Best Campgrounds near Nelson, WI
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.
