Going North Along The St Croix National And Scenic River
While the Mississippi River flows through Northern Minnesota from its source at Lake Itaska , much of what is designated as the Great River Road doesnt actually flow along the river. So in our opinion the more scenic drive is traveling North along the St. Croix Scenic Byway until Taylor Falls, MN and St. Croix, Wisconsin where the St. Croix Falls National Interstate Park offers camping, hiking, and outstanding scenic attractions. In future articles we plan to profile interesting things to see and do, as well as camping, along this route.
Campgrounds With View Of Mississippi River
I’m looking for a campground in the Memphis area that has a good view of the Mississippi River. Any suggestions?
Tom Sawyer’s is the only one I know of, but you can check out additional camping options under the “Top Questions about Memphis” on the right side of this screen click “where to camp in or near Memphis.”
Tent camping with a river view is a little trickier. Try Shelby Forest State Park, just a few miles from Downtown Memphis. I doubt that it has direct views, but the park borders the Mississippi, and is reviewed well for deep woods camping.
oops, I see that site moved somewhere. Google Meeman Shelby Forest.
Edited: 10 years ago
Enjoy Natures Beauty At Pettibone Resort In La Crosse Wi
Wiggle your toes in the grass and sip your favorite beverage while enjoying the shade of the old oak tree and an occasional boat cruising down the river. Walk through the park, and let yourself unwind.
From sunset to sunrise its all about a dream, as you row, row, row your boat down the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Lay back in your lawn chair to gaze up at the stars and listen to the crackle of the campfire. Pettibone Resort, where life is about a dream!
Things to Do Around La Crosse, WI
- Excellent restaurants
- Pettibone public park and beach
- Mississippi River boat tours
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Bay City Village Park & Campground Bay City Wi
Bay Citys campground offers 41 RV sites with full hookups and 8 additional sites with only electric and water. Most sites offer some shade, some are along the riverfront, others are in a wooded area. The campground offers seasonal rates and it appears many of the sites are occupied by seasonal trailers. The available sites for those touring the Great River Road are mostly level and in the more open area near the water. Some of the sites are quite small which can be an advantage if you have a smaller rig. Theres a boat launch, sandy swimming beach, a fish cleaning station, and an RV pull-through dump site. A new modern bath/shower building was recently added. The campground takes reservations by phone 594-3229) as well as drive-in day-of site reservations with the camp host. If you expect to stay there on a weekend, reservations are strongly recommended. 2020 Rates are $35 for sites with hookups and $20 per night for tent sites.
Continuing North of Bay City on Hwy 35, the Wisconsin Great River Road travels to Prescott, Wisconsin. It is there that the St. Croix River joins the Mississippi and it becomes the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. So the Wisconsin Great River Road ends here. There are no decent campgrounds between Bay City and Prescott. itself. However if you cross the bridge at Prescott into Minnesota you can continue to travel North on the St. Croix River Scenic Byway. About 2 miles is the entrance to St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
Mississippi River Beaches Sandbars & Camping
So why do I mention all this before talking about Mississippi River camping? Because you want to consider if youll be dropping in below or above the dams and what direction you want to travel! If you are travelling by boat, travelling through the lock is an option. But if you happen to arrive at the same time as a barge, you could well be waiting 2 hours until its free!
There are roughly 30 miles of river between dams. Some good options to consider on the Iowa side would be either:
- Dropping in at Guttenberg landing ABOVE the dam and travelling northbound up towards McGregor.
- Below the dam at Guttenberg and travelling south towards Dubuque or alternatively, drop in at Dubuque above the dam and travel north towards Guttenberg
- Launch below the dam in Dubuque and head southbound towards Bellevue.
All these options have sandbars and islands without the need of having to travel through one of the locks.
I absolutely love going on boat trips to the sandbar beaches. Its almost like having your own private little island! If someone else comes along, simply jump back in the boat and travel to the next one! My first experience was at the end of summer season. Yes it was cold, but the river was calm and almost completely deserted. We passed one old fashioned Mississippi River boat and two barges that were hauling cargo further north up the river.
can you swim in the mississippi river in iowa?
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National Forest Camping In Mississippi
Home to six national forests, some of the best camping spots can be found in the southernmost forests. Bienville National Forest holds free, dispersed camping along forest roads, as well as a handful of state-operated free campsites courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Perhaps the most abundant free camping travelers will find in the state, however, comes in the form of a handful of boondocking sites scattered throughout the De Soto National Forest, which is also the closest to the coast. These locations vary greatly in what services you’ll find. Take Fairley Bridge Landing and its minimal amenities, for example. You’ll find a picnic table and fire ring at loosely-defined sites and even a primitive, vault toilet bathroom located at the campground as well. Moody’s Landing, attached to the Black Creek National Wild and Scenic River, has even more to offer, including flushing restrooms and water available on-site
Bethel Bicycle Trailhead, on the other hand, is significantly more bare-bones, offering essentially just a wide-open clearingwhich you’ll share with those coming to utilize the trails themselvesand that’s about it These are but an example of the variety of options available to those seeking free national forest camping in Mississippi.
