Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Blackhawk Park in De Soto, Wisconsin is a hidden gem for campers seeking a peaceful retreat in the great outdoors. During our 13-day stay in August 2024, we were fortunate to secure a prime riverside campsite, offering us a front-row seat to the Mighty Mississippi. In this guide, we’ll share our firsthand experience, providing you with all the essential details you need to plan your own stay at Blackhawk Park Campground. From campsite tips and amenities to nearby activities and our personal review, this post covers everything you need to know for an unforgettable camping adventure in this picturesque corner of Wisconsin.
About Blackhawk Park
Blackhawk Park
US Army Corps of Engineers
St. Paul District
#590 Cty Rd. BI, De Soto, Wisconsin 54624
Recreation.gov page
The US Army Corps of Engineers’ Blackhawk Park is located along Pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi River in southwest Wisconsin. This site also has historical significance, because it was the site of the Battle of Bad Axe- the final battle of the Blackhawk War. There is a historical marker inside the park, which is part of the Vernon County Black Hawk Trail driving tour.
A map of Blackhawk Park can be found online here.
2024 Flooding
An important note- We stayed at Blackhawk Park in August 2024, and during that time both the Upper and Lower campground loops were closed from recent flooding, so some information is missing from this guide. The West Loop where we stayed was able to remain open because it’s on dredged river material, and was built up higher than the natural topography.
Blackhawk Park Campground Drive-Through
Army Corps of Engineers Blackhawk Park Campground
Campsites
Blackhawk Park has 150 campsites, 73 of which have electric hookups. There are also 3 sets of double sites. These sites share a drive, but are reserved separately- Sites #32/33, 35/36, and 38/39. RV sites are mostly back-in, but there are a few pull-through sites as well.
Campsites at a glance:
- Upper Loop- 39 sites total
- West Loop- 34 sites total
- Lower Loop & Boathouse Area- tent camping only
- Pull-Through Sites: #1, 22, 23, 24, 37, 58, 69, 70
- 30 and 50 amp available
- Waterfront Sites: #40-57
For the non-electric sites, reservations are available but are not site specific. This means you can reserve space in the non-electric camping area, but specific locations are first come first served.
All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. One nice thing about most of the sites is that besides the camping pad, there is an extra parking spot- perfect for a boat trailer or extra car.
Campground Amenities
Showerhouse
There is one shower house, in the West Loop. The website says that the shower house is coin operated, and you can see where it used to be- but it is now free. Josh would rate the showers as good, and I would rate them as ok. There was good pressure and temperature, but they were not the nicest shower.
Dump Station
The dump station is near the entrance of the park. It was easy to maneuver and clean. We also really appreciated that this campground has recycling (both at the dump station and within our campground loop).
Water
The water situation during our stay was a little confusing, but a nice ranger helped explain everything. We pulled up to a spigot in our campground loop, and there was a note that the water had tested as not recommended for drinking (but ok for cleaning), but the note said to use the spigot near the camp host in the Upper Loop. Except the Upper Loop was closed from flooding. So we went up to the dump station. Two were labeled as drinking water, but with notices about the Manganese levels. The ranger explained to us that the spigot by the camp host (when the loop is open) and one specific one in the dump station are run through an extra filter at the ranger shop- so those were good to drink. Technically the other water is safe to drink for most people, though, and the levels of Manganese are mostly dangerous to babies and older folks.
Blackhawk Park Campground Fees and Policies
How much does camping at Blackhawk Park cost? Standard electric sites are $26/night and non-electric sites are $18/night.
Can I Change or Cancel my Reservation at Blackhawk Park? You can add or remove nights or change campsites for no additional fee. If you are completely changing your dates there is a $10 change fee. You can cancel your reservation anytime before your arrival date for a partial refund. A $10 cancellation fee will be deducted from your refund, and any reservation fees or previous change fees will not be refunded. If you cancel after midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled arrival there will be an additional late fee equal to the first night’s fee.
How Long Can I Camp at Blackhawk Park? Stays are limited to 14 days in a 30 day period.
What Rules Do I Need to Know to Camp at Blackhawk Park?
- Checkout is 2pm
- Quiet hours are 10pm-6am (no generators during quiet hours)
- Each site is allowed 1 wheel unit + 1 tent or 2 tents
- Maximum 8 people per site
- No unlicensed vehicles allowed (golf carts, ATVs, etc.)
