Boating

River's Edge Campground - Birchwood

River's Edge Campground in Birchwood, Wisconsin, offers full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric, cabins, and tent camping on the Brill River in Washburn County, with pull-through and back-in sites, fire pits, and picnic tables. A man-made swim pond with a beach supplements the river access, and site WiFi reaches the campground. Full-hookup sites carry water, sewer, and electric in both pull-through and back-in configurations, with fire pits and picnic tables. Cabins serve guests traveling without a rig. A dump station, restrooms, showers, and laundry cover the practical side, a general store stocks basics and firewood, and WiFi reaches the sites. A pet washing station is on site — a genuinely useful detail after a day in the river. The Brill River frontage defines the campground. Swimming holes, tubing runs through clear northwoods water, and kayak launches give guests direct river access, while the swim pond and beach provide shallow, managed water for younger children. A dog park, playground, walking trails, sports courts, and basketball spread across the wooded grounds, with a jumping pillow, gaga ball, inflatable water toys, and planned activities filling the family calendar. Boating, canoeing, kayaking, and picnicking round it out. Pets are welcome. Birchwood sits in the northern Wisconsin lakes country between Spooner and Rice Lake, where the Namekagon and Brill rivers and a chain of glacial lakes define the landscape. Long Lake, the area UTV and ATV trails, and historic Hayward are the main draws nearby. The campground runs the northern Wisconsin summer season, with river swimming and tubing driving peak demand from June through August. Reserve ahead for summer weekends.

from $20/night

Hidden Shady Nook

3 RV Sites, 2 Cabins

Perched on the spring-fed shores of Pike Lake in Wisconsin's Chippewa County, Hidden Shady Nook delivers the kind of lakeside escape that makes you want to cancel your checkout date. The resort spreads across 800 feet of shoreline on Pike Lake—a 200-acre, 38-foot-deep gem known for clear water and excellent fishing—positioning it as one of the most distinctive camping experiences in central Wisconsin. Cornell, a small town tucked into the rolling Chippewa River valley, serves as the jumping-off point, and the surrounding forests of the Wisconsin Northwoods provide a backdrop that shifts from emerald green in summer to blazing color by fall. Twenty-five RV and camping sites plus four lodging options give guests plenty of ways to enjoy the lake, from full-hookup spots to comfortable overnight accommodations. Thirteen fishing docks, a private boat launch, and kayak rentals keep water lovers busy from first light to sunset, while the onsite restaurant—famous for Friday fish fries, Saturday ribs, and Sunday brunch—means you never have to drive far for a memorable meal. Live music performs on the lakefront deck throughout the summer, the pole barn hosts activities and events, and UTV and ATV trail access opens the surrounding forests to exploration. Boat storage, a dog park, and a playground round out an amenity list rarely matched at a lakefront resort of this size. Pike Lake itself is the star of the show—spring-fed and exceptionally clear, it supports strong populations of walleye, bass, and panfish that draw anglers from across the Midwest. The resort's 800 feet of private shoreline gives guests direct access to a sandy beach for swimming, paddling, or simply sitting with a cold drink watching the loons drift by. Surrounding the property, mature hardwoods and conifers filter the light and provide the natural canopy that gives the resort its name—shady, quiet, and genuinely tucked away from the noise of everyday life. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail traverses the property itself, offering guests access to miles of hiking through terrain shaped by the last glaciers to push across Wisconsin. The trail winds through kettles, drumlins, and moraines that tell the story of a landscape still bearing the marks of its glacial past. Beyond the property, the Chippewa River corridor provides paddling, and the surrounding forests offer birding, hunting, and wildlife watching throughout the seasons. The city of Eau Claire, with its vibrant arts scene and full range of dining and shopping, lies less than an hour west for those who need an urban fix between lake days. Hidden Shady Nook shines brightest in summer when live music floats across the water and the fishing is at its peak, though the fall walleye run draws dedicated anglers well into October. Spring arrives early on the lake and brings migrating waterfowl and the first warm evenings perfect for dock sitting. The resort's combination of waterfront access, on-site dining, live entertainment, and trail access makes it rare among Wisconsin campgrounds—an all-in-one destination rather than just a place to sleep. Book your site on Pike Lake and discover why guests return to Hidden Shady Nook year after year.