RV dump stations in Mississippi are located throughout the state, so you’ll typically have options when it comes to safely disposing of your tanks after staying in these and other spots.
Nelson Dewey State Park Cassville Wi
Located about 20 miles north of Potosi, Nelson Dewey Park is on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi. It used to be 100% tent camping but in recent years the Wisconsin DNR has been adding electric service to sites suitable for RVs. Of the 48 sites, 16 offer electric service. Some of the RV sites are sloping or limited to shorter RVs. In general they have nice privacy screening from adjacent sites. The park has some decent hiking trails, historic Indian Mounds, and some nice overlooks of the Mississippi River. During busy camping periods you have a better chance of finding a site here than other state parks along the Great River Road.
Across the highway from Nelson Dewey is another interesting attraction: Stonefield Historic Village, a Wisconsin State Historical Society park.
One of the reasons Nelson Dewey park is less crowded is North of here the River Road Scenic Byway runs a good deal away from river on a collection of winding state and county highways, which some travelers try to avoid.
Leaving Cassville, you take highway 133 North until you intersect with County A where you go west to the town of Bagley. North of Bagley take County X which runs along or close to the river.
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Rush Creek State Natural Area
For a more rustic and less crowded hiking experience, stop by this large natural area north of Ferryville.
Like most natural areas, there are no marked trails, but an old service road from Rush Creek Road winds up the 400-foot bluff for sweeping views of the Mississippi and a two-mile stretch of dry prairie on the bluffs along it.
Look for bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks riding the thermals around the bluffs and wildflowers like little bluestem, blazing-star and birds-foot violet blooming on them. There have also been morel mushroom finds in the area.
Campgrounds Along The Mississippi River
by M& G Trailer Sales | Feb 2, 2021 | Lifestyle
The legendary Mississippi River has inspired Americans for hundreds of years. Great American authors like Mark Twain and environmentalists like Winona Deluke have found their purpose in its flowing waters. The world-renown river starts right here in the great state of Minnesota, and flows through nine others on its journey down to the Gulf of Mexico, where it finally meets the open ocean.
Commune with nature and soak in the inspiration of the Mississippi River yourself this summer in each of the ten states the river flows through. M& G Trailer Sales and Service put together a list of some of the best campgrounds along the Mississippi River to help guide you through your expedition.
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Cypremort Point State Park
Around two hours west of New Orleans, youll find Cypremort Point, the only location near the Gulf of Mexico that you can drive to.
The 185-acre park features a half-mile long man-made beach, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sparkling water. You can also crab along the beach, fish, windsurf, and go sailing.
Finally, there is a 100-foot fishing pier jutting out into the bay is a spectacular place to not only fish but also enjoy the sunset.
In addition to the excellent water recreation, the parks marshland is also teeming with wildlife. You can see muskrat, nutria, alligators, deer, black bears, red fox, opossum, and all types of native birds.
There is primitive camping within the park, as well as six cabins overlooking Vermilion Bay you can rent for $150 to $175 per night.
Why Youll Love Bay Hide Away Rv Park & Campground
Just off U.S. 90, minutes from the Bay Saint Louis and Gulf of Mexico beaches, youll find Bay Hide Away RV Park and Campground. As the name suggests, the park is a great hideaway just outside of town while still being convenient to everything. Just down the road youll find Bayside Park, and a little farther lies Silver Slipper Casino, Clermont Harbor, and Buccaneer State Park. Its also convenient located for those who want to combine a trip to Mississippis Gulf Coast with a trip to New Orleans. Just an hour away, you can easily do a day trip to the Big Easy from here.
Location
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Rustic Tenting At Pettibone Resort
The tent area is just a short walk from the shower house and RV camping sites. Our spacious tent sites have water spigots available, and porta-pottys are conveniently located nearby. Most have picnic tables and fire rings, and are an ideal area for relaxing and enjoying the breeze off the river.
Our tent campers love Pettibone Resort for fishing, boating, canoeing, biking, and of course cozy campfires with family and friends. We also have a friendly bar to play darts and reminisce about the one that got away!
Pettibone Resort is proud to welcome and honor Good Sam Club Members and Military Personnel! We are also a member of WACO.
Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parksmississippi Gulf Coast
Salt, sand, surf, and seafood: thats what Mississippis Gulf Coast is all about.
