Best Equestrian Camping near Prairie du Chien, WI

Clifftop camping available. Well kept. Staff is helpful. Lots to do. Short nice ride to prairie du chien.

We stayed on the ridge and enjoyed the tremendous views. This park also has nice hiking trails, good birding, clean bathrooms, recycling drop off, great cell and tv signals and is close to Prairie du Chien. Our site on the ridge was nice. Many of the sites have something that makes set up interesting-slope, angle, tree, retaining was for example, take time to find one that’s good for you.

I camped and hiked at Wyalusing State Park as a kid (like 35 years ago) and returned just this summer. It was a last-minute trip and literally got to pick from three remaining sites so wasn't sure what the experience would be like. Four days/three nights later and I can easily say this park is a good as my childhood memories.

Hiking - there are miles of great hiking trails and two trails for mountain biking. While the trails to Big and Little Sand caves are lovely, they are also heavily trafficked. We found that the Mississippi Ridge Trail to be a lovely walk in the woods - without any people (and that was on Labor Day weekend!)

Campsites: 

I am a car camper with no interest in (E) electric sites, so I did not pay attention nor note good ones. I prefer the silence and relative darkness that non-E sites provide.

We stayed at the Homestead Campground, which consists of four loops named after cardinal directions. Three of the loops are really just a long road with a cul-de-sac at the end, while the fourth is just a big loop with a large green space inside the circle and the loop's water source. This campground's sites are *mostly* among trees, and have a fair amount of privacy (forest understory growth) between sites. Some are further from the road, and very few are right on the road with no screening.

Not surprisingly, the campsites on the three cul-de-sacs seemed the most private and experience the lowest drive-by traffic, but no sites looked awful. In fact, our last minute pick of the remaining three sites was just fine. The entire campground is protected from wind and is very wooded.

If I were to return to this campground, I'd pick 235 and 236 on the west loop, 223, 224 and 225 on the north loop, 209, 210 and 211 on the east loop and 248, 239 and 250 on the south loop. However, you really can't go wrong in this campground.

BATHROOMS: let me wax poetic about the new bathroom/shower block. While I didn't take photos (should have) this is one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in. Not just in a state park, ever. It was built in 2019 and has been treated well by visitors and well maintained by the park and campground hosts. Each gendered bathroom has ample stalls and sinks. There are four single-person showers. All were clean, large and well-lit.

Wisconsin Ridge is the second campground in this state park. This is the quintessential Wyalusing experience with sites overlooking both the Wisconsin and Mississippi River valleys. In my opinion, there is a price to pay for the views. Sites are very close to one another, and most are very close to the road. In some cases, the best (read dry and level)  the best spot to pitch a tent are also close close to the road. Just one side of one road in the loop has the great views, the rest see the view across the road, or in the case of the "inside loop" road, sites are just in the woods. This campground is also noted for its rip-roaring winds, one camper told us that during the rainy and wind night before, their shelter took off and tumbled down the valley - and when they say down, they're talking down, down, down.

That said, if you're looking for a majestic view of both rivers and the quaint river town of Prairie du Chien, the sites you'll want to check out are 119, 127, 129, 122, 144, 146, 148 and 152.

Many different trails for hiking, biking or equestrian. Camp sites are mostly grass. Beautiful park

5/30/20-5/31/20

We went camping on a whim and headed to the state forest since dispersed camping is open. We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple handmade rock fire pits, some rock chairs, tables and lots of space.

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. There is also hiking within this unit and a horse campground. The bugs weren’t too bad, no ticks, no critters and no road noise. It was very quiet and peaceful. I’d highly recommend this section of RJD forest.

In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site. Self registration, trails from/ camp including stream crossings in trout streams. Manure station with tools. Some trails are multiuser.

Backbone is a very diverse area. There are miles of trails. Is hiking your thing? What about equestrian? Maybe mountain bike trails? You can even take the family for a nice leisurely walk on the easier trails. Exploring is fun at this park because there is so much to see. The Trout stream was busy the weekend we were there. You might even want to play a round of Gulf. We have solar on our trailer so we stayed in the Six Pines campground and it was beautiful. We listened to the night animals for hours.

This campground has many things to do. This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping. Fun activities include fishing, swimming in a lake and also ground fed springs, boat rentals on the lake, hiking also horse trails, rock climbing, caves, playgrounds shelters for events and parties. I am sure there are even more things to do that I didnt have the time for.

This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.

Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?

It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.

Activities

Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.

Amenities

Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.

Cost

You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.

https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130

This is an amazing park on the Wisconsin/Iowa border, overlooking where the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers join. I usually try to get in at least 1 trip a year, if lucky enough 2-3. Amazing park with great views, camping, hiking, canoeing/kayaking. Very clean restrooms and showers, tent and trailer camping. If you are lucky enough to get a site on the ridge you won't be disappointed.

2 camping areas, Homestead and Wisconsin Ridge.