from $35/night

Golden Acres Park

1 RV Site

On the crystal-clear shores of Square Lake in Washington County, just a short drive from the historic St. Croix River town of Stillwater, Golden Acres Park provides an intimate lakeside camping experience anchored by one of Minnesota's most celebrated natural swimming waters. Square Lake consistently earns recognition as one of the Twin Cities metro area's clearest recreational lakes—a deep kettle lake of exceptional water quality where the sandy bottom is visible well into the depths and the summer swimming ranks among the most refreshing in the state. Nine nightly RV sites with full hookups bring modern camping infrastructure to a serene lakeside setting that has attracted water-loving visitors to this Washington County property for decades. All nine nightly RV sites feature full hookup service with 50/30/20-amp electrical connections, water, and sewer on gravel pads, and high-speed Wi-Fi has been added for the current camping season throughout the park. Pontoon boat, paddleboard, and canoe rentals enable non-motorized exploration of Square Lake's pristine waters without requiring guests to arrive with watercraft, and swimming, boating, and fishing from the park's lakefront give the campground a full recreational identity. The park's small-scale, boutique character creates an atmosphere significantly more intimate than the large commercial campgrounds of the suburban Twin Cities, and returning guests often cite the combination of lake quality and personal service as what brings them back each season. Square Lake's exceptional clarity makes it one of the region's preferred destinations for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding—activities where water quality is visible and immediately appreciable rather than abstractly measured. Washington County's Square Lake Park adjoins the property and provides additional beach access and picnic facilities on the same remarkable lake, giving guests a combined recreational footprint that extends shoreline enjoyment across the full summer day. Fishing for bass, panfish, and northern pike in the clear water provides a rewarding angling experience in conditions where sight-fishing is possible during the calm morning hours when the surface lies undisturbed. Stillwater, one of Minnesota's most historic and charming river towns, lies a short drive west along the St. Croix valley and anchors a downtown district of Victorian architecture, independent bookshops, wine bars, and galleries that serve as the Twin Cities metro area's most beloved small-town getaway. The St. Croix River, a National Wild and Scenic corridor that forms the Minnesota-Wisconsin state line, supports canoeing, kayaking, and riverboat excursions through a bluff-lined valley that remains one of the upper Midwest's most scenic waterway corridors. William O'Brien State Park, along the St. Croix just north of Stillwater, provides hiking, camping, and river access in a protected state land setting easily reached for a half-day outing. The swimming and paddling season on Square Lake runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with the clearest and warmest water conditions arriving in July and August. Fall brings spectacular color to the surrounding Washington County hardwood forests, and the Stillwater district's shops and dining remain active through October for guests who want the lake and the town at a quieter pace. Reserve early for summer weekends—the park's nine nightly sites fill quickly given the exceptional lake quality and the ease of Stillwater and Twin Cities access from this excellent Washington County address.

from $70/night

Mont du Lac Resort

20 RV Sites, 16 Cabins, 14 Tent Sites

On the Wisconsin side of the St. Louis River overlooking the Duluth-Superior harbor, Mont du Lac Resort delivers year-round outdoor adventure from a single hillside property — transitioning from a downhill ski and snowboard hub through the winter months to a mountain biking and disc golf retreat across the warmer season. Few resorts in the Upper Midwest match Mont du Lac for the breadth of activities available in one place across every season, making it equally compelling for a ski-weekend booking in January and a mountain biking trip in July. Accommodations range from Trophy Suites and deluxe cabins to RV sites and tent camping, giving guests a full spectrum of lodging options within the resort's wooded grounds. A full-service chalet with a bar and restaurant anchors the social side of the property and handles post-activity recovery with the kind of comfortable informality that active outdoor resorts do best. The staff brings genuine enthusiasm for the activities that define the Mont du Lac experience — particularly useful for first-time skiers or riders navigating the hill's layout. Pets are welcome throughout the resort. The hillside setting overlooking the St. Louis River is striking in every season. Winter transforms the slope into snow-covered ski terrain with runs suited to all ability levels, from beginner-friendly pitches to steeper runs that challenge intermediate skiers. When the snow melts, nine kilometers of dedicated mountain biking trails wind through the same wooded hillside, and an 18-hole mountain disc golf course adds a year-round low-key option that attracts a different demographic from the downhill crowd. The river views below the hill change character across seasons as dramatically as the hillside activities above. Duluth, Minnesota, sits just across the St. Louis River and adds one of the Upper Midwest's most interesting small cities to the resort's regional draw. The Aerial Lift Bridge — one of the most recognizable pieces of engineering in Minnesota — spans the ship canal at Canal Park, where the Great Lakes Aquarium, the waterfront Lakewalk, and a concentration of breweries and restaurants create a lively lakeside district. The Skyline Parkway above Duluth provides panoramic views over Lake Superior that rank among the finest urban overlooks in the region. Pattison State Park, home to Big Manitou Falls — the highest waterfall in Wisconsin — and Jay Cooke State Park's dramatic gorge and suspension bridge are both within easy driving range. Mont du Lac Resort shines brightest during ski season, typically running December through early March depending on snowfall, and again in summer when mountain biking and disc golf replace the chairlifts. Book lodging well ahead of winter holiday weekends and Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, when the ski hill and resort facilities fill to capacity. Summer stays offer a quieter, more relaxed version of the resort — ideal for families and individuals who want outdoor recreation with more room to breathe than peak-season crowds allow.