If youre looking for a summer fun destination, Mississippis small but diverse shoreline should be at the top of your list. However, thanks to sunny southern climates, the beaches here are worth visiting year-round. Thats just one of many reasons why the Gulf Coast is a long-time favorite for RV travelers in Mississippi.
Less popular than their Floridian cousins to the east but just as beautiful and lively, the beaches along the Mississippi shore are a brilliant vacation option for RV campers who want affordable destinations that arent too overcrowded. While Mississippis Gulf Coast draws a vibrant crowd every spring and summer, its much easier to find a campground where you can park it for the night than it can be in some of the countrys more well-known coastal cities.
From the Louisiana border to the shores of Alabamas Gulf Coast, there are plenty of coastal towns, cities, and parks along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that are worth visiting. At the far east side of the state, youll find secluded beaches along marshy coastal preserves and within Buccaneer State Park, bordered by the lovely Pearl River. Just a short drive across the state line will put you in the iconic city of New Orleans.
A ferry also leaves from Gulfport each day to take visitors to the picturesque Ship Island, which was named one of the top 10 beaches in the United States.
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Sam Houston Jones State Park
Around 200-miles west of New Orleans is a 1,087-acre park state park abundant in the swampy landscapes the state is famous for.
Here youll find lagoons filled with cypress interspersed with hardwood and pine forests. There are hundreds of different species of animals too, including 200 different species of birds.
You can find boat launches on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. Here you can make your way deeper into the swamp, or go out to the Gulf of Mexico. If you dont have a boat, you can rent one to paddle around the parks serenely beautiful ponds.
Three hiking trails wind their way through the park. Of particular interest is the old Stagecoach Road, where you can hike to explore the many tributaries to the Calcasieu River.
This is a wonderful place to spend a few days, and you can the park has a dozen cabins, 62 RV campsites, and 19 tent sites.
Some of the RV sites have electric only, and some have water and electric. The camping fees range from $25 to $33 per night.
New Orleans is the world-class city people from all over the world come to for food, music and partying, but rural Louisiana has much to offer too. If youre craving an exotic landscape of swamps, forests, and seashores, its closer than you think.
Kickapoo Valley Reserve La Farge Wi
How about an adventure where the only access to your campsite is via canoe or kayak? The Kickapoo Valley Reserve has campsites that are river access only, or river and trail access that you can hike out to. There are more traditional sites in the Reserve as well where you can park at your site. The river access only sites can be a challenge and be prepared to hike your gear up a ways as there is always the risk of flooding on the Kickapoo, so theres no riverbank camping. You may find a steep hike up to your site from the river, but the challenge is what makes it awesome.
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Tarrant Park Durand Wi
Bicyclists will find Tarrant Park to be of particular interest. The park has direct access to the Chippewa River State Bike Trail. This trail is 30 miles long and takes you right into the downtown area of Eau Claire where the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers meet. There are a lot of amenities that make this park a favorite stop including a swimming pool with a bathhouse. Youll also find lots to keep the family occupied with volleyball sand courts, playgrounds, and horseshoe pits. Both RV and tent sites with and without electricity are available at the park.
Big Lagoon State Park
This is a 704-acre coastal park near Pensacola is rated as one of the best Floridas state parks. Big Lagoon offers visitors the opportunity to swim, boat, fish, crab, paddle, hike, and camp along the parks saltwater tidal marshes and within the pine flatwoods.
The park is a bird watchers paradise, with more than 23 species of wood-warblers, as well as many varieties of duck, sandpipers, and plovers.
The parks beaches and shallow bays are a wonderful place to go crabbing and beachcombing. Likewise, the open woodlands offer the hiker plenty of opportunities to see all sorts of wildlife, including deer, raccoon, black bears, opossum, and more.
Big Lagoon has 67 RV campsites, but only five have 30-amp electric.
Otherwise, its dry camping with water spigots and restrooms with hot showers dotted throughout the camping area. There is also a central dump station.
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Nelson Dewey State Park
This little state park outside Cassville often gets overlooked for the more popular Wyalusing State Park about 20 miles north.
But if youre looking for a quieter camping experience, a bit of history and some easy hiking, make Nelson Dewey your base camp and travel to Wyalusing during the day.
The park is on a 500-foot bluff above the Mississippi River, with two miles of trails that offer views of the river valley. The 0.6-mile Mound Point trail passes a handful of Native American burial mounds that date back more than 1,500 years.
Nelson Dewey has a 45-site campground, with four hike-in sites on the bluff that offer unobstructed views of the river. Site C is the best of the bunch, but from each you can watch the setting sun to the west. If youre a light sleeper, bring ear plugs: Active train tracks run along the bottom of the bluff.
Also at the base of the bluff is Stonefield state historic site, which includes a re-created 1800s rural farming village and the former home of Gov. Nelson Dewey, the parks namesake and the states first governor.