Ferryville lies along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin's Driftless Region, an area characterized by steep limestone bluffs and deep river valleys untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. The terrain varies dramatically with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons can see overnight lows drop into the 30s with daytime highs in the 60s.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Neshonoc: Located near Neshonoc Lakeside in West Salem, this 600-acre lake offers water recreation opportunities. "Great place to go kayak, decent place to fish, and good access to bike trail. The lake is about 600 acres in size and about 11 feet deep at the deepest point. Lake Sturgeon, Bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill can be caught at this location," notes one visitor.
Hiking at Wildcat Mountain: The park features several trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "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. We found that the Mississippi Ridge Trail to be a lovely walk in the woods - without any people (and that was on Labor Day weekend!)" reports a camper at Wildcat Mountain State Park.
Trout fishing: Vernon County's streams are well-stocked with trout. "There is good trout fishing at this campground. Recommended spots are one of the 5 ponds or the Bad Axe River," mentions a visitor to Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park, which maintains stocked fishing ponds from April through October.
Visit Yellow River State Forest: This Iowa destination offers extensive multi-use trail systems. "We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling," writes a visitor to Big Paint Campground.
What campers like
Scenic river valley views: The blufftop camping at Wyalusing provides panoramic views of two major rivers. "This is the quintessential Wyalusing experience with sites overlooking both the Wisconsin and Mississippi River valleys. If you're looking for a majestic view of both rivers and the quaint river town of Prairie du Chien, the sites you'll want to check out are 119, 127, 129, 122, 144, 146, 148 and 152," recommends a camper at Wyalusing State Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the region feature clean, modern facilities. "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," describes a visitor to Wyalusing State Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here. The owners were super friendly and helpful. Our kiddo had so much fun at the pools, the top one is very large and new with a splash pad area. The lower pool is older and smaller, and where grown ups tend to go for a dip," writes a camper at Neshonoc Lakeside.
Spacious campsites: Campers appreciate the well-designed sites at many area campgrounds. "The sites are grassy or gravel and are very roomy and level. Lots of activities for the kids…basketball, horseshoes, volleyball, sizeable pool, and playground. This place is older but very clean," notes a visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside.
What you should know
Seasonal schedules vary: Many area campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "This is a very well kept campground... They have two pools and a hot tub! They recently set up a Bloody Mary bar on the weekends and have bands by the lower pool. The lake is awesome and they have a small beach for campers to swim," writes a reviewer about Neshonoc Lakeside, which operates from April 15 to October 15.
Wind exposure on ridgetops: The blufftop campgrounds can experience significant wind. "This campground is also noted for its rip-roaring winds, one camper told us that during the rainy and wind night before, their shelter took off and tumbled down the valley - and when they say down, they're talking down, down, down," cautions a visitor about Wisconsin Ridge campground at Wyalusing.
Privacy levels differ: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. "The Homestead Campground, which consists of four loops named after cardinal directions. Three of the loops are really just a long road with a cul-de-sac at the end, while the fourth is just a big loop with a large green space inside the circle and the loop's water source. This campground's sites are mostly among trees, and have a fair amount of privacy (forest understory growth) between sites," notes a camper at Wyalusing.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Not all campgrounds offer full services. "Going in knowing that there were pit toilets and no potable water, I did not have high expectations for this campsite. I was pleasantly surprised to find it very well maintained with spacious sites," shares a visitor to Big Paint Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity-focused campgrounds: Some area rv campgrounds near Ferryville, Wisconsin cater specifically to families. "This campground has a fun vibe with great views if you are looking for lots of activities for kids this is a great place it's a little too busy for our liking but it is a really nice campground," notes a visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside.
Consider organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured entertainment. "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around- candy for kids and lots of dancing. Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy and adults amused. Sunday night a jimmy buffet cover band played," reports a family staying at Neshonoc Lakeside.
Check for playground facilities: Several area campgrounds feature playground equipment. "Lots of activities for the kids…basketball, horseshoes, volleyball, sizeable pool, and playground," notes a camper at Neshonoc Lakeside.
Be aware of hazards: Some natural features require extra caution. "There's some really nice trails and cool rock formations, couple this with the playground and nice bathrooms it makes for an ideal campground for families with younger children. Just keep in mind that it's on a bluff so there are some steep drop-off points that children could take a pretty nasty fall from," warns a visitor to Wyalusing.
Tips from RVers
Select level sites: The region's hilly terrain can make finding level sites challenging. "It was spacious and very well kept, with a great view of the lake. Very easy to back in and get set up, almost level and took very little adjustment to get our spot in order," shares an RV camper at Skip-A-Way Resort in Clermont, Iowa.
Prepare for seasonal crowds: RV campgrounds in Ferryville, Wisconsin and surrounding areas can fill quickly in peak season. "We stayed over memorial weekend with a group of friends. The sites are split between full timer seasonal sites and daily campers. The site are all level, have a fire pit and picnic table. They are pretty open, so you're close to you neighbors and little shade or privacy. All RVs here, some tents as overflow for kiddos whose parents are staying in the RV," reports a visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside.
Check hookup locations: The placement of utilities can vary between sites. "Note that depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance," advises an RVer at Peterson City RV Park.
Look for pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. "Super easy back ins, plenty of space for extra cars or shade tents on the site," notes a camper at Neshonoc Lakeside about their RV experience.
