Camping in the Onalaska region centers on the Mississippi River floodplain, with elevations ranging from 640 to 1,240 feet in nearby bluff country. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F, ideal for riverside camping from May through September. Campgrounds in this area regularly experience spring flooding, particularly in low-lying areas near the Mississippi River backwaters.
What to do
Paddle backwaters: Goose Island Campground provides excellent access to Mississippi River backwater exploration. "Perfect place to kayak and explore the backwaters of the Mississippi. You can put in or take out at the boat landing," notes one visitor who recommends consulting the canoe trail map available at the campground.
Bike connecting trails: Veterans Memorial Park & Campground connects directly to regional bike infrastructure. "This park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east and directly to La Crosse Great River Trail to the northwest," explains one reviewer, highlighting its popularity with touring cyclists.
Winter cross-country skiing: Great River Bluffs State Park maintains 9 miles of groomed trails requiring a Minnesota Ski Pass. "Winter would be good. There are 9 miles of groomed X-country ski trails; you need a MN Ski Pass," recommends a visitor who notes the campground operates year-round.
Fish multiple species: River's Edge Campground offers fishing opportunities along the Black River. According to visitors, the area supports "water, fishing, tubing" activities, with multiple access points for anglers seeking river species.
What campers like
Cart-in sites for seclusion: Great River Bluffs State Park offers walk-in camping options with more privacy. "We camped one night here at the cart-in campsites. Sites were nice with fire pits, nearby vault toilets (2 of them and super clean with TP and hand sanitizer), and an easy path to get to and from car," explains one camper who appreciated the setup.
Riverfront camping: Pettibone Resort provides sites directly on the Mississippi. "Here for a soccer tournament this weekend. Have a spot right on the river. Wonderful campground," shares one visitor who enjoyed the proximity to downtown La Crosse.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Perrot State Park Campground offers excellent bird watching. One visitor shared: "We even had a white raven spend a few days with us which was wild!" Another mentioned the "binoculars; the river valley is a great viewing area for waterfowl, eagles, and hawks."
Fall camping for colors: Several campgrounds offer exceptional autumn views. "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!!!" reports one camper at Great River Bluffs.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Several riverside campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. "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)," warns a Great River Bluffs camper.
Nitrate water advisories: Some campgrounds have drinking water restrictions. At Perrot State Park, "There were signs posted that the drinking water cannot be boiled, nor can it be given to babies or elderly due to high nitrates," reports one camper who recommends bringing your own water.
Flooding concerns: Low-lying campgrounds experience regular closures. Goose Island "would be even better if it wasn't all under water this summer. Our site on the river was under water, so we got moved to another," explains one visitor, noting this is a common occurrence on the floodplain.
Mosquito preparation essential: Bug protection is necessary, especially in riverside locations. "The bugs and mosquitos were almost unbearable. We fogged the site daily, had thermacells, and coated ourselves in bug spray - still came home completely bit up," cautions a camper at Perrot State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Neshonoc Lakeside offers multiple swimming options for children. "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here. The top pool 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," explains one family.
Playground locations: Veterans Memorial Park provides multiple play areas. One visitor notes: "This park has baseball fields, playgrounds, a couple of group shelters, volleyball courts, and tons of space for activities," making it ideal for active families.
Organized activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled programming. At Neshonoc Lakeside, "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around - candy for kids and lots of dancing. Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy and adults amused," according to one family visitor.
Beach-playground combinations: Goose Island offers convenient setup for parents. One visitor points out, "one of the things I like best is the playground is on the beach. My kid really loves that!"
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Several campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. At River's Edge, "nightly camping sites are stacked on each other so no privacy" while Blueberry Fields Forever offers more spacious but rustic alternatives with "no water or electric hookups."
Concrete pad availability: Pettibone Resort provides improved RV parking surfaces. "The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites," notes one RVer who found this helpful for stabilizing their travel trailer.
Off-season availability: Frickson Family Farms offers overnight RV parking with basic amenities. "We pulled in from a long driving day. We were greeted by our host. She was very friendly and explained where the site was," reports one RVer who found this farm-based option convenient and peaceful.
Spring flood awareness: Water level monitoring is essential for planning. "This campground is right on a flood plain, and would be even better if it wasn't all under water this summer," warns a Goose Island visitor, suggesting checking ahead during spring melt periods.
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