from $20/night

Ham Lake Resort

5 RV Sites

Ham Lake Resort delivers an authentic lakeside Minnesota escape just thirty minutes north of the Twin Cities — close enough for a spontaneous weekend getaway, far enough that the loons calling at dusk genuinely remind you that you have left the metro behind. With over 100 RV sites, tent sites, and a lake-centered activity lineup that spans water sports, farm animals, and on-site playgrounds, Ham Lake Resort has earned its place as one of Anoka County's most beloved camping destinations for families who return the same week every summer. Full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cabin accommodations give guests multiple pathways into the same exceptional lakeside location. Swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boating on Ham Lake form the water recreation core of any stay, with a boat dock, horseshoes, a playground, and a dedicated dog park rounding out the social spaces across the grounds. One of Ham Lake Resort's most distinctive features is the small farmyard on the property — home to goats, alpacas, a miniature horse, a donkey, and a peacock — giving young guests hands-on animal encounters rarely found at a campground and creating the kind of memory that children carry into adulthood alongside the lake swimming and firepit evenings. The landscape surrounding Ham Lake is classic Minnesota lake country — gently rolling terrain, birch and pine forest, and the reflective surface of the lake at the center of everything. Anoka County's network of parks and trails extends the outdoor recreation well beyond the resort's boundaries for guests who want to explore on foot or by bike through the surrounding countryside, and the quality of the fishing on Ham Lake keeps dedicated anglers returning regardless of the season. Bunker Beach Water Park, one of the largest outdoor water parks in the Twin Cities metro area, is a natural family day-trip destination from camp. The National Sports Center in nearby Blaine — one of the world's largest amateur sports complexes — hosts major soccer, hockey, and athletic events year-round and is just a short drive away. Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul offers free admission to animal exhibits and a historic domed greenhouse that is particularly appealing for families with young children. The Twin Cities' full metropolitan cultural calendar — including the Minnesota State Fair, Minneapolis art museums, and the Mill District's dining scene along the Mississippi — puts genuine urban depth within easy reach throughout the camping season. Ham Lake Resort operates through the spring, summer, and fall season, with late spring through early fall delivering the full lake recreation experience at its best. Summer weekends fill consistently at this well-loved campground, so booking early for any July or August stay is essential — particularly for holiday weekends when the combination of lake access, farm animal visits, and the relaxed Anoka County atmosphere makes it one of the most popular family destinations in the northern Twin Cities corridor. Ask about themed events and activities scheduled through the summer when you reserve your site.

