Camping options near Galesville, Wisconsin spread throughout the Mississippi River valley at approximately 700 feet elevation. The region features a humid continental climate with warm summers reaching the mid-80s and cold winters that can dip below freezing. Late spring through early fall camping season brings variable weather conditions with summer thunderstorms common throughout the region.
What to do
Kayak the backwaters: Merrick State Park offers access to Mississippi River paddling routes with convenient shoreline launch sites. According to Seth J., "The shore consists of large rocks to prevent erosion so a canoe would have been difficult to put in but it was easy to carry my kayak into the water and paddle across the channel to the kayak/canoe trail that we could see from the campsite."
Explore Heritage Day events: Pettibone Resort hosts seasonal weekend activities during summer. Tiffany K. mentions that "The Saturday we were there they had a heritage camp set up to learn about how things were done in the past. This park has good access for a kayak/canoe path."
Try mountain biking: Veterans Memorial Park & Campground connects directly to regional trail networks. "Veterans Memorial Campground is directly on State Bike Trail, and easily accessible from I-90," notes one reviewer, while another adds, "Vet's Park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east."
Observe wildlife: The river valley hosts diverse bird species including eagles, waterfowl and migratory birds. At Great River Bluffs State Park, one camper reports, "We saw a cardinal and 3 hummingbirds because they came to hang out right in our campsite! The fireflies at night were an added bonus!"
Visit farm attractions: Farm-based camping options let you experience agricultural life. At Frickson Family Farms, Andy F. appreciated being able to "see baby pigs and also grill some tasty steaks from the cool farm store!!"
What campers like
River views: Campsites along the Mississippi provide direct water access. At Great River Bluffs State Park, Mi S. reports, "The views are breathtaking! The sites are a bit too close to each other, but do offer enough privacy."
Varied camping styles: Different campgrounds accommodate various preferences from primitive to full-service. At Merrick State Park, Beth D. explains, "3 Campgrounds: Island sites offer the best-in-park privacy for a campsite, but they are walk in (carts provided for hauling in). South Campground sites are closer together with fewer trees, but still offer a front row seat to the Friday evening boat show."
Fall colors: Several reviewers recommend autumn visits for foliage and fewer insects. Tori K. from Great River Bluffs State Park writes, "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!!!"
Recreation amenities: Champions Riverside Resort offers extensive onsite entertainment. AJ M. notes, "The food from the bar was amazing as an option, the kids stuff was busy at all times showing us with older children how happy the kids were. Our teenagers were still engaged in the activity of camping."
Boat access: Many campgrounds feature river docking or beaching options. Tara M. appreciates that at Pettibone Resort, "If you're on the bay side you can bring your boat and beach it right by your campsite."
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Mississippi River backwaters create ideal mosquito breeding grounds. Juliana from Merrick State Park cautions, "I would think the mosquitoes are bad in summer," while Beth D. advises, "Bring your bugspray or thermocell, we definitely needed protection."
Train noise considerations: Several riverfront campgrounds sit near active rail lines. Bryan P. from Prairie Island City Campground warns, "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 (horns going off too)."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds report nitrate issues in drinking water. Kayla F. notes at Perrot State Park, "There were signs posted that the drinking water cannot be boiled, nor can it be given to babies or elderly due to high nitrates. But we brought our own water anyways."
Seasonal flooding risks: Spring and early summer can bring high water levels. Theresa at Pettibone Resort shares, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night. Mississippi was over flowing this flood plain."
Site characteristics vary: Many campgrounds offer different camping experiences within the same property. At Prairie Island City Campground, Stephanie S. recommends, "If you stay I recommend sites 60 and 61," noting "My husband and I stayed here because we traded our old camper for a different model nearby in Wisconsin and we thought this looked like a good place to test it out for the first time."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Veterans Memorial Park & Campground offers extensive play areas. Dave B. notes the park has "Tons of oak trees. Lots of playgrounds. Clean rest rooms with showers," while another reviewer adds that "Vet's Park has baseball fields, playgrounds, a couple of group shelters, volleyball courts, and tons of space for activities."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular entertainment for younger campers. A visitor to Champions Riverside Resort reports, "The pool was overrun by kids so adults weren't swimming," suggesting high popularity with families, while AJ M. noted the "kids stuff was busy at all times."
Accessible hiking trails: Several parks offer easier walking paths suitable for children. Jennifer B. found Perrot State Park offered "Lots of amazing views, interactive signs and information that was perfect for our 4 year old."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with appropriate restrictions. At Veterans Memorial Park, Jarrett G. appreciated the "very nice dog park," while Rebecca R. notes that Prairie Island is "Across the street from a dog park so if you bring your fur-friend with, there is a nice enclosed area for them to run while being supervised."
Tips from RVers
Electric site selection: Sites with power often have different characteristics than primitive areas. At Merrick State Park, one camper explains, "North campground has electric and showers/flush toilets, access to water, but no water views," illustrating the common tradeoff between amenities and scenery.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for comfortable setup. At Pettibone Resort, David B. notes, "It was a grass site with two concrete strips for my TT tires. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side...Site was a little unlevel."
Seasonal camper atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to long-term visitors. Nicole L. notes at Champions Riverside Resort, "Most of the campground is permanent campers. Many have added porches and landscaping to sites. Most of the permanent people are friendly and welcoming to overnight visitors."
Dust considerations: Unpaved roads can affect air quality in dry conditions. Nicole L. observed, "The roads were very dusty and since they rent out golf carts there is always traffic. It would've been nice for them to wet down roads occasionally to limit dust in the air."
