The Mississippi River valley near Trempealeau, Wisconsin encompasses several developed campgrounds including Perrot State Park, a popular camping destination situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers. The region includes numerous established camping areas ranging from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV campgrounds. Campground options extend north to Merrick State Park along the Mississippi River and east to Goose Island, offering visitors a mix of riverside and bluff-top camping experiences. Most campgrounds provide electric sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails with scenic overlooks of the river valley.
Seasonal considerations significantly affect campground availability in the Trempealeau area, with many facilities operating from April through October. Winter camping is limited but available at select locations like Perrot State Park, which operates year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when riverside sites fill quickly. The area experiences typical Midwest seasonal variations with humid summers and cold winters. Campers should be prepared for occasional high water conditions along the Mississippi River, particularly during spring runoff periods. River access is a notable feature of many campgrounds, though water quality concerns have been reported at some locations. According to one visitor, "Notices were posted that the water was not safe for drinking and that it should not be boiled due to high levels of nitrates."
Campers consistently highlight the dramatic bluff views and river scenery as primary attractions of camping in this region. Hiking trails at Perrot State Park, particularly Brady's Bluff trail, receive frequent praise for panoramic Mississippi River valley vistas. The area's camping experience is enhanced by proximity to water recreation, with multiple boat launches and paddling opportunities mentioned in reviews. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with reviewers noting bird watching as a popular activity. Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby train lines, particularly at Merrick State Park. Several reviews mention the well-maintained trails created by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A visitor commented that Perrot State Park has "beautiful views along the Trempealeau river flowage and the Mississippi River" though noted there is "no beach on site, which is a downer for families that want to play in the water."
$39 / night
"The campground is located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers)."
"The nice little town of trempealeau is close by with a cool old hotel and some fun bars. Highly recommended."
$24 / night
"I enjoy camping away from the hub bub of the family campground and opting for the backpack or cart in sites. Luckily, Great River Bluffs has some of the nicest cart ins I have encountered."
"The cart in sites all have a fire pit with a grill, picnic table, and are a short walk from the primitive toilets. There is a water spigot in the parking area."
"This campground is a home away from home. We found this campground through this app, and was very happy with our stay. We had one of the primitive sites on the river front, and it was huge!"
"Clean bath house and convenient outdoor bathroom buildings around the grounds. The road along the river is narrow making it hard to back your camper into the riverfront sites if you have neighbors."
$28 - $30 / night
"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."
$30 / night
"Great Harvest Host location super nice family."
"We pulled in from a long driving day .we were greeted by our host . She was very friendly and explained where the site was . Had a great night sleep . This is a good over night stop ."
$30 - $40 / night
"This place is priced around the same as other places you might camp around Wisconsin and I believe is privately owned."
"There is a bar and restaurant within walking distance. A lot of people camp there, the sites are small we still managed to have a good time. We had four campsites next to each other for our group."
"We brought their bikes along which was fun to hit the bike trails at midway. We did find out the campground charters a canoe trip so if we had planned better we will do that next time."
"This is our first Wisconsin state park camping experience. This place is lovely! Nice and secluded. Our site is spacious. Nice deep fire ring with a grill grate. Really close to the river, as well."
"We always bring the kayaks, so the water access offered is why we stay. 3 Campgrounds:
- Island sites offer the best-in-park privacy for a campsite, but they are walk in (carts provided for hauling"
$29 - $999 / night
"We were visiting our daughter in nearby Winona, MN. This place is also close to La Crosse WI. We stayed here three nights."
"Vet's Park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east and it directly to La Crosse Great River Trail to the northwest."
"Great location!"
ScoutGrabbing a spot here in May was ideal- hardly any bugs and few other campers. The sites with nearby water are especially peaceful, and there's plenty of wooded space to explore without worrying about disturbing other campers or damaging wildlife habitat. It can get a bit chilly, being northern, but generally positive.
TravelerNice sites there was some trash around but it is right on the Root river bike trail.
LegendThis campground is on the opposite side of the road as the park office… but on the same side as the beach. Nice new shower building and nice roads. Some sites are a bit on the smaller side, but there are some drive through sites as well. There are also group sites and cabins.
LegendWhitewater SP is a great place to spend time. This campground is the older one on the same side as the store/office. They have a beautiful new shower building.
LegendBeautiful park located near the river. There are many sites and a few have water views. There are a variety of sites available as well from primitive to drive through and even a few “twin”sites where family or friends can camp right next to each other. Some sites are a bit more isolated than others as well for a variety of preferences.