from $65/night

SARA Park Campground

10 RV Sites

SARA Park Campground in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, is a municipally managed campground on the Wisconsin River in Lincoln County's northern Wisconsin lake and river country — a well-equipped community facility that provides RV sites with 30- and 50-amp electric and water hookups, a public beach, a boat ramp, a pavilion, and direct access to the Wisconsin River and Lake Mohawksin in a setting that combines the practical infrastructure of a well-maintained municipal park with the natural recreation quality of one of northern Wisconsin's most productive river and lake systems. The campground's position directly on the water gives guests immediate Wisconsin River access without a separate marina or launch fee transaction. Electric and water hookups at 30 and 50 amps cover the primary RV hookup needs across a range of rig types, and the campground's beach, boat ramp, playground, and pavilion create the community recreation infrastructure that sustains stays beyond the pure hook-and-sleep overnight format. A dump station at the city garage handles the waste management logistics for self-contained rigs, and on-site Wi-Fi, pet-friendly accommodations, and public bathrooms with showers address the practical daily needs of both overnight travelers and week-long visitors. Fishing, swimming, and volleyball provide the core activity programming, and the campground's municipal character gives it a clean, well-maintained baseline that reflects genuine civic investment in the facility. Lake Mohawksin, the impoundment of the Wisconsin River that forms Tomahawk's immediate waterfront, and the Wisconsin River itself provide fishing for walleye, musky, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish through the full open-water season. Boat and jet ski rentals near the campground extend the water recreation access for guests without trailered watercraft, and the Wisconsin River's northern Wisconsin reach provides flatwater paddling corridors through forested terrain that maintains its wild character even in the proximity of an established community. The Bearskin State Trail, a paved multi-use trail running between Minocqua to the north and Tomahawk to the south, provides one of the most scenic and well-maintained cycling and walking surfaces in northern Wisconsin — a 18-mile trail following a former railroad grade through maple-basswood forest and alongside lakes and wetlands that makes a full round-trip an excellent half-day bicycle excursion for guests with bikes or rentals. The Kwahamot Water Ski Show, Tomahawk's long-running amateur waterski entertainment tradition, provides a specific cultural event experience that is a consistent summer Tomahawk draw for visitors arriving with its schedule in mind. Historic downtown Tomahawk's independent shops, restaurants, and North Fourth Street retail district give the community's commercial core a small-city character worth a walking-tour exploration. SARA Park Campground operates through the northern Wisconsin outdoor season from roughly May through October, with summer peak demand through July and August when the combination of lake recreation, water ski shows, and the northern Wisconsin summer camping culture brings strong visitor traffic to the Tomahawk area. The fall musky season from October through November is a specific attraction for the serious trophy musky angling community that targets Lake Mohawksin and the Wisconsin River's northern impoundments. Reserve sites ahead for summer peak weekends and Kwahamot Water Ski Show dates when the campground's direct river access is at its most competitively sought.

from $50/night

Plum Pines RV Park & Campground

43 RV Sites, 5 Tent Sites

Plum Pines RV Park & Campground in Sayner, Wisconsin, offers 43 RV sites and five tent sites near Plum Lake in Vilas County, with 30 and 50-amp water-and-electric service, ADA-accessible sites, and rigs accepted to 50 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. Deluxe and standard categories sit behind a gated entrance in the Northwoods lakes country. Forty-three sites run in 30/50-amp deluxe, 30/50-amp standard, and standard pull-through categories carrying water and electric, sized to 50 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables — note there are no sewer hookups at the sites, though a dump station is available. Accessible sites are available. Five tent sites round out the accommodations. Laundry, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side, with a gated entrance controlling access. Boat rentals are available on site with boating and picnicking from the property, and off-roading and a golf course are nearby. The amenity set is deliberately quiet — this is a private, family-owned campground where the lake country does the work. Sayner sits in the geographic center of the Eagle River, Minocqua, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters lake district, and the context is remarkable: Vilas County holds over 1,300 lakes within its boundaries, making it the most lake-dense county in the United States. Plum Lake is within blocks of the campground. Summer is decisively the season in the Northwoods. Reserve well ahead for July and August, and note the partial hookups when planning a longer stay.

from $32/night

Wildwood Outdoor Adventures & Campground

73 RV Sites, 10 Tent Sites

Wildwood Outdoor Adventures and Campground in Eagle River, Wisconsin, offers 73 RV sites and 10 tent sites directly on the Eagle River Chain of 28 Lakes, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted up to 102 feet. Pond water view and premium back-in categories in both full-hookup and water-and-electric versions join boat docks, kayak rentals, and floating boat slips. Seventy-three sites span pond water view back-in 30/50-amp, pond water view back-in 30/50-amp water-and-electric, premium back-in 30/50-amp, and premium back-in 30/50-amp water-and-electric categories, carrying water, sewer, and electric where noted, sized to 102 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Every category comes in both a full-hookup and a water-and-electric version, which lets you choose the setting and the hookup level independently — a sensible structure. One hundred two feet accommodates the longest coaches with a tow. Every site gets a fire ring and picnic table. Ten tent sites round out the lodging. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, and private family shower rooms handle the practical side. Floating boat slips, a full dock, and kayak rentals open the chain for boating, canoeing, and kayaking, with a lake, pond, river, walking trails, biking, a playground, community fire pit, and productive birding filling the rest. The Eagle River Chain is the largest freshwater chain in the world — 28 glacially carved lakes connected end to end across more than 3,000 acres. Summer is decisively the season. Reserve well ahead.

