Camping near Holmen, Wisconsin offers access to the La Crosse River and Black River watersheds, with elevation changes from 700 feet in river valleys to 1,200 feet on surrounding bluffs. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night, with higher humidity levels near waterways compared to bluff campsites.
What to do
Kayaking access points: At Veterans Memorial Park & Campground, campers can launch directly into the La Crosse River. "We stayed here for one night in August 2020 en route to black hills. Nice site(number 80), good shade and privacy between sites. Some mosquitos in evening," notes Kathy L.
Bike trail connections: Veterans Memorial Park provides direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail network. "Very nice campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!" reports Jarrett G. The campground connects to multiple trail systems, including routes to Sparta.
Heritage activities: Perrot State Park Campground offers historical programming during summer weekends. "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," explains Tiffany K.
What campers like
Varied terrain: Great River Bluffs State Park Campground offers both drive-in and cart-in sites with different privacy levels. "Views were stunning, trails and picnic areas were well maintained (w/ clean vault toilets). Campground had nice clean facilities (w/ showers!) and forested campsite added some extra privacy," shares Jenna M.
River access: Waterfront sites at Pettibone Resort allow boaters to beach watercraft right by their campsites. "We booked this on a whim so what's expecting much but found it to be a wonderful getaway. Everything was easy to access and they had all the needed items on site. Propane, camp store, bar, golf cart rentals, canoes, etc," reports Tara M.
Fall colors: The bluff country surrounding Holmen offers exceptional autumn camping. "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!!!" writes Tori K. about Great River Bluffs State Park.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: The Mississippi backwaters host diverse animal species. "Eagles, geese, pelicans, barred owls, ducks, deer, rabbits, raccoon, possum, etc. are abundant," explains Frank G. about his experience at Goose Island.
Noise considerations: Train tracks and highways run near several campgrounds. One camper at Great River Bluffs State Park notes, "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."
Water quality: Some campgrounds have water quality notices. At Perrot State Park, one camper advises: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Neshonoc Lakeside offers two swimming pools for families. "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here. 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 Kim L.
Playground locations: Several campsites near Holmen feature play equipment. At Goose Island, one reviewer mentions "several playgrounds for kids to have fun at" and notes that the beach area includes volleyball courts and playgrounds together, making supervision easier.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds program family-friendly evening events. "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 Neshonoc Lakeside camper.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Most RV sites in the area have specific pad compositions. At Pettibone Resort, David B. explains: "The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites. 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."
Seasonal considerations: The Mississippi floodplain affects camping access. "Very friendly, spot on the river. Looks like a lot of regulars-glad to be here in off season. Would come again," notes Kelly at Goose Island, while another camper adds, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night."
Internet connectivity: Service varies throughout the region. At Neshonoc Lakeside, Susan & Kevin W. report: "1-2 bars on AT+T," while David B. at Pettibone Resort provides more detailed information: "AT&T had 2-3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 146 Mbps down, 4.8 Mbps up. Verizon Speedtest: 016 Mbps down, 0.14 Mbps up. Free WiFi."
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