Blackhawk Park
Camping along the river
Nice place with spots at the end with places to fish that over look the Mississippi River
141 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Newton, Wisconsin encompass a range of mixed-use facilities along the Mississippi River and throughout the Driftless Area. Goose Island in Stoddard offers tent and RV camping with boat-in access directly on the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Additional developed campgrounds include Blackhawk Park in Desoto and several locations within Sidie Hollow Park, which features three separate campground areas with varying levels of privacy and amenities. The region includes both established campgrounds with modern facilities and more primitive options for those seeking a more rustic experience.
Road conditions and seasonal variations significantly affect camping opportunities in the area. Most campgrounds operate from mid-April through October, with Goose Island, Blackhawk Park, and the Sidie Hollow campgrounds typically closing by mid-October. As one camper noted, "The Wisconsin Ridge Campground has great views IF you can get one of the sites with a view. Not all view sites are reservable and none have services." Winter camping is limited, though some facilities remain open year-round. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for RV sites with hookups. Travelers should be prepared for mosquitoes and gnats, especially in waterfront locations where insects can be abundant during summer months.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with sites along the Mississippi River being particularly popular. The campgrounds in this region provide access to numerous recreational activities including hiking, biking, and water sports. A visitor mentioned that "Sidie Hollow has no swimming or store, but good hiking/biking trails in the driftless area of SW Wisconsin." Several campgrounds feature boat launches for canoes and kayaks, allowing for exploration of the region's rivers. Tent campers typically find more secluded options in wooded areas, while RV sites often offer better views but less privacy. The terrain throughout the region varies from wooded areas to bluff overlooks, with many campgrounds situated to take advantage of scenic vistas of the Mississippi River Valley.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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."
"Just about 30/40 minutes outside of La Crosse is a quite place called Sidie Hollow Park. You will have patchy phone coverage. If that’s what you are looking for, then you will find it here."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"There are around 20/30 or so site. You can put a tent or small camper on any and be pleased. Nothing to do but connect with nature or take long country drives."
"Nice grassy sites next to a cool creek. Electric but no water hook up. There is an RV fill up and a dump. Stayed in site #34 which has shade all afternoon. Also very level."
"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 Availability"Walk-In Sites If you are looking for privacy, cart-in site 119 is quite a ways off the trail and far from the parking lot, but it's a bit small."
"My site was hike in but the distance was pretty short. There were wagons available for transporting things to sites but I just carried my pack."
from $18 - $110 / night
Check Availability"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."












Nice place with spots at the end with places to fish that over look the Mississippi River
If you want a stop on a drive, or a home base for exploring the local tourist attractions (look up toilet on the side of the road,) this is the place for you! Think about bringing your own drinking water, though, the water from the pumps is a dark red-brown color, either from rust or from tanin.
The bad:
The good:
Castle mound is tight and older sites so you may have to drive the wrong way around the sites in order to setup your camper properly. Single loop for electric and another for tents. Site look decent sized and lots of trees but pretty much exposed visually to all sites. Parking pads are decent but we had a very tall site which complicated it.
It's hard to find using my car GPS. It doesn't work well here. But it's a very good place.
Traveling along the road from Ontario to Wildcat gave a little Appalachia feel. The park is situated above the Kickapoo River valley and is a great base for trout fishing.
If you are in the driftless region looking for camping, this is the spot.
This is a very small campground in the middle of town across from the high school track/football field. It has a handful of grassy sites. River is behind the property. It is located off a fairly busy road. The bike trail and root river (paddling route) is close by. Pretty area.
This is a small primitive campground that has 1 vault toilet. (no shower) Horses are allowed. Fairly close together sites, but a beautiful area to get into nature or go camping at a reasonable price.
This area is getting more developed as the Owl Center will be moving here from the current location on Main Street. You do need to walk several hundred feet to the tent sites. Nature center, natural playground, biking trails, root river with paddling opportunities. This area is part of the drift-less region and known for its rolling landscape.
Located on state forest land there are 2 separate areas right next to each other. The first loop is for smaller vehicles and tents and the larger area should be reserved for larger vehicles with horse trailers. There are hiking and equestrian trails present into the state forest land. There is one vault toilet. No other amenities. Beautiful area!
Campgrounds in the vicinity of Newton, Wisconsin concentrate along the Mississippi River and throughout the Driftless Area, a unique ecological region characterized by forested hills and river valleys. Mixed-use campgrounds like Sidie Hollow County Park with its main campground, ridge campground, and boat landing sites offer tent and RV accommodations with varying levels of amenities. Blackhawk Park along the Mississippi River provides developed campgrounds with electric hookups suitable for both tent campers and RV users. The Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest across the border in Minnesota offers dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from mid-April through October, with most closing during the winter months. Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park provides 27 campsites with options ranging from full hookups to primitive tent sites, and Sidie Hollow County Park features multiple campground areas with varying amenities. "Nice grassy sites next to a cool creek. Electric but no water hook up. There is an RV fill up and a dump," noted one camper about Sidie Hollow's Main Campground. Reservations are recommended for electric sites and holiday weekends, though many primitive sites remain available for walk-ins. The region experiences typical Midwest seasonal patterns with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly appealing for camping.
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty of the Driftless Area as a major draw. The region features unique topography with steep bluffs, scenic valleys, and numerous waterways. One visitor described Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park as having "mountains, valleys, just gorgeous. Clean bathrooms with hot water. Shed with dry wood for purchase." Fishing opportunities abound, particularly for trout in local streams and the Bad Axe River. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables, while some offer showers and electric hookups. Cell service can be limited in the more remote areas, with one camper noting the appeal of Sidie Hollow Park as a place to "step away from time & back to what life is all about" with only "patchy phone coverage." Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the region, with campers reporting sightings of eagles, geese, pelicans, owls, and numerous mammals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Newton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Newton, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 141 campgrounds and RV parks near Newton, WI and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Newton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newton, WI is Goose Island with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Newton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Newton, WI.
Keep Exploring