Two Rivers Campground & Tubing

112 RV Sites, 1 House

Two Rivers Campground and Tubing in Royalton, Minnesota, offers 112 full-hookup RV sites and a house rental at the Mississippi and Platte River confluence, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 50 feet behind a gated entrance. A Paw Pen pull-through category for guests with dogs joins patio back-in and deluxe pull-through tiers, with an outdoor pool, mini-golf, jumping pillow, and river tubing. One hundred twelve sites span back-in full hookup 30/50-amp, back-in full hookup patio 30/50-amp, deluxe pull-thru full hookup patio 30/50-amp, Paw Pen pull-thru full hookup 30/50-amp, and pull-thru full hookup 30/50-amp categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric with site WiFi, sized to 50 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and BBQ pits. A Paw Pen — a private fenced run at the site — is genuinely uncommon. A house rental and cabins round out the lodging. A general store, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. Rates cover one RV or two tent units with two adults and two children; children under two are free, an additional tent is $30 a night, and holiday rates apply. An outdoor pool anchors the summer, with river tubing as the property's defining activity — the Platte's gentle current and accessible float corridor are what most guests come for. Mini-golf, a jumping pillow, gaga ball, sports courts, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, corn hole, walking trails, biking, a beach, playground, pavilion, and dog park fill the rest. The address is 5116 145th Street Northwest in Morrison County. Summer is the tubing season. Reserve well ahead.

from $36/night

Whiskey Creek Family RV Park

39 RV Sites, 2 Cabins, 1 Glamping Site

Whiskey Creek Family RV Park in Sparta, Wisconsin, offers 39 RV sites, two cabins, and a glamping site across 38.5 wooded acres along the Little La Crosse River, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 50 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. A one-acre lined swim pond with an Aquaglide aqua park anchors an unusually deep amenity set behind a gated entrance. Thirty-nine back-in sites run in full-hookup and water-and-electric categories carrying 30 and 50-amp, sized to 50 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Two cabins and a glamping site round out the accommodations. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, firewood, recycling, and site WiFi handle the practical side, with a gated entrance controlling access. The recreation is the reason to book. A one-acre lined swim pond with an Aquaglide inflatable aqua park anchors the summer, with a beach, water park, and inflatable water toys besides. A ninja slack line, gaga ball, playground, dog park, sports courts, volleyball, and basketball fill the grounds, with a golf driving range, bike rentals, walking trails, hiking, and biking from the property. A camp store, bar, and snack bar serve pizza, ice cream, a Friday fish fry, and beachside treats, with live music and planned activities through the season. The park also operates as a wedding venue. Pets are welcome. Sparta wears its title as the Bicycling Capital of America with genuine pride, and the Driftless Region's trail connections run directly from the area. Memorial Day through Labor Day is the peak. Reserve well ahead.

