Blue Mound State Park Camping

Entering Blue Mound State Park

Blue Mounds State Park Campground and amenities tour

The park is open year round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. A vehicle admission sticker is needed to enter the park.

Entry fee : $8

Entry fee : $11

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Primitive Camping At Blue Mound State Park

There are also 12 rustic/primitive campsites in the park that are only accessible by hiking or biking. Cars are not allowed at these campsites, and they have no amenities. The primitive campsites are located between the campground and Military Ridge State Trail. These sites are first-come, first-serve.

Inside Blue Mound State Park

Blue Mound State Park is located on top of the highest hill in southern Wisconsin. The park has two 40-foot-tall observation towers that you can climb for a spectacular view of the surrounding area. The park has a swimming pool, and you can go hiking or biking on the trails. You can learn about the park’s wildlife and plants from the naturalists’ presentations that are held in the evenings in summer. You can also listen to concerts in the amphitheater on several summer Saturdays.

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Blue Mound State Park Overview

Blue Mound State Park sets atop the largest hill in the southern half of Wisconsin and has 78 single-family campsites. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVS . Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Twelve hike/Hike campsites are also available.

The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. There are also two electric sites available for people disabilities.

Blue Mound State Park Area Recreation

The Park offers incredible views of the surrounding country and boasts some pretty cool geological features you can explore. Outdoor recreation includes mountain biking, hiking, swimming , camping, wildlife viewing, photography and cross-country skiing.

Wildlife At Blue Mound State Park

Wildlife is a big draw for Blue Mound State Park. You have the opportunity to glimpse bison herds and a wide variety of birds, making it a favorite for birders. Deer hunting and animal trapping are also allowed at the park during specific time frames throughout the year. You should also be on the lookout for bears, coyotes, and other predators.

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Rustic Accessible Cabin For People With Disabilities

The rustic accessible cabin has a paved driveway, electrical outlets, lighting, and an accessible picnic table and fire ring. An accessible flush toilet and shower building are 200 feet from the campsite.

The cabin is designed to be wheelchair accessible and to accommodate up to four people. The cabin has one adult size double bed with a foam pad and one average size bunk bed with thin foam pads. A maximum of six people may occupy the rustic accessible cabin site, with a tent at the campsite.

Only one tent is allowed on the rustic accessible cabin campsite. Space heaters and cooking are not allowed in the cabin. Under state law, smoking is not allowed in the cabin. No pets are allowed except certified service animals.

The rustic cabin at Blue Mound State Park is reservable from May 25 to Oct. 31. Application forms may be obtained online or at the park office. For more information, contact the park office.

Blue Mound State Park

Mount Horeb Attractions

Blue Mound State Park is on the tallest hill in southern Wisconsin, about 25 miles west of Madison. The 1,153-acre park is a popular place for swimming, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and mountain biking and finding peace and solitude.

Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, Blue Mound State Park offers spectacular views and unique Locationgeological features. A swimming pool is available in during summer. Over 20 miles of scenic hiking, off-road biking, and cross-country ski trails, as well as a family campground, access to the Military Ridge State Trail with bike-in campsites, and a rustic cabin for people with disabilities make Blue Mound a popular destination year-round.

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Blue Mounds Campsite Amenities

This park was very clean and the trails were well looked after. For only $11 the campsite offered a lot.

Free open Wifi throughout the campsite
Large clean bathrooms and showers that are indoors
Bison & Prairie Tours
$6 bundles of firewood available for purchase

Best Hiking Trails at Blue Mounds State Park

1st Hike: Quarry TrailPark here: Co Hwy 8, Luverne, MN 56156

A great introduction to the park is to begin with Quarry Trail because you will immediately get to see some of the iconic red rock cliffs. and its a short, easy hike.

If youre driving from Luverne towards Blue Mounds State Park, youll see a sign labeling some trails before the actual state park entrance. Turn right here onto 141st Street and stay on this road until the second labeled turn off. There will be a parking lot on your left hand side.

Or just type: Blue Mounds State Park Rock Climbing Area Parking Lot into Google Maps!

2nd hike: Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is the parks highest point. Hike along the Mound Trail from the Eagle Rock Vista parking lot to access it!

Other great hikes:

Bur Oak Trail 0.75 miles one-way
Upper Cliffline Trail 1.5-miles one-way
Lower Cliffline Trail 1-miles one-way

Tips for Sunrise & Sunset at Blue Mounds Park

Sunrise: If you book campsite 11 or 12, you will have a perfect uninterrupted view of sunrise from your tent. Originally, I had planned to do a sunrise hike but when I realized I could watch sunrise from the comfort of my warm sleeping bag, I snuggled in and stayed put!

Outside Blue Mound State Park

Camping in a Kia! – Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota – S1:E7

Southern Wisconsin has beautiful rolling hills, farms, and small villages. The area near the park has many lovely attractions that should not be missed, such as the Cave of the Mounds and Taliesin. The state capital, Madison, is only 40 minutes away. Enjoy the wonderful sights near the park, and then drive to Madison for more sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

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How Much Does A Trip Here Cost

If youre a local or able to camp on a weekday, a great campsite is only $11. This includes pull up parking, a fire pit, a picnic table, free Wifi & access to nearby clean, indoor showers and bathrooms.

You can upgrade to electric sites or RV sites etc for an additional fee. But if youre just camping, the regular sites are more than enough!

They also have the option for glamping in a tipi. (Stay tuned for when I do this glamping trip in July!

Reserving A Campsite

If you reserve your campsite online the same day you plan to check in or upon your arrival there is no reservation fee.

I was able to skip the fee by reserving mine the morning I left. However if there is a specific campsite you want or youre going during a popular time/weekend, you may need to reserve ahead of time. This will include a $7 non-refundable reservation fee.

Once youre reservation is complete, youll receive an email confirming your campsite and the following document:

Minnesota State Park Pass

In addition to the cost of your campsite, a Minnesota State Park Pass is required here.

You can purchase one when you arrive or ahead of time here.

Its $7 for a day or $35 unlimited for the season for ALL Minnesota State Parks. If you plan to stay more than one day or visit any other parks in the following year, its worth purchasing the unlimited pass.

The cost of my trip: $11 campsite +$35 unlimited year pass + $10 in food and snacks + $20 in fuel roundtrip

What To Expect At Blue Mound State Park

Blue Mound State Park is one of the nicest state parks in Wisconsin. Because its a state park, you should expect to pay a small admission fee of around $8.00. However, once you gain access to the park, youll have to opportunity to explore a world of hiking trails, biking, rock climbing, and much more. You can also expect to see quartzite cliffs, bison herds, and tons of excellent bird watching opportunities.

Vegetation And Geography At Blue Mound State Park

West Blue Mound is the hill for which the park is named, and it rises over 600 feet in elevation. This makes it the highest point in southern Wisconsin and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Each of the mountains and mounds in the area is composed of limestone and quartzite and is great for rock-climbing.

Blue Mound is also loved for the prickly pear cacti that grow from June to July and the sea of praise grasses that grow in many valleys and meadows of the park.

Things To Do At Blue Mound State Park

During your stay at Blue Mound State Park, theres no shortage of outdoor activities to choose from. There are hiking trails, biking trails, rock-climbing opportunities, and plenty of sightseeing. The park itself is over 1,000 acres in size and features two observation towers that offer views of the Wisconsin River valley and the Baraboo Range.

Because the park is positioned at the top of a hill, you have breathtaking views of glacial plains, rolling forests, and West Blue Mound, after which the park is named.

If you camp during the winter months, the park features hills for snowboarding, skiing, and sledding. Theres also plenty of room for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park also features a swimming pool and splash pad.

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A Brief Introduction To Blue Mounds State Park

Blue Mounds State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, in Rock County near the town of Luverne. It protects an American bison herd which grazes on one of the state’s largest prairie remnants.The state park is named after a linear escarpment of Precambrian Sioux Quartzite bedrock, which although pink in color, is said to have appeared blueish in the distance to early settlers. Parts of the cliff are up to 100 feet high. Unusual in the surrounding prairie landscape, they are a popular site for rock climbing.The park also preserves a 1,250-foot-long line of rocks aligned by Plains Indians which marks where the sun rises and sets on the spring and fall equinoxes. It also has a small reservoir for swimming, the only lake in Rock County. The park’s interpretive center was once the home of the author Frederick Manfred.Four structures and one building in the park, built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rustic Cabin Camping Option

In addition to the 77 readily accessible sites and the 12 primitive ones, theres also a cabin open for reservation. The rustic cabin has a paved driveway, electrical outlets, lighting, and a picnic table, plus a fire ring. An accessible flush toilet and shower building are 200 feet from the campsite.

The cabin is wheelchair accessible and can comfortably fit up to four people. It has one adult double bed with a foam pad and one set of bunk beds with thin foam pads. You can optionally add a tent onto the cabin site, but no more than six people are permitted to occupy the site at a time.

Space heaters, smoking, and cooking are not allowed in the cabin for safety reasons. No pets are allowed inside the cabin except for certified service animals.

The rustic cabin at Blue Mound State Park is reservable from May 25 to Oct. 31. Application forms may be obtained online or at the park office. For more information, contact the park office.

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Camping Options At Blue Mound State Park

There are 77 campsites to choose from at Blue Mound State Park. Theyre all large enough to accommodate tents or small RVs, but I wouldnt bet on fitting anything larger than 25 to 30 feet comfortably into the RV spots. Out of the 77 camping sites, only two of them, sites 28 and 32, have electric hookups. None of the sites have sewer hookups or running water.

Sites 28 and 32 are also handicap accessible and must be booked in advance since theyre the hottest sites in the campground.

Blue Mounds State Park Overview

Blue Mound SP, Wisconsin

Blue Mounds State Park campground has 73 single-family campsites and is located next to Mound Creek in one of the states largest prairie remnants. There is also 14 walk-in sites and 1 group site.

Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers and dump station. Theres also a picnic area and shelter, playground and volleyball court. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs . Most campsites are large and have nice shade. Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate.

Blue Mounds State Park Recreation & Info

The Park includes 1,830 acres of prairie land and Sioux quartzite rock outcroppings. It is also home to a heard of approximately 130 bison. Visitors can also see other wildlife in the area including elk, wolves, coyotes, prairie chickens and many species of birds. Other outdoor recreation includes fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, volleyball and horseshoes.

Accessible Cabin Camping At Blue Mound State Park Wisconsinwritten By Andrea And Ryan

My partner Ryan and I recently stayed at an accessible cabin in Blue Mound State Park. Both of us enjoy the outdoors and love to camp when we can. Unfortunately, we were quite busy with life stuff this summer and didnt get to go camping. Ryan had Power Soccer practice in Madison, WI on a Sunday so we thought it would be a perfect time to try out the accessible cabin at Blue Mounds State Park.

There are two accessible rustic cabins available to rent in the Wisconsin State Park System. One is at Copper Falls State Park and one in Blue Mound State Park. Additionally, there are other properties with larger accessible cabins designed for groups of more than 4 people. The cabins are only available from May-October and you need to complete a request form. For more information check out .

A little bit about the Blue Mound State Park

Blue Mound State Park is located about 40 minutes west of Madison, WI and has a pool, mountain bike and hiking trails, a campground, and a decent sized picnic area with a view of the surrounding area. The state park is the highest point in the region, with unique geologic features on the ancestral lands of the Miami, Sauk, Meskwaki, and Ho-Chunk peoples.

The Accessible Cabin

The cabin is located in the heart of the campground, right next to the shower building. There is a locked, accessible gender neutral shower and bathroom with a large bench to change/sit on and a shower bench.

About Andrea and Ryan

Blue Mounds State Park

Blue Mounds State Park is located 4 miles north of Luverne on Highway 75 and 1 mile east on County Road 20.

Blue Mounds State Park is full of natural surprises! Start with the Sioux quartzite cliff, rising 100 feet from the plains. A bison herd grazes on the prairie. Prickly pear cacti bloom in June and July. A sea of prairie grasses and flowers sway in the wind. The park is also a favorite for birdwatchers who want to see nesting blue grosbeaks and other birds. Enjoy camping, hiking, climbing, biking, as well as the unique sights and wonderful aromas of a beautiful prairie.

Entrance by fee – yearly or daily fees available.

For camping reservations call: 1-866-85PARKS or use the Link to the Minnesota State Parks Reservation website below.

Founded in 1937, Blue Mounds State Park is home to a spectacular 1.5 mile rock cliff outcrop, numerous native prairie grasses and flowers, as well as Minnesotas first state-owned herd of bison. The Park offers bison and prairie tours with a DNR naturalist on a specially-designed vehicle funded through the State of Minnesotas Legacy Funds.

Camping is available via the DNRs reservation system, at mndnr.gov. A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks, which cost $7/day or $35/year. Other important park information can be found at mndnr.gov/bluemounds.

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