E
Elisa M.
Guide
GuideGoose Island
Beautiful Spot on the River
Quiet, beautiful and good facilities. Showers .25 for 5 minutes. We are here midweek in September so even the occupied sites only have people staying there in the weekends.
Camping near Genoa, WI
147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping in the Genoa, Wisconsin area encompasses a range of options along the Mississippi River valley, from developed campgrounds to more primitive sites. The region includes established facilities like Goose Island near Stoddard with full hookups for RVs and tent sites, as well as Blackhawk Park in Desoto offering riverside camping. Several campgrounds provide access to both the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, with most locations situated within a 30-mile radius of Genoa in the scenic Driftless Area.
Seasonal operation significantly shapes camping availability, with most campgrounds open from April through October. Goose Island operates mid-April to October, while Blackhawk Park welcomes campers from April 1 to October 31. Many sites require advance reservations during peak summer months, particularly for weekend stays and waterfront locations. The Mississippi River floodplain can impact accessibility during spring high water events, especially at lower elevation campgrounds. Facilities vary considerably, from primitive sites with minimal amenities to developed campgrounds with electric hookups, showers, and dump stations. According to one visitor, "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 where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River, showers and flush toilets."
Campers report high satisfaction with sites offering river views, particularly those situated on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi. Several visitors mentioned the opportunity to observe wildlife, including bald eagles, along the waterways. The area's campgrounds provide varied access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and water activities. Tent campers can find secluded wooded sites at locations like Wyalusing State Park, while RV travelers have multiple options with hookups. A recent review noted, "If you are lucky enough to get a site on the ridge you won't be disappointed," referring to the popular bluff-top sites that provide panoramic views of the river valley. Train noise can be a factor at some riverside campgrounds, particularly those closest to railroad tracks that parallel the Mississippi.
Best Campgrounds near Genoa (147)
1. Goose Island
"This camp South of Lacrosse Wisconsin is a great family or road tripping camp."
"The sites are close together near the entrance. The spread out as you get deeper into the park. Beautiful grounds. Good communication from the camp rangers when we had to switch sites."
from $22 - $34 / night
Check Availability2. Blackhawk Park
"From our site (30) we had a nice view of the water which was about a 3min walk. Site was mostly level with gravel, picnic table and fire pit/grate."
"We had site 40west and it was larger, but too close to the smelly pit toilets. Showers nice, hot and clean. The tent sites looked spacious, but not very private."
from $18 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground
"The park has a lot of very well maintained trails. The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley."
"Water, garbage and recycling (separated) were all close by. There as no cell signal, so we went to town for that. The park has nice trails that are pretty well marked."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability4. Pettibone Resort
"About a 10 minute walk over the Cass St. bridge and you are in the heart of downtown La Crosse. This campground offers everything."
"Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/30A electric and water. Site was a little unlevel. Neighbors are close. AT&T had 2-3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bars of LTE service."
from $28 - $30 / night
Check Availability5. Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest
"There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."
6. Shady Rest Acres
"If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. "
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability7. Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit Dispersed Camping
8. Great River Bluffs State Park Campground
"I enjoy camping away from the hub bub of the family campground and opting for the backpack or cart in sites. Luckily, Great River Bluffs has some of the nicest cart ins I have encountered."
"The cart in sites all have a fire pit with a grill, picnic table, and are a short walk from the primitive toilets. There is a water spigot in the parking area."
from $24 / night
Check Availability9. Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park
"Esofea campground has a shelter, several ponds and streams, and some nice hiking trails. The camping options range from full hookups to tent camping."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. Sidie Hollow County Ridge Campground
"No swimming or store, but good hiking / biking trails in the driftless area of SW Wisconsin. Water / electric sites have gravel drives. Not all level."