LegendNice large sites in a single loop. This is one of 3 campgrounds in this State park. There are a few river side sites in the loop and mature trees are within the loop. The shower building is in this loop although it’s closed over winter. Vault toilets still available.
LegendThis campground offers many nice sites. Some are more off by themselves and some are right next to each other. There is drive in, cart in, and pull in sites. There is nice ground for renting as well. Many of the sites are on the river. Nice state park! Open year round.
LegendThese sites are in 1 of 3 campgrounds in the State Park. They are technically “hike-in” or “cart-in” but have a very short hike to get to. They are large and have a fire ring and picnic table at each of the on the water sites. Very nice in my opinion!
LegendJust for clarification, the map coordinates are about 2 miles off here. The address brings you to the lock and dam and while there appears to be a 10 hour parking sign, it is just the parking lot. About 2.1 miles north on the road is the small campground and park. This is seasonal camping closed over winter. The campground and the road is on a narrow piece of land between the Mississippi and a ponds/backwaters that has an impressive amount of waterfowl present.
The Mississippi River valley near Trempealeau offers established camping options from April through October, with some locations open year-round. Most campsites in the area feature electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables. Tent campers can find walk-in sites at several locations, while RVers have access to both partial and full-hookup options.
Kayaking on calm waters: Merrick State Park provides excellent paddling access directly from campsites. "We stayed in one of the lower walk in sites. It had a wonderful view and easy water access... I could carry my kayak into the water and paddle across the channel to the kayak/canoe trail that we could see from the campsite," notes one visitor to Merrick State Park Campground.
Bike trail access: Veterans Memorial Park connects directly to regional trail systems. "Vet's Park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east and it directly to La Crosse Great River Trail to the northwest," reports a camper at Veterans Memorial Park & Campground.
Fishing: Both river and pond fishing options exist throughout camping sites near Trempealeau. A reviewer at Pettibone Resort notes they "rented canoes and went out to the river for some good fishing and putzing around." River's Edge Campground also offers "water, fishing, tubing" according to campers.
Riverfront site selection: Pettibone Resort offers direct water access. "If you're on the bay side you can bring your boat and beach it right by your campsite," explains a visitor to Pettibone Resort. Waterfront sites are available at several campgrounds in the area.
Family-focused amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer structured activities for children. "This campground always has something to do. Whether it's a movie night, live music, food trucks, or kayak rentals, there's always something. There is a playground for kids, and clean bathrooms," shares a camper at Prairie Island City Campground.
Spring and fall camping: Shoulder seasons offer fewer mosquitoes and beautiful colors. "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 a camper at Great River Bluffs State Park.
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience train disruptions, particularly at night. "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 camper at Great River Bluffs State Park.
Mosquito management: Bug pressure can be significant, especially near water. "The mosquitos were almost unbearable. We fogged the site daily, had thermacells, and coated ourselves in bug spray - still came home completely bit up," notes one Perrot State Park visitor.
Water quality concerns: Some locations report drinking water issues. "There were signs posted that the drinking water cannot be boiled, nor can it be given to babies or elderly due to high nitrates. But we brought our own water anyways," advises a Perrot State Park camper.
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for easier supervision. Veterans Memorial Park offers "baseball fields, playgrounds, a couple of group shelters, volleyball courts, and tons of space for activities."
Golf cart rentals: Consider renting carts at larger campgrounds for easier mobility. "Definitely worth renting a golf cart for the day as the campground is pretty spread out," suggests a visitor to Champions Riverside Resort.
Walk-in site planning: Bring carts for gear transport if choosing tent sites. At Merrick State Park, "Island sites offer the best-in-park privacy for a campsite, but they are walk in (carts provided for hauling in). Worth the short walk in from the lot for what you get."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven surfaces at some locations. A visitor to Pettibone Resort reports, "It was a grass site with two concrete strips for my TT tires. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side. Site was a little unlevel."
Seasonal planning: Most campgrounds with full hookups close by mid-October. "A little pricey at $54 considering there were no sewer hookups," notes an RV camper at Pettibone Resort regarding value considerations.
Overnight farm stays: Small farm campgrounds offer unique alternatives. "We pulled in from a long driving day. We were greeted by our host. She was very friendly and explained where the site was. Had a great night sleep. This is a good overnight stop," shares a visitor to Frickson Family Farms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Trempealeau, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Trempealeau, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 157 campgrounds and RV parks near Trempealeau, WI and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Trempealeau, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Trempealeau, WI is Perrot State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Trempealeau, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Trempealeau, WI.
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