Galesville, Wisconsin provides access to several riverside campgrounds nestled along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with full hookup sites and is open from April through October. Perrot State Park Campground, located near Trempealeau about 10 miles west of Galesville, features camping with scenic bluff views overlooking the Mississippi River. River's Edge Campground on the Black River provides additional options with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Most developed campgrounds in the area include electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities.
The camping season generally runs from April through October, with some facilities like Perrot State Park remaining open year-round. A visitor commented, "This area is beautiful. Awesome bluff views of the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers and definitely worth the hike up for them." Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Perrot State Park requires both camping fees and an additional daily vehicle pass. Water quality can vary, with some locations reporting seasonal water advisories. The region experiences significant mosquito activity during summer months, particularly in sites near water. Road conditions are generally good with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads, though some sites may present leveling challenges for larger RVs.
Hiking trails with Mississippi River views represent a significant attraction for campers in the Galesville area. Several visitors highlight the challenging but rewarding hiking at Perrot State Park, with one reviewer noting that "The hiking trails are very well marked" and another mentioning "The hikes are a great work out and the reward is always a great view of the Mississippi." Water recreation opportunities abound, with boat access at several campgrounds and paddling opportunities on the Mississippi and Black rivers. Campgrounds range from family-oriented resorts with numerous activities to quieter, more natural settings. Sites vary significantly in privacy levels, with some reviewers mentioning spacious sites at Perrot State Park with "nice vegetation between sites" while others note that commercial campgrounds can have more densely arranged accommodations.
$39 / night
"Located among driftless Wisconsin, Perrot SP is a great place to camp. The highlight of this park are the hiking trails created by the CCC."
"There is a rail line that runs along between the Mississippi and the park edge, campsites are away from this but still can be heard as well as motor boats on the River."
$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."
$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."
"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."
"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"
"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!"
$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 ."
$58 - $83 / night
LegendThis is a very small campground in the middle of town across from the high school track/football field. It has a handful of grassy sites. River is behind the property. It is located off a fairly busy road. The bike trail and root river (paddling route) is close by. Pretty area.
LegendThis is a small primitive campground that has 1 vault toilet. (no shower) Horses are allowed. Fairly close together sites, but a beautiful area to get into nature or go camping at a reasonable price.
LegendThis area is getting more developed as the Owl Center will be moving here from the current location on Main Street. You do need to walk several hundred feet to the tent sites. Nature center, natural playground, biking trails, root river with paddling opportunities. This area is part of the drift-less region and known for its rolling landscape.
LegendLocated on state forest land there are 2 separate areas right next to each other. The first loop is for smaller vehicles and tents and the larger area should be reserved for larger vehicles with horse trailers. There are hiking and equestrian trails present into the state forest land. There is one vault toilet. No other amenities. Beautiful area!
LegendThis is a tucked away campground off a few miles of gravel near Spring Grove, MN. It has a pool and activities found at many KOAs. There is a beautiful creek going through the property and is a very beautiful area known as the driftless region.
LegendThis campground offers a few sites (on the smaller side) in a private area, but within town limits. There is a frisbee golf course present and it is just downhill from the football field. Spring Grove is a cute town with a strong German ancestry roots.
LegendA handful of rustic type sites in the town. This is directly across from the football field, a nice outdoor basketball court and a park.
LegendThis small campground is at the county fairgrounds in the city of Preston, MN. It has basic sites that are fairly good sized. Located within a few hundred yards of the river and the bike trail. Downtown businesses are walkable.
TravelerDog friendly, quiet and nice showers. The water sites enjoy a beautiful view across the 640 lake. You can pull your boat right up to many of the sandy beach campsites and swim right there too. Great campground for family groups.
Camping spots near Galesville, Wisconsin range from riverside facilities to bluff-top parks with Mississippi River views. The region lies within the Driftless Area, characterized by steep limestone ridges and deep valleys that escaped glaciation during the last ice age. Many campsites experience dense morning fog from May through September due to proximity to water and the unique topography.
Kayaking on backwaters: At Merrick State Park Campground, paddlers can explore the Mississippi River's quieter channels. "The shore consists of large rocks to prevent erosion so a canoe would have been difficult to put in but it was easy to 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 who adds that "boat traffic on the channel does get heavy at times and they do go rather fast so beware."
Explore heritage sites: Seasonal historical displays provide educational opportunities for campers. At Pettibone Resort, visitors can learn about local history. "The Saturday we were there they had a heritage camp set up to learn about how things were done in the past," reports a camper who stayed in summer 2022.
