Blackhawk Park
Mississippi River - Pool 9 — riverside, fishing
Location: DESOTO, WI, WI
Price: From $18 per night
Price range: $18–$40 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (530 reviews)
Season: May through October
Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi’s Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk’s most popular forms of recreation. Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/blackhawk-park to be notified when sites open up.
Blackhawk Park is the largest public use facility in Mississippi's Pool 9, located on a forested bend of the Mississippi River offering boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Park rangers provide interpretive programs throughout the summer based on recreation, local history, and the environment.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, White-tailed Deer, and Eastern Chipmunks are present in the area.
Insider tips for Blackhawk Park: Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand. Bring a self-contained RV as most sites have no hookups. Take advantage of ranger-led interpretive programs available throughout summer.
Skip Blackhawk Park if: You need full RV hookups - no hookups available at most sites.. You plan to camp outside May through October - seasonal operations only.. You prefer a quieter experience - this is the largest public facility in the area..
Best time to visit Blackhawk Park: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October with ranger-led programs throughout the summer..
Nearby campgrounds: Grant River (Potosi, WI).
Cell Phone Coverage at Blackhawk Park
Cell signal at Blackhawk Park (DESOTO, WI): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi’s Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk’s most popular forms of recreation. Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV as most sites have no hookups.
Take advantage of ranger-led interpretive programs available throughout summer.
Campground operates seasonally May through October with ranger-led programs throughout the summer.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From DeSoto, WI, travel 3 miles north on HWY 35 and turn left on County Road BI. From LaCrosse, WI, travel 25 miles south on HWY 35 and turn right on County Road BI.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mississippi River - Pool 9 fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mississippi River - Pool 9 before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Blackhawk Park cost per night?+
What season is Blackhawk Park open?+
Does Blackhawk Park have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Blackhawk Park?+
How do I make reservations at Blackhawk Park?+
What is the cell service like at Blackhawk Park?+
What season is Blackhawk Park open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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