Lake View Lodge

9 Cabins

Lake View Lodge sits on the shores of Shagawa Lake in Ely, Minnesota — a lakeside cabin resort in the Boundary Waters gateway community that has provided fishing, boating, and wilderness vacation experiences for over 18 years in a setting where the Shagawa's 2,000-plus acres of walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, perch, and bluegill habitat provide the kind of multi-species fishing variety that sustains a full week of angling without returning to the same spot twice. Ely's position at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness gives the lodge a dual character — a fully comfortable lakeside fishing retreat in its own right, and the most practical staging base for the BWCAW wilderness canoe travel that draws paddlers from across the upper Midwest. Each cabin at Lake View Lodge comes fully equipped with a complete kitchen, a contemporary bathroom with shower, and air conditioning — the amenity set that ensures guests can focus on the lake and the wilderness rather than the management of basic lodging logistics. The pontoon boat furnished with each cabin unit gives guests immediate and highly accessible watercraft from the moment of arrival, removing the equipment-sourcing step that typically requires a separate marina transaction. The combination of full kitchen, A/C, and included pontoon boat gives Lake View Lodge a practical self-sufficiency particularly suited to multi-generational fishing groups and families with children who benefit from the lodge's comfort infrastructure alongside the lake's recreational depth. Shagawa Lake's fishery reflects the productivity of the Canadian Shield lake environment — clear, cold, oligotrophic water over a granite and glacial till basin that supports the forage base for healthy year-round populations of walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, and bluegill. The lake's connectivity to the broader BWCAW watershed means the fish populations benefit from the wild corridor of protected lakes and streams extending north from Shagawa into the Boundary Waters, maintaining the wild character of the fishery in a lake immediately accessible from town. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the most visited wilderness area in the United States, encompasses over one million acres of lake-and-portage canoe country along the Minnesota-Ontario border — a network of over 1,000 lakes connected by portage trails where motor travel is restricted or prohibited and the experience of extended paddling travel through a genuinely intact subarctic wilderness ecosystem is available within paddling distance of Ely's outfitter row. The International Wolf Center in Ely provides the most comprehensive public wolf biology education program in North America, with live ambassador wolves and interpretive exhibits that connect the lodge's wilderness location to the ecological significance of the species that defines the BWCAW's predator community. Lake View Lodge operates through the northern Minnesota outdoor season, with ice-out in May launching the open-water fishing season that runs through freeze-up in November. The BWCAW canoe season peaks from June through early September, and the fall fishing calendar for walleye and northern pike provides particularly productive angling as the water cools and fish activity increases ahead of winter. Reserve cabins well ahead for the prime summer and fall fishing windows, when Ely's lodging inventory fills from the BWCAW outfitter and fishing tourism market that defines the community's visitor economy.

from $220/night

Red Barn Campground & Restaurant

33 RV Sites, 2 Cabins, 10 Tent Sites, 3 Onsite RV/Trailers

On the bluffs above the Mississippi River in the northeastern Iowa town of Lansing, Red Barn Campground and Restaurant brings together a genuine camping experience and a working restaurant operation in a setting that takes full advantage of the scenic drama of the Great River Road. The campground's signature feature is a beautifully converted early-1900s barn that houses the office, arcade, and bar alongside the on-site restaurant—open Thursday through Sunday—serving as a social focal point for guests who find that a good meal at the end of a river day is worth something. With over 100 sites and easy access to the Mississippi just two miles down the road, this is one of the Upper Midwest's more distinctive camping destinations. Sites at Red Barn are primarily grass pull-throughs on level gravel access roads with modern full hookups suited to rigs of most sizes. Mini golf, a playground, and a spacious pavilion give families on-site options, while a trout stream threading through the property provides immediate fishing access without a drive. Sports courts covering basketball, volleyball, foursquare, and dodgeball supply an athletic outlet, and the barn's arcade keeps younger campers occupied on slower afternoons. Boat rentals are available for those who want to make the short trip to the river itself. Walking trails wind through the wooded grounds, and cabins offer a comfortable alternative to tents or rigs for guests who prefer a roof overhead. The Mississippi River bluff country of northeastern Iowa is among the most scenic river landscapes in the Midwest. Lansing sits at the base of dramatic bluffs that rise steeply from the floodplain, and the views from the heights above town extend across the river into Wisconsin. Effigy Mounds National Monument—preserving the earthwork mounds built by Indigenous people along the river corridor over two thousand years—is a short drive north and among the most quietly moving historic sites in the region. The riverfront is excellent for birding, particularly during spring and fall migration when bald eagles, American white pelicans, and waterfowl concentrate along the Mississippi in large numbers. The town of Lansing has the honest character of a small Mississippi River community—local bars, bait shops, and riverside restaurants without the polish of a tourist destination. The wider region stretches toward the Iowa wine and craft beer trail, where small-scale wineries and breweries have established themselves in the Driftless Area's hills. The Great River Road scenic byway—one of the country's oldest designated scenic routes—runs directly through Lansing and connects to river towns in both directions for leisurely day-drive exploration. Wisconsin's river towns and the bluff country of Minnesota's Hiawatha Valley are reachable for those who want to follow the river further. Red Barn operates seasonally and draws a strong local following that supplements destination campers who come specifically for the Mississippi River setting. Weekend reservations are recommended, and summer weekends fill well in advance. Whether you're driving the Great River Road, chasing the Mississippi bass and walleye fishery, or looking for a campground with a genuinely good burger at the end of the day, Red Barn in Lansing makes a strong case for stopping and staying. Book a site and see the river country at its best.

from $31/night