Camper submitted image from Blackhawk Park - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Blackhawk Park - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Blackhawk Park - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Blackhawk Park - 4
Animals
Camper submitted image from Blackhawk Park - 5
Water

Established Camping

Blackhawk Park

Blackhawk Park, near Desoto, Wisconsin, is a scenic spot along the Mississippi River that offers a laid-back camping experience. With flat sites surrounded by towering trees, it’s perfect for those looking to unwind and soak in nature.

This campground features picnic tables and fire pits, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors and gather around the fire at night. Visitors have noted the park's cleanliness and well-maintained facilities, including hot showers and accessible toilets. One camper mentioned, “The park was clean and maintained,” which speaks to the care taken by the staff.

For outdoor activities, Blackhawk Park is a great base for fishing and exploring the river. Campers have enjoyed watching wildlife, including muskrats and various birds, adding to the natural charm of the area. The park is also conveniently located near the Great River Road, making it easy to explore nearby attractions.

While some sites may feel a bit close together, the overall atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. Whether you’re stopping for a night or planning a longer stay, Blackhawk Park offers a peaceful retreat with plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Mississippi River - Pool 9

Overview

Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi's Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.

Recreation

Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation. Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to natural crafts programs. Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the river.

Natural Features

This peaceful park is situated on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oaks, river birch and willow trees forest the site, offering nice shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Visitors commonly see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, blue herons, ducks, geese, whitetail deer and wild turkey.

Nearby Attractions

The small river towns of DeSoto, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa are nearby. DeSoto is 5 minutes south, Lansing is 15 minutes south with a few restaurants and shops. LaCrosse, Wisconsin is 30 minutes north, with restaurants, shops, galleries and farmers markets. Effigy Mounds National Monument which is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) is located about a 40 minutes south of Blackhawk Park and offers excellent hiking opportunities, and well as picturesque views, and a visitor center, and is free to enter. The Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing Iowa is a short 15 minute drive south, and explores the cultural, recreational, natural, and historical significance of the Driftless Area.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Blackhawk Park is located in Wisconsin

Detail location of campground

Directions

From DeSoto, WI, travel 3 miles north on HWY 35 and turn left on County Road BI. From LaCrosse, WI, travel 25 miles south on HWY 35 and turn right on County Road BI.

Address

E590 CTY RD BI
Desoto, WI 54624

Coordinates

43.462153 N
91.223912 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Blackhawk Park sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

43%
58%
0%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 2, 2022

COE Blackhawk

Flat sites along MS river. Excellent staff.

Site0004
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2021

Quite basecamp

Got into the park after 5pm, so went to my site as office was closed till 6. Discovered sites had no water spigot, so filled up by the office. Sites are fairly flat clay soil, so I didn't have to level much. A thunderstorm didn't create any driving issues. Campground is among tall trees, but I didn't have any issues.

Site24
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Jerry N., September 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Jerry N., September 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Jerry N., September 21, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2021

Great stay here

Stayed here two nights in late August. 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. The trees on this look are amazingly tall and provide great shade. Park was clean and maintained. We didn’t use the pit toilets, but we did walk (~10min)to the other newer loop and used the shower house which was nice and clean. The loop that the shower house is on has very young trees so little shade and the spots seemed closer together so I’d personally steer clear. Nice, quiet, and relaxing.

Site30
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Mark G., August 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Mark G., August 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Mark G., August 21, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Good spot to sleep over on the road

We stopped here to sleep on our way home from a long road trip. The electric sites are like a typical RV park, not much space or privace. 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. The campground is in a beautiful setting and not far off The Great River Road. We enjoyed watching a muskrat family playing in the stream by our site. We would definitely use this campground as a layover again.

Site40 west
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Laura E., July 17, 2021
Reviewed Mar. 7, 2021

Heart wrenching

Beautiful place with a horrible past. Lots of sites and boat launches. Sad history of the place.

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2020

Blackhawk a humbling experience

We had and absolute blast at this national park! The Blackhawk monument is one of a humbling experience. Sad to hear how it all happened.

None the less the fishing was awesome. The people were great, plus you are in distance of 3-4 states within 30 minutes you could be to anyone! The staff check on you and maintain the grounds very well. I only dropped a star because the swimming area is very mediocre. The rest, very good!

  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Amurican L., August 26, 2020
  • Review photo of Blackhawk Park by Amurican L., August 26, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Blackhawk Park have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Blackhawk Park has 50 amp electric hookups and water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Blackhawk Park?

    Blackhawk Park allows vehicles up to 99 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Blackhawk Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Blackhawk Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Blackhawk Park have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Blackhawk Park does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Blackhawk Park?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is poor.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Blackhawk Park?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Blackhawk Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Blackhawk Park, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Blackhawk Park?

    There are 150 campsites at Blackhawk Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts