Blackhawk Park

Location

E590 CTY RD BI
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Policies

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

2:00 PM

Max stay

14 nights

Pets

Allowed (per listing)

Campfires

Allowed (per listing)

About

Blackhawk Park sits on a forested bend of the Mississippi's Pool 9 main channel, positioned roughly seven miles south of Genoa along Wisconsin Highway 35 and only a short drive north of DeSoto (and about 30 minutes south of La Crosse). The site lies within the Corps of Engineers Nine-Foot Navigation Project and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, so you'll regularly see commercial towboats and barges moving along the deep main channel while quieter backwater sloughs and side channels offer a more secluded setting for canoes, kayaks and shallow-draft boats. Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oak, river birch and willow shade the loops and frame vivid fall color; wildlife is plentiful bald eagles, great blue herons, ducks and geese are common, and you may spot whitetail deer or wild turkey. An observation platform beside the river lets visitors watch lock operations and get close-up views of tow traffic, and park rangers run summer interpretive programs such as guided walks, campfire talks and nature crafts. The campground contains 148 sites in total 146 that accommodate both RVs and tents and 2 tent-only sites with a mix of amenities designed for family and water-focused camping. Every campsite includes a picnic table and a fire ring; the West Camping loop houses flush toilets and showers. There are no full-hookup sites, but the park provides a dump station and potable water. Recreational facilities include two boat ramps, fishing docks, a beach, two picnic shelters, two playgrounds, a volleyball court and horseshoe pits, so activities range from boating, fishing and water sports to picnicking and playground play. Because policies, seasonal openings and fees can change, check the managing agency's website or the park's reservation service for up-to-date information before you go; otherwise expect a busy summer season for boating and ranger programs and quieter shoulder seasons for wildlife viewing and backwater exploration. Nearby attractions within easy driving distance include the small river towns of DeSoto and Lansing, the Driftless Area Visitor Center in Lansing, and Effigy Mounds National Monument to the south.