Disc golf access: Prairie Island City Campground integrates camping with recreational facilities. "My kid loves all the playgrounds. The whole tent camping area is in the middle of a frisbee golf course so lots of foot traffic by the sites," mentions a visitor. This layout provides convenient access to activities but less privacy for tent campers.
Wildlife viewing: Great River Bluffs State Park Campground offers opportunities to spot native species. "We saw a cardinal and 3 hummingbirds because they came to hang out right in our campsite! The fireflies at night were an added bonus," shares one camper. The park's location along migratory routes makes it particularly good for birdwatching.
Water access variety: Veterans Memorial Park & Campground provides different options for water recreation. "I love the fact that I can take her hiking here and not have to worry. The slow peaceful kayaking almost feels like time stops for a moment and you can actually reconnect with nature," notes one local visitor. The La Crosse River wraps around the campground, creating multiple access points.
Private campsites: Several campgrounds offer well-separated sites with natural barriers. "The sites are spacious and private and the fire rings are massive! We even had a white raven spend a few days with us which was wild," reports a camper at Perrot State Park. Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and specific site locations.
Water quality concerns: Seasonal water advisories affect some campgrounds. "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," explains a visitor to Perrot State Park in late September.
Flooding potential: Sites near rivers may experience seasonal flooding. At Frickson Family Farms, one visitor shared, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night. Thank you. Mississippi was over flowing this flood plain and yet still beautiful and want to return." River levels rise significantly during spring melt and after heavy rains.
Train noise: Railway lines run near several campgrounds in the area. "However, two thirds of us slept no more than 4 hours total. 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," notes a camper at Great River Bluffs, adding that there were "half dozen trains that ran through the night (horns going off too)."
Activity options: Champions Riverside Resort offers numerous family-oriented facilities. "The kids stuff was busy at all times showing us with older children how happy the kids were. Our teenagers were still engaged in the activity of camping. We brought their bikes along which was fun to hit the bike trails at midway," reports a visitor who noted the campground also "charters a canoe trip."
Playground access: Multiple campsites provide play areas for children. "This Campground offered beautiful views of the Mississippi river Trempealeau bay, rock formations And most excellent hiking trails," shares a visitor about Perrot State Park. Veterans Memorial Park features "baseball fields, playgrounds, a couple of group shelters, volleyball courts, and tons of space for activities."
Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly for children. "We fogged the site daily, had thermacells, and coated ourselves in bug spray - still came home completely bit up," shares one camper at Perrot State Park. Morning and evening hours typically have the highest mosquito activity, especially in riverside locations.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the area require adjustment. "Site was a little unlevel. Neighbors are close," notes an RVer who stayed at Pettibone Resort in a travel trailer. The campground has "asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites," which helps with parking but may still require leveling blocks.
Electrical options: Different amperage hookups are available at various campgrounds. Pettibone provides "20A/30A electric and water" at some sites, while other campgrounds offer 50-amp service for larger rigs. Veterans Memorial Park provides electric hookups with standard amenities including "drinking water, showers, toilets, trash, and water hookups."
RV size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions or challenges for larger vehicles. At Great River Bluffs, the narrow roads can make maneuvering difficult. RVers should call ahead to confirm site dimensions, as the online information isn't always complete regarding maximum length accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations for camping at Galesville Reservoir?
While the Galesville Reservoir specifically doesn't appear in our data, camping in the Galesville area generally requires reservations, especially during peak season. At similar water-adjacent locations like Merrick State Park Campground and Reicks Lake Park, reservations are recommended to secure your spot. Some smaller campgrounds in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but it's always safer to book ahead, particularly for weekend stays during summer months.
What amenities does Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville offer?
Champions Riverside Resort near Galesville offers full-service amenities for campers seeking comfort. The resort features reservable sites with drive-in access, water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. For comparison, other resorts in the region like Oakdale KOA offer full hookups for RVs including electricity, water, and sewer connections. Champions is designed to accommodate families with convenient facilities while providing access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Galesville area.
What campgrounds are available in Galesville, Wisconsin?
Galesville, Wisconsin and the surrounding area offer several camping options. Champions Riverside Resort is located near Galesville and provides drive-in access with reservable sites. The broader area includes Goose Island south of La Crosse with friendly staff and a camp supply store. Other nearby options include Veterans Memorial Park & Campground and Perrot State Park Campground. These locations offer varying amenities and environments, from riverside settings to more wooded experiences.
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