Tall trees and direct Mississippi River access define the experience at Blackhawk Park, a US Army Corps of Engineers campground set within campgrounds around Mississippi River - Pool 9 along the Wisconsin bluffs near De Soto. The campground runs from April through October, with nightly rates between $18 and $40. Sites are spread across multiple loops, and the layout matters: the older loop features notably tall trees with dense shade and sites that feel more spread out, while the west loop has younger trees, less overhead cover, and sites that sit closer together.
Water access is a consistent draw. Non-electric sites tend to position campers closer to the river's edge, and fishing spots overlooking the Mississippi are reachable from the far end of the campground. Kayakers have launch options on site. AT&T users generally report workable cell service; T-Mobile coverage is spotty. The campground also has a dump station and potable water, and reservations are available, which matters on holiday weekends when sites fill quickly.
Facilities include vault toilets throughout and one shower building, roughly a ten-minute walk from the older loop. The showers are described as "nice, hot and clean" by Laura E.. Hookup sites accommodate RVs up to 99 feet with electric and water connections. Site 40 West in the hookup loop runs large but sits near the pit toilets, worth factoring into reservations. Our Forest, about two miles southeast, gives campers a smaller, more wooded alternative if Blackhawk's loop-style layout isn't the right fit.
Description
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.
Facilities
The campground offers 150 campsites, including 73 with electrical hookups. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring provided. Flush toilets and showers are located in the West Camping loop. There are no full-hook up sites but a dump station and potable water are located within the park. The park also has a beach, two picnic shelters, two boat ramps, two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, fishing docks.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlackhawk Park is located in Wisconsin near De Soto
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
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 20 usersLast on 8/1/26- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 20 usersLast on 8/1/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
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
Drive Time
- 33 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 32 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 52 min from Dubuque, IA
- 2 hrs 10 min from Waterloo, IA
