Fountain City lies within Wisconsin's distinctive Driftless Area, a region untouched by glaciation that features deeply carved river valleys, steep limestone bluffs, and hardwood forests. Campgrounds in this area sit at elevations ranging from 650 feet along the Mississippi River to over 1,200 feet atop the surrounding bluffs. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F while summer camping means preparing for occasional 90°F days with high humidity.
What to do
Cave exploration: 12-13 miles of underground passages at Mystery Cave offer unique experiences near camping areas. "The cave was around 12-13 miles long and there was water and different formations. The floor was really wet so bring shoes you won't slip in," notes a visitor to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park.
Trout fishing: Access premium cold-water streams throughout the bluff region. "Lots of spots for great fishing. Best part: very few mosquitoes!! (The cold, constantly moving water helps keep them away)," explains a camper at Whitewater State Park.
Tubing the Root River: Float directly through campsites for easy water access. "Tubing the river is the highlight here. You drop in one side of the campsite and an hour later pull out on the other side," shares a visitor to The Old Barn Resort.
Hiking bluff trails: Multiple difficulty options ranging from short overlook walks to challenging climbs. "I hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to," writes a Whitewater State Park camper.
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Spacious waterfront camping with natural buffers between neighbors. "Big sites on river. Bike trails. Tubing," explains a brief but informative review about Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging. These sites often include fire rings and picnic tables.
Yurt camping: Wooden platform structures available at select locations. "Plenty of space without being too close to your neighbors. Super easy to social distance here," notes a winter visitor to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, which offers yurt camping near Fountain City, Wisconsin.
Minimal insect issues: Less mosquito activity than typically expected in wooded settings. "We were surprised that there were minimal mosquitoes at Whitewater. We have always enjoyed hiking here too," confirms a repeat visitor to the park.
Fall color viewing: Prime season typically mid-September through October. "Stayed here in the fall. Had a site right next to the bathroom big enough for 2 tents and 2 vehicles. Hikes here offer great views of the river and bluffs and the fall colors are gorgeous!!!" reports a camper at Great River Bluffs State Park.
What you should know
Off-grid experience: Limited connectivity throughout the region. "No cell service at our site, but 2 bars plus WIFI outside the visitor center," shares a camper at Whitewater State Park, reflecting a common situation at campgrounds in the river valleys.
Quick weather changes: Valley locations prone to fog and flash flooding. "We had great weather our first day and saw few other people on the trails. It got colder and rainy and most of the campers left," explains another Whitewater visitor.
Road and rail noise: Significant sound pollution at some locations. "Highway noise from the highway running along the river and from I-90 (while not really noticeable during the day) is ridiculously loud at night... Added to this were the half dozen trains that ran through the night," warns a reviewer at Great River Bluffs State Park.
Winter camping available: Select campgrounds open year-round with reduced services. "The spaces were kept plowed with easy access to the electric boxes. This time of year, water is not on in the campground, but there is a spigot right across the road at the visitor center that is on (easy 2 min walk)," explains a February visitor to Whitewater State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water play areas: Root River access points with gradual entry. "We had so much fun playing on the river and exploring the park! Everything is right there and the river is so pretty! Despite the rain we had a great time!" shares a visitor to Whitewater State Park.
Campsite selection: Look for buffer spaces between group areas. "Our site was very large, which was nice as it gave us more than enough room to set up our tent, leaving space between us and the neighboring sites," advises a family that stayed at The Old Barn Resort.
Multi-activity amenities: Campgrounds with built-in entertainment reduce travel needs. "They have a great restaurant and outside bar, pool, baseball and a playground," notes another Old Barn Resort camper, making it a good option for families seeking yurt camping near Fountain City, Wisconsin with additional amenities.
Shoulder season visits: Consider September weekdays for fewer crowds. "We had the entire State Park to myself. It was super cool be eerie. Great hikes and the view from the top was worth it," explains a solo traveler to Whitewater State Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric-only hookups: Water fill and dump stations available at entrances. "Nice park for everyone's type from tents, cabins and all size RV's. Electric only at the camp sites but have water and dump station on site," explains a visitor to Chester Woods Park.
Site levelness: Most electric loops well-maintained. "Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level," notes a recent visitor to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park who stayed in site 71.
Site spacing: More privacy in non-electric loops. "Campsites in the campground are really close together, so when full, I imagine that is a downside," observes a Whitewater State Park visitor who lucked into an empty campground.
Easy access sites: Look for pull-through options when booking. "The sites were big and not a problem to get in to! Fire rings with grates at the sites!" shares an RV camper at The Old Barn Resort, noting the straightforward setup for larger vehicles.