Drive Time
- 25 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 24 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 53 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 1 hr 59 min from Dubuque, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Genoa, WI
170 Photos of 147 Genoa Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Shady Rest Acres
Our ForestB
Goose Island
Bryes Bad Axe Glamping
Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park
Sidie Hollow County Main CampgroundN
Boat Landing Campground — Bad Axe Watershed
Pettibone Resort
Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground
Houston Nature CenterS
Westfork Sports Club & Campground
Recent Reviews near Genoa, WI
568 Reviews of 147 Genoa Campgrounds
- FFue X.
TravelerFree camping by Rushford
Free camping
I go there every year for hunting. Everyone is friendly and everyone is responsible for cleaning up the place. First come first serve. No reservations.
- BBriana K.
ScoutNeshonoc Lakeside
Beautiful, clean, fun
I was a little skeptical after a negative review about the regular residents, so I watched for that dynamic. We were camping with another family so we had 8 kids between the two of us and I was worried all those kiddos would upset people. Quite the opposite experience from that review and it motivated me to leave this one to help provide a good picture. I have nothing bad to say about our camping experience. We did go a little out of season (September 12) so a lot of the campsites were empty. Most their sites are flat, and clean. The grass was well mowed and maintained. They had activities for the kids (Halloween). People that drove by were friendly and smiling, and waiving. We had people drop off candy for the kids asking parents first. We had people offer basketballs for our kids to use while they were away from their site. Me and my friend were about to haul ice bags and wood up a huge hill on foot and someone stopped their golf cart and emptied it of what they were carrying to give us a ride to our campsite. The kids tootled about on their bikes being kids with no negative experiences. There were a couple of kids on motor scooters whose engines were kind of obnoxious but that’s going to happen more and more at campgrounds, and it wasn’t during quiet hours. We had sites atop the “full Lakeview” and it was honestly surprising how beautiful it was up there. I think it can be difficult to get a view when you’re camping but those sites had it. We knew the full lake view sites were open so we took the cheaper ones across from them, but still saw the same view. There was a great amount of space between the sites we used. The only possible critique I might offer is in that specific row there weren’t many trees for shade, but the weather was cooler so it didn’t affect us, but if we went in the summer it might have been more uncomfortable without that natural shade. The bath houses and showers were great!!! I feel like a good bath house can make or break a campsite and we’ve been to some smaller ones that were quite lacking but this one was great. Very clean, not many bugs, spacious, real doors on the shower stalls. We did not arrive in season to utilize the pool area but it looked great from the other side of the gate ;) - the parks were well maintained and the kids loved them. there was a set of stairs that went from up the hill down to the office that looked a little sketchy but they were closed off for use. If you didn’t have a golf cart or couldn’t ride a bike, the trek from where we stayed to the office might be a challenge. Overall we loved it and would definitely consider going again. The sites were a little pricey but had on site sewer hookup which is fantastic.
Andy M.
LegendPikes Peak State Park Campground
Very nice spot.
We got here on a Monday and got a great spot in the back. The sunrise was spectacular. Then the fog moved in off the river and it was pretty cool.
Brandon C.GuideHighway 250 Campground
Hwy 250
Good camper spot right along the river. Clean bathrooms and showers. Hitched a ride to the dam in town and tubes right to our campsite. Direct access to trails that go to town.
- AAnita L.Guide
Pulpit Rock Campground
Pulpit Rock campground
We camped in Pulpit Rock campground in a pull through site with friends. They allow two campers on one site. This site was particularly long with our 38' 5th wheel and their 33' pull type camper. We were next to the highway so it was a little noisy which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. Tons of shade in this area. Staff was very friendly. We called in early and they saved this spot for us b/c it was a FCFS site. So you call and they will hold a spot for you to come that day. We also had a flat fire pit with 2 sides instead of a circle one in the ground. We were always knocking out burning logs.
Brett S.ScoutLake Road Campground
Small
Stayed here for a tournament weekend. The sites are very small, backed my camper in and had very little room left. My camper is 27' tip to tail. Site was level, did not have to use any blocks, no privacy at all. 1 bundle of firewood provided per night stayed. I liked that, besides the dog park there really isn't anything to do at the campground.
Katie D.GuideGoose Island
Huge sites, lots of open areas, nice trails
We are in 301 near the back and the sites are large, lots of grass, and beautiful. Trails around the park are wonderful for exercise and bird watching.
- 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!
Guide to Genoa
Camping spots near Genoa, Wisconsin sit in the unique Driftless Area, a region untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. This topography creates steep limestone bluffs, deep valleys, and cold water streams unlike the rest of Wisconsin's more gentle terrain. Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with fall offering vibrant foliage displays when temperatures range from 40-65°F.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Several camping areas provide excellent trout fishing opportunities. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground, the creek offers cold, clear water ideal for fishing. "The river that runs through is beautiful, cold, and clear. I didn't have any luck fishing though I could see the trout hanging out in an easily accessible pool at the end of a run," notes one visitor.
Hiking trail exploration: The region's topography creates dramatic hiking opportunities with minimal crowds. Great River Bluffs State Park offers shorter trails with substantial payoff. According to a camper, "I love this area as the bluffs are stunning. It's Minnesota's little Switzerland. The park isn't much to look at and there's only a few look-out point onto the Mississippi but its a nice little campground."
Quarry camping: For those seeking more remote experiences, the dispersed camping at Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit provides unique terrain. "This is an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it's steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights. This is a hike in camping spot, camp spots are not well marked I stayed in the old rock Cory when I camped here, years ago."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campers value direct river access at Pettibone Resort. One reviewer mentioned, "We booked this on a whim so what's expecting much but found it to be a wonderful getaway. If you're on the bay side you can being your boat and beach it right by your campsite."
Wildlife viewing: The Mississippi River valley offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Goose Island, campers report, "Eagles, geese, pelicans, barred owls, ducks, deer, rabbits, raccoon, possum, etc. are abundant. During the week the grounds are super quiet. I was there for the Aurora and it was incredible."
Natural springs: The region's limestone geology creates natural springs throughout the area. Beaver Creek Valley State Park features this attraction with one camper noting, "The Big Spring was also a great natural water feature to relax in after a hot hike!"
What you should know
Flooding considerations: The Mississippi River floodplain affects many campgrounds seasonally. Pettibone Resort experiences this directly, with one camper reporting, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night. Mississippi was over flowing this flood plain and yet still beautiful and want to return."
Limited cell coverage: Many camping areas have spotty or no cellular reception due to the steep terrain. At Beaver Creek Valley, "There is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it."
Noise factors: Despite the rural setting, some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. At Great River Bluffs State Park, a camper noted, "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) AND the light aircraft flying into Lacrosse airport."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds offer unique animal interactions for children. Shady Rest Acres provides a farm experience where "they have donkeys, Scottish Highland cows (a family of them), sheep, goats, chickens (and they'll even pick the bugs off your car), bees, horses, ducks, cats and dogs."
Playground locations: For families with children, consider campgrounds with strategic playground placement. At Goose Island, one parent appreciated that "one of the things I like best is the playground is on the beach. My kid really loves that!"
Water activities: Many camping areas provide safe water access for children. Blackhawk Park offers water recreation, though one visitor noted, "I only dropped a star because the swimming area is very mediocre. The rest, very good!"
Tips from RVers
Electric site selection: For RV campers, Blackhawk Park offers various electric hookup options, but site selection matters. "The electric sites are like a typical RV park, not much space or privacy. We had site 40west and it was larger, but too close to the smelly pit toilets," reports one RVer.
Dump station timing: RV campers should plan waste disposal strategically at busier campgrounds. At Goose Island, one experienced camper advises, "I plan my RV dumping times and have never had to wait in line."
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require leveling equipment. At Blackhawk Park, one camper noted, "Sites are fairly flat clay soil, so I didn't have to level much. A thunderstorm didn't create any driving issues."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Genoa, WI?
What camping is available near Genoa, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Genoa, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Genoa, WI and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Genoa, WI?
Which is the most popular campground near Genoa, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Genoa, WI is Goose Island with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Genoa, WI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Genoa, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Genoa, WI.
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