Homestead provides secluded, wooded sites with a good distance between them.

Ridge sites have the veiw from high over the Wisconsin River. That view will cost you though: the sites are are very close to each other with little vegatative separation.

There are many burial mounds in the park, and there is an astronomical observatory on site. The only water access that we found was a boat landing on the Mississippi side. High water prevented us from exploring it much.

Nice sites, trails and facilities. Stayed during the week in mid September. Beautiful sites overlooking the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. Great hiking with clean bathrooms and toilets. Private with plenty of room from neighbors for our teardrop.

The views from the Wisconsin Ridge Campground are amazing! Grab a site on the north side of the loop and look out of the bluffs and river. The hiking trails are amazing as well! Great getaway for anyone in the Midwest!

This was my first time at Wyalusing State Park and I am so pleased that I ventured out to this part of Wisconsin. Our campsite was 141 in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground which is a small campground with a peaceful atmosphere. The views from our campsite were stunning since it overlooked the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River. The campsites are in close promixity of one another, but you don't see your neighbors much due to the different elevations throughout the campground. Instead you will see lots of wildlife! During my stay, I saw foxes, deer, eagles, and even skunks - which walked right through our campsite come dusk! But by far, this campsite was one of my favorites because of the view!

There are many different trails to hike at Wyalusing. I would recommend Bluff Trail and make sure you check out Treasure Cave! In the back corner, there is a small tunnel that you can crawl through that leads to a smaller cave! Even though there is no beach are at Wyalusing State Park, they do offer a canoe trail for canoes and kayaks that you can rent and explore the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Outside of the park, there is Wyalusing Public Beach, but when I visited, it was flooded. But with an abundance of other activities, along with breathtaking views, I will definitely be visiting this state park again.

The Wisconsin Ridge Campground has great views IF you can get one of the sties with a view. Not all view sites are reservable and none have services. But if you can snag a view site the view of the Mississippi and Wisconsin River confluence is spectacular. Sites vary a lot in size and view access but there is a video out there which walks through all the sites which can be helpful. The bathroom is modern, showers, and the NOAA weather is constantly on. The fan noise from the restroom can be bothersome if you are sensitive to white noise. Hiking at Wyalusing is exceptional, and the canoe rental option (right from the campground) is fun. Also options for some good biking, Indian mounds, tennis, a modestly stocked concession stand in the campground. Nearby is Prairie du Chein, and what that has to offer.

Although this may be one of the older state parks in Wisconsin, it has been well maintained and updated. Two campgrounds (plus an indoor and outdoor group camp). We stayed in Wisconsin Ridge where, with one exception, you need to choose function over view; we chose the views. For one night, this was the right choice! (The interior sites have electric). Note that some sites are very small. Concession stand in the summer and weekends in September and October. Bathrooms were large but lots of paper debris on the floor (we were there on a Monday so perhaps it had not yet been cleaned from the weekend) Large tiled shower rooms (individual) with a chair but NO Hooks to hang towel or toiletries from. Would have liked to go on the hiking trails but the mosquitoes were still bad. Next time - we will be back!

Located on the far western edge of Wisconsin this state park offers a little of everything - hiking trails connected to the camp grounds, boat access to the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, overlook of where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River, showers and flush toilets, playground/basketball/tennis courts, etc. Depending on what part of the park you are in (and the season) you can be away from it all or have almost all the comforts of home. There are 2 campgrounds within the park - Homestead (back in the woods and a little more rustic with vault toilets and no showers) and Ridge (on the bluff). Also both an indoor group site and outdoor group site. Campsites are mix of RV (+/- electric) and tent. Ridge Campground sites- located on the bluff they stay dry even when the rivers are at flood level. Some sites have views of the river right from the tent/RV. During peak season you will definitely need a reservation (likely months in advance), but there are a few same day spots held in reserve. Also during peak season there is a concession stand near the campground and boat rental (canoe/kayak) near the boat launch (neither were open when I camped there but were on a separate day trip)

A short drive from the state park is Effigy Mounds National Monument with additional trails and a reverse of the scenic view (looking south and east instead of west/northwest). Definitely worth a look since its FREE and so close by. Also in the area is Villa Louis (historical homestead) which can be toured for a modest fee (good rainy day activity). If coming from Madison area be sure to check out some of the small wineries along the drive either to or from the park.