- Pets must be on 6ft. leash
- No firearms or fireworks allowed
Our Experience and Review of Blackhawk Park Campground
Our 13 days at Blackhawk Park were very peaceful. The campground was nice and quiet, even when it was full. One thing we found interesting was the amount of campers coming and going mid-week. We’re used to campgrounds that fill up on weekends and empty out during the week, but everyday there were new people coming in and leaving. Most of the people camping at Blackhawk had boats with them, and were mainly from Iowa and Wisconsin (so probably somewhat local). The camp hosts and park rangers we talked to were all friendly and helpful.
We stayed in Site 55, which was right along one of the back channels of the Mississippi. We were able to launch our kayak right from our campsite, and other neighbors even moored their boats at their sites. The site was very spacious and had a good level gravel pad, but there was only a little shade.
Activities at Blackhawk Park
Boating
Blackhawk Park has 2 boat launches- one located on the main channel of the Mississippi River and one on Green Lake, which is part of the backwaters of the river. There is a small fee for both campers & non-campers and a self-serve fee station at the entrance to the park. These are very popular boat launches and we almost always saw the parking lots full.
The boat launch is $5 per vehicle, or there is a $40 annual tag. It is also free if you have an American the Beautiful pass.
Blackhawk Park is also great access for canoeing and kayaking, and is part of the Upper Mississippi Blue Heron Water Trail.
Fishing
Blackhawk Park is very popular for fishing. There is access to the main channel and backwaters of the Mississippi River. At each of the 2 boat launches there is a fishing cleaning station, and there are many access points to the water from fishing piers and shoreline.
Blackhawk Park is along Pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi River, which is home to over 119 species of fish. Popular fish are walleye, large & smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and northern pike. The Mississippi River has some unique fishing regulations, since it borders multiple states, check with the Wisconsin DNR for more information.
Swimming
Blackhawk Park has a small swim beach along the river. This is a sandy beach along part of the backwaters. Note- there is no lifeguard here.
Recreation
Some of the other activities available at Blackhawk Park are 2 playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, and reservable picnic shelters.
Near Blackhawk Park
Groceries and Gas Near Blackhawk Park
Just under 15 minutes away, the nearest grocery store to Blackhawk Park is the IGA in Lansing, Iowa. If you’re looking for a larger store, Viroqua and La Crosse both have Walmarts that are about 30 minutes from the campground.
Gas is available right on the main road in De Soto at the Pronto.
Fun Things to Do Near De Soto, Wisconsin
If you’re looking for things to do less than 30 minutes from De Soto, there are a few options that we thought were great! Our top pick would be the Great River Road Interpretive Center and Genoa National Fish Hatchery. These are at the same location and were super fun and interesting. The Interpretive Center has great exhibits on the history of the area, and the fish hatchery has a ton to explore! You can walk the grounds anytime during daylight hours, but if you go during open hours you can also go into any of the hatchery buildings you’d like.
Another great option for a fun activity near De Soto is the Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing. This 3-story nature center is one of the best we’ve ever been to!
If you’re looking for hiking near De Soto, Wisconsin, the Mississippi Valley Conservancy maintains several properties in the area. A few of the nearby trails, like Cardinal Bluff and Romance Woods are even part of their 2024-2025 Trail Trek Challenge. If you complete 5 of the 18 designated hikes you can earn a sticker!
Towns Near De Soto, Wisconsin
Ready to venture a little further? There are several towns less than an hour from De Soto that are worth a day trip!
Things to Do in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Head north to La Crosse to explore a mix of history, industry, and nature. If you’re a museum lover, check out the La Crosse County Historical Society, Historic Hixon House Museum, or Dahl Auto Museum. There’s also a Children’s Museum if you’re travelling with the whole family!
La Crosse is home to not only several breweries, but also the World’s Largest Six-Pack. There are also plenty of trails in and just outside of town. Grandad Bluff Park is especially popular with locals, as are the trails of Hixon Forest. You can take in views of the city from the Rim of City trail.
Things to Do in Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Viroqua is the county seat for Vernon County and is an absolutely charming small town! Our favorite stop was Driftless Books and Music, which is thought to be Wisconsin’s largest used bookstore. The vibes here were amazing. The Vernon County Museum is also located in Viroqua.
Downtown, there are lots of cute and quirky shops and restaurants to explore. We visited the Public Market, stopped in Bluedog Cycles, grabbed pizza and drinks at Tangled Hickory, and ended the day at Magpie Gelato.
Things to do in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
If you head south from De Soto, you can visit the town of Prairie du Chien, but on your way there you’ll also probably want to stop at Effigy Mounds National Monument, which has over 200 prehistoric mounds.
History lovers should take a tour of Villa Louise Historic Site and check out the Fort Crawford Museum. Then grab lunch at The Porch, do some shopping at The Cannery, and check out Valley Fish & Cheese.
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