B.Guide
Blackhawk Memorial Park
Hidden gem!
Best kept secret in the area. Very low rates (5 dollars a night Sunday through Thursday .
John S.GuideBlackhawk Park
Camping along the river
Nice place with spots at the end with places to fish that over look the Mississippi River
Guide to Fennimore
Camping in Wisconsin's driftless region around Fennimore offers sites at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating dramatic terrain changes uncommon in the Midwest. The area receives approximately 36 inches of annual rainfall, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. This unique geography forms a microclimate where morning fog commonly settles in valley campgrounds during spring and fall months.
What to do
Cave exploration: 30-minute drive from main camping areas to Eagle Cave Resort, where visitors can explore the Midwest's largest onyx cave. "This is a great family camp ground! Winter is best for cave camping! Mostly scouts and church groups during the winter," notes Jennfer C.
Waterfall hiking: Multiple trails access small but scenic falls throughout the region. At Cox Hollow Campground, campers recommend the Stephens Falls trail. "The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip- even in the rain! 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," writes Siobhan R.
River paddling: Put-in points accessible from several campgrounds. "There's a nice beach for kids and adults to relax at and lots of kayaks on the water," says Ryan K. about Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Multiple campgrounds offer secluded options. "Most campsites have privacy and are quiet due to being a smaller park. Bathrooms and showers are modern and clean," notes Renee W. about Nelson Dewey State Park Campground.
Native American history: Several campgrounds preserve indigenous heritage sites. "October is one of their busiest times of the year due to the fall colors, which peak around Oct 9-15th... On your way to the falls, just north of the main overlook, you will notice Bear Mound, an effigy built by ancient American Indians who inhabited the area from 800-1200 A.D. There are 63 mounds in the park, most of them conical or linear in shape," explains Tori K.
Campground cleanliness: Consistently mentioned in reviews. "Bathroom/shower was super clean and smelled clean. Firewood available in 5 gallon buckets," reports Scott D. from his stay at Pikes Peak State Park.
What you should know
Train noise affects riverside sites: Multiple campgrounds along the Mississippi experience train disruptions. "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. After midnight about every other hour," warns Lyle B. about his stay at Grant River Recreation Area.
Campsite leveling challenges: Many campsites require adjustment for comfortable sleeping. "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," reports Lee D.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are particularly bold in several campgrounds. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns Jen L. Another camper adds, "The raccoons here and insanely bold, we had one frequently visit our site and get VERY close to us and in the evening ended up ripping thru the roof of our tent."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for pets. "My boyfriend and I brought our two dogs here to camp. They had a dog beach for them to swim in which was a huge plus! Great hiking with some beautiful scenery," shares Sarah B.
Shower facilities vary: Check campground amenities before booking. "BATHROOMS: let me wax poetic about the new bathroom/shower block. While I didn't take photos (should have) this is one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in. Not just in a state park, ever. It was built in 2019 and has been treated well by visitors and well maintained by the park and campground hosts," reports Josh F. about Twin Valley Campground.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities. "The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time," says Jennifer B. about her experience at a state park near Fennimore.
Tips for RVers
Site selection critical: Many campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. "Beautiful wooded campground with easy access to fishing & swimming. If camping with a trailer or RV check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level," advises Jeanne M.
Full hookup options limited: Research services before arrival. "Unlike Minnesota and Wisconsin, Iowa's state parks do not require a permit-bonus for RVers. Many sites have full hook-up, most if not all have electric. I paid $25 a night. Full week is $150!!" shares Danny J. about camping options just across the state line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fennimore, WI?
Which is the most popular campground near Fennimore, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fennimore, WI is Wisconsin Ridge Campground — Wyalusing State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 53 reviews.
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