Wyalusing State Park is located in the Southwest corner of Wisconsin athe the Iowa border and where the Wisconsin River empties into the Mississippi River. The views are spectacular anywhere in the park, from your campsite to picnic area! This offers more than at first sight! There is an star observatory which seems to be open on Saturday's, it was not open when I was there but information is available at the park office. There are plenty of of hiking trails and picnic areas as well. The Bluff trail was my favorite of the trails and it leads you to Treasures Cave and many spectacular views along the bluff. The park has NO SWIMMING! but does offer a boat landing and fishing pier. Be prepared to walk through knee high water if you want to use the pier! The park offers many shelters for rent as well as a playground and concession building. The concession building offers ice cream treats, shirts, sweatshirts, post cards, drinks, live bait, canoe and kayak rentals and much more,. The store does accept debit cards! There is also a camp store just before the entrance of the park which sells some necessities as well as campood for $3 compared to the parks $5. If you want more conveniences and necessities you have another 20-25 min. drive to the city of Prarie du Chein. There are some restaurants as well as a Walmart. If in Prarie du Chein you might as well take a drive over to Marquette Iowa and check out the small town and shops as well. The campgrounds here are gems! There are 2 family campgrounds, an indoor group campground, and outdoor group campground. The indoor group campground is intended for organized groups. The outdoor group is your typical group campground in grassy areas and few trees. The two family campgrounds offer showers and flush toilets. A new shower and bathroom building was constructed in2018 in the Homestead Campground. The Homestead Campground is a little more secluded with no bluff views. The 244 loop offers the best sites as the are well shaded and deep as well as wide. The Wisconsin Ridge Campground is where the views are at. It is buiser and the showers and bathrooms aren't as clean and new. This is also where the concession building is located. The view of the Wisconsin River emptying into the Mississippi, the sight of watching Bald Eagles, and beautiful sunsets might be hard to pass compared to the Homestead Campground.

I stayed for one night on my drive down the Mississippi. Easy campground, toilets were clean and showers were warm. Beautiful sunset from the ridge. Take a look at the campsite map before booking because half of the campsites at Wisconsin Ridge have beautiful views and half are in the woods. Did a good 3 mile hike in the AM from the campground. Lots of mosquitos.

Wow - well done, Wisconsin. What a beautiful park to pull into after a long day of driving. Lovely drive in to the park and then to pull up to an immaculate campsite was a treat. Fireflies emerged as we began to setup camp and we watched the sunset over the Missippi before calling it a night. Great facilities, easily accessible and my only regret is we couldn't spend more time here! We'll visit on our next cross country trip for sure.

We have camped there twice this year, so far. If you can get one of the walk up sites on the bluff overlooking The Wisconsin River, you will see amazing sunrises and sunsets. You can see for miles. I sat in my chair over the 4th July week and watched 7 different fireworks shows. The trails are not difficult. You will see beautiful rock formations, effigies, wildlife and waterfalls. The bathrooms are clean, a new one opened this year, and the showers are hot.

Decided to randomly pick out a state park to visit and this is what I picked. Wanted to get away for a few days with Dexter the dog and check out the area. Very relaxing, aside from the bugs; mosquitoes and gnats seemed to be on steroids those few days. Other than that not bad at all. Picked a campsite on the ridge, unfortunately the view was mostly trees blocking the view of the Wisconsin River, but can’t complain. Campsites next to me further down had more of an unobstructed view though. Had a bald eagle sitting in the trees 50ft away from the site so that was cool.

Wyalusing State Park is a lovely, peaceful park and camp ground perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. The camping facilities when we visited were accessible, clean, and well maintained. There are campsites that hug the edge of the bluff and offer stunning views of the Mississippi and river valley below, and sites offer both electric and non-electric options. While there are no swimming pools or structured activities for families while we visited (early August during the week) there were plenty of accessible trails, a playground, canoe/kayak rental and launch site, and tennis courts/sand pits, etc. The bathrooms and showering facilities were very clean. There is a small store that sells concessions, firewood and ice, and even sold us a single stick of butter when we needed some for our cookout.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon. The campsite was clean and available as soon as we arrived. We were on site #137 in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground right on the bluff, the view was beautiful! You can't go wrong with any of the bluff side campsites. The bathrooms were clean and the showers were hot! The weather radio is on constantly in the bathrooms which is nice because it keeps you up to date. We ended up leaving Saturday evening due to tornado watch, flash flood warnings, and torrential rain. I'm glad we did because I heard on the news the area go 6+ inches of rain that evening.

We rented a canoe and kayak from the concession stand. The boat landing within the park was convenient and easy to use. We were even able to fish from the dock. We will definitely be planning a trip back to this state park.

This and definitely one of the good ones.

The trails to hike and views to see were amazing! Stayed on the ridge which offered an amazing view! Nice bathrooms, nice showers, and helpful friendly staff.

This will definitely be a place to return to.

Beautiful and full of wonderful trails!

As others have mentioned, there are two campgrounds at Wyalusing State Park. We stayed in the ridge campground which sites are first come, first serve. Some of the best sites are booked solid from spring-fall so arrive on time! The sites on the ridge offer some of the best views you can get from a campground on the western side of the state. They do not offer as much privacy and they are a little smaller. If you are more interested in privacy, check out the Homestead campground (the other campground at Wyalusing). The Homestead campground is wooden and more secluded. Also, the showers are there!

Plenty to do for activities. Great hiking and kayaking here! There's a canoe trail with backwater access of the Mississippi. Bring your kayak or rent a canoe!!