Campground

Blackhawk Park

Mississippi River - Pool 9 · DESOTO · Wisconsin — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Blackhawk Park campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · Photo by Dean Klinkenberg

Weekend availability at Blackhawk Park

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 11:44 PM PT
  • Fri, Sep 18
    Open
    35/75 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Open
    42/76 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    26/68 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    31/68 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    42/68 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    60/68 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
150
Electric sites
77
Water hookups
2
Pull-through
8
Group Shelter ElectricStandard ElectricStandard No Hookup

About this campground

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.

Getting there

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.

Elevation
629 ft
Contact
608-648-3314

Activities

  • DAY USE AREA
  • KAYAKING
  • SWIMMING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
  • BOATING
  • CANOEING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Blackhawk Park

Popular Wisconsin campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Blackhawk Park around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.