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Colin 
Guide
GuideChester Woods Patk
Wonderful place to stay
Easy check in. Self serve. Staff and hosts are great.
Camping near Nelson, WI
130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Nelson, Wisconsin sits along the Mississippi River, providing campers with scenic riverside accommodation options. Campgrounds include Nelson's Landing RV Park, which offers RV and tent sites with full hookups for seasonal camping from May through October. Several campgrounds in neighboring Minnesota, such as Kruger Campground in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, provide more rustic experiences. The region includes developed RV parks, primitive forest service sites, and cabin rentals within short drives of Nelson, creating diverse camping options for visitors exploring the Upper Mississippi River Valley.
The camping season generally runs from April through October, with some sites closing earlier due to weather conditions. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Nelson's Landing RV Park offers online reservations with site assignments prior to arrival, which campers appreciate for planning purposes. Winter camping is limited, with most facilities closing after the fall season. Sites in the state forests tend to be more affordable but offer fewer amenities than the private RV parks. A visitor noted, "The dispersed camping near Zumbro Bottoms is awesome but very hard to find. Also the mosquitoes when we went were everywhere."
Campers consistently mention the natural beauty of the Mississippi River bluffs and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly eagle watching. Nelson's Landing RV Park receives positive reviews for its cleanliness and new facilities, with one camper highlighting "brand new fire rings/pits" and "beautiful view of the bluffs." Many campgrounds in the area provide access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and proximity to charming river towns. Kruger Campground in the state forest is described as having "private feeling sites" with good walking trails nearby. Noise from passing trains is mentioned in several reviews of riverfront campgrounds, though most visitors find this a minor inconvenience compared to the scenic beauty. The area's campgrounds balance access to nature with proximity to small-town amenities, making them suitable for various camping preferences.
Best Campgrounds near Nelson (130)
1. Frontenac State Park Campground
"to drive through the same area."
"Quiet, pretty hiking trails, nice people, close to home but tucked away enough to be away from everything"
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability2. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park
"Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."
"Keep watch on the ground to not accidentally step on a snake. They do have Timber Rattlesnake but they are so rare I didn't see one."
from $25 - $250 / night
Check Availability3. Nelson's Landing RV Park
"There was a large open grassy area behind us that our two dogs enjoyed. Brand new fire rings/pits. Beautiful view of the bluffs. Walking distance to several restaurants."
"Walking distance to local restaurants and shops. Just pay online. No worries about checking in."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Big River Resort
"Short drive to Stockholm and Pepin Wisconsin."
from $68 / night
Check Availability5. Kruger Campground and Management Unit
"Nice and tucked away. Sites are very private. Has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing."
"Lovely walking trails. Near Lake Pepin. One negative was orange/rusty water from hand pump well. $14 a night!!! We plan to camp there again."
from $14 / night
Check Availability6. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
"It is only 1 1/2 hours away from the TwinCities which makes it an ideal getaway. The campsites are wooded and have enough distance between them that noise is minimal."
"The lake view was spectacular and the park manager, Joanne was so humble! Joanne lives on the grounds so it made for easy access to any answers we needed while camping."
from $22 - $132 / night
Check Availability7. Kruger Unit - RJD Memorial Hardwood State Forest
"We saw some wells while walking around but they were both broken."
"This is a nice basic campground near Wabasha/Kellogg area. Mississippi is within a few miles. Lark Toys nearby also."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability8. Reicks Lake Park
"Rieck’s Lake is located 3 miles northwest of Alma, Wisconsin. For $15 a night you will enjoy paved camping pad, fire pit, picnic table, coin-operated shower, and restroom."
from $20 / night
Check Availability9. Stockholm Park Campground
"A few campsites right on the river edge. Also sites with Electric. Across the railroad tracks is the nice little village of Stockholm which is famous for the PIE Shop."
"The town of Stockholm is an easy walk with restaurants, baker, gift shops, and art gallery. The campground is first come, first serve."
10. Pioneer Campsite Resort
Drive Time
- 53 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 54 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 4 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 28 min from Minneapolis, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Nelson, WI
179 Photos of 130 Nelson Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pioneer Campsite Resort
Zumbro Bottoms Horse Campground - West
Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
Village Park
Frontenac State Park Campground
North Campground — Merrick State Park
Aefintyr
Island Campground — Merrick State Park
Carley State Park Campground
South Campground — Merrick State Park
Bluff Valley Campgroundh
Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park
Recent Reviews near Nelson, WI
563 Reviews of 130 Nelson Campgrounds
- G
Greg I.
