Platteville, Wisconsin sits at 999 feet elevation within the Driftless Region, characterized by rolling hills and deep valleys that escaped glaciation during the last ice age. Camping near Platteville offers opportunities to explore this unique landscape with wooded bluffs and proximity to the Mississippi River. Seasonal considerations are important when planning a trip to RV campgrounds in the Platteville area.
What to do
Waterfront activities: At Governor Dodge State Park, visitors can enjoy multiple water recreation options. "There are tons of trails, two beautiful beaches and an incredible waterfall. Some paths are paved for those who struggle with uneven terrain. There are bald eagles all over and plenty of fish," notes one camper.
Hiking opportunities: The trails at Yellowstone Lake State Park provide diverse terrain for day hikes. A visitor describes, "Did about 10mi of hiking. Buggy, but it's June in WI." Another mentions the "Pretty prairie 'Hiking' (more walking in my opinion). The lake is gorgeous though, nice beach too."
Historical sites: The Platteville area provides access to significant architectural landmarks. As one camper at Twin Valley notes, "Nearby are the kitschy House on the Rock and Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Taliesin home and studio." These attractions make excellent day trips from local RV parks near Platteville.
What campers like
Peaceful river views: Grant River Recreation Area offers scenic Mississippi River frontage. A camper shares, "Right on the Mississippi River. Concrete pads and beautiful views of the Mississippi." Another notes its natural beauty: "Stop here on a whim. Loved the view of the Mississippi River."
Spacious campsites: At Palace Campground, campers appreciate the generous site sizes. "If you get along the outsides you have a lot more privacy and better chance they will be level," writes one reviewer. Another mentions, "We stayed in site 73, which they call a double. If the campground is full, it would be pretty tight."
Well-maintained facilities: The cleanliness of facilities receives consistent praise. At Governor Dodge State Park, campers note that "Shower house/restroom was warm & clean" and "Sites are wooded & spacious." One visitor to Yellowstone Lake State Park commented, "Nice shower facilities" and "bathrooms were clean enough."
What you should know
Railroad proximity: Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region. At Blanding Landing, a visitor notes, "Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often. Maybe an hour or 90 minutes with none then there would be three in a very short period. Kind of like living next to an airport."
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the hilly Driftless Region have uneven terrain. At Twin Valley Campground, a camper observed, "If camping with a trailer or RV check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level."
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife may visit your campsite. One Twin Valley camper warns, "Keep your food and garbage locked up and away from your site. The raccoons here are insanely bold, we had one frequently visit our site and get VERY close to us and in the evening ended up ripping thru the roof of our tent."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Off Shore RV Park provides water recreation for children. A visitor notes the "Resort has many options: even camp sites, 4 villas, resort inn rooms. Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been planted as of this date. Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park."
Recreation options: Family-friendly activities abound at Palace Campground. "We have been coming to this campground for over 6 years running now. This is by far my kids favorite place to go camping and we will continue coming here every year," shares one repeat visitor. Another adds, "They host events like mini golf. Swings and playground for kids."
Timing considerations: Most area campgrounds operate seasonally. Governor Dodge State Park has year-round appeal but different seasonal offerings. One off-season camper noted, "Stayed at the Twin Valley campground. Beautiful. Some nice Fall colors. Camped at a non-electric site. While other Wisconsin state parks have shut off most water & closed their shower houses, this park kept these amenities available this late in October."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Yellowstone Lake State Park, choosing the right campsite matters. A visitor advises, "We camped in a 'walk in' spot about 200 feet from where you can park the car. It is very secluded and tree cover allows you to be hidden from all others."
Hookup options: Various RV campgrounds in Platteville Wisconsin and surrounding areas offer different utility connections. At Palace Campground, "There are a lot of sites (125) that range from tent all the way to full hookup. If you aren't worried about sharing a conversation with your neighbor then you can pick anything."
Parking considerations: Site access varies among Platteville area campgrounds. At Twin Valley, one camper shares, "Site 271 was just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff. I did have to walk quite close to one of the other walk-in campsites when going to my car."