TravelerStoney Creek RV Resort
Can’t tell how close to I-94 you are
Needed last minute RV space near I-94, and this was more than perfect - it is right off I-94, but placement and trees combined remove the traffic noise. It’s perfect for a family, plenty for kids to do
- MMichael A.
ScoutNelson's Landing RV Park
Sprinklers Spray Campers
FHU campground right on the edge of town. Nice level sites. Sprinklers come on every morning and soak the center area. If you come here don’t take a site in the center or you will get sprayed. Grass and weeds are over grown and mosquitos are bad.
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.
JP Master B.ScoutHoffman City Park
A sleepless night
I picked this site for the proximity to the golf course that I’m playing in the morning. A lot of people, a lot of noise being next to the highway but, I can’t sleep in my own house let alone being outside. When I came in and set up at the RV spot instead of the tent. Kurt was kind enough to help me relocate to the correct location. Kudos!
- KKarissa U.Guide
Kruger Unit - RJD Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Kruger Campgrounds
We came to this campsite with our class C RV and although we were able to get in we definitely scratched some tree branches on the roof. Lots of tree cover if you’re using solar or satellite internet. Each campsite has a fire pit and table, no electricity or water. We saw some wells while walking around but they were both broken. There is an outhouse but we didn’t go in as well as a shaded pavilion with picnic tables (where we saw a mother feeding her baby birds) There are multiple hiking trails connected to the campsite and a river nearby. Cheapest campsites here are $17 a night. Same day booking is available on the MN department of natural resources website at
- BBurak B.Scout
Autumn Woods RV Park
Hidden Gem
Quiet, peaceful and well organized. All showers and toilets are clean. Staff and the management are the best. Will return again for longer stay
- FFue X.Scout
RV and ATV Campground
Perfect for atv & rv
Good to use ATV on trails and perfect for RV camping.
First come first serve.
- FFue X.Scout
Snake Creek Campground
No one around
Good for friends and family to camp. No one around, but it's first come first serve.
Guide to Nelson
Camping options around Nelson, Wisconsin center on a mix of established RV parks and rustic state forest sites along the Mississippi River valley. Nelson's Landing RV Park offers water and electric hookups with gravel pads in the town of Nelson, while nearby state parks and forests in Minnesota like Richard J. Dorer State Forest provide more primitive camping experiences. The area features both developed campgrounds with modern amenities and secluded forest sites for a more traditional outdoor experience. Visitors can choose from locations directly on the Mississippi River or tucked into the surrounding bluff country, with accommodations ranging from tent-only sites to full-service RV hookups.
Seasonal considerations shape camping experiences in this region. Most developed campgrounds operate from May through October, with Nelson's Landing RV Park specifically open May 1 to October 31. Winter camping options are limited, though some nearby Minnesota state parks remain open year-round. Water access points along the Mississippi River are subject to seasonal flooding in spring. The area experiences typical Midwest seasonal patterns with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly on summer weekends. A camper noted, "There is a main campground and a bonus sites section. Sites tend to be very long and could accommodate even large-size Class A rigs, though the 'driveways' are a mix of grass and gravel and were not very well defined."
The Mississippi River and surrounding bluffs create a distinctive camping backdrop in this region. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly bald eagles along the river corridor. Reviews indicate the Richard J. Dorer State Forest sites offer more privacy and natural surroundings, with one visitor describing it as "a beautiful, secluded, affordable" option that is "nice and tucked away with very private sites." Train noise is mentioned in multiple reviews of riverfront campgrounds, with railroad tracks running along the Mississippi. Campgrounds in Nelson provide walking access to local restaurants and shops, including the Nelson Creamery, which receives positive mentions from several reviewers. Sites along Lake Pepin, a naturally occurring lake on the Mississippi River, provide water recreation opportunities during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Nelson, WI?
What camping is available near Nelson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Nelson, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Nelson, WI and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Nelson, WI?
Which is the most popular campground near Nelson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nelson, WI is Frontenac State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nelson, WI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nelson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Nelson, WI.
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