Blackhawk County Park

Located 3 miles north of De Soto, WI on Highway 35, Blackhawk County Park offers two public boat ramps providing excellent access to Mississippi River Pool 9. The park features dedicated trailer parking, a bait and tackle shop, and 500 feet of river frontage along a scenic forested bend. With 37 seasonal boat slips and 11 campsites available for reservation, it's an ideal base for multi-day paddling trips. Contact the park at 608-648-3314 for current conditions, amenities, and reservation information.

The Mississippi River at this location is a major waterway with substantial flow—averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second. Paddlers should expect a powerful current and be prepared for large barge traffic typical of this pool section. The river's gentle average gradient (0.8 ft/mile) makes it suitable for various skill levels, though local conditions and water levels can vary seasonally. This is an ideal launch point for exploring Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

Beyond the boat ramps, Blackhawk County Park offers a full range of amenities including a beach, picnic shelters, fishing docks, and a dump station with potable water, making it a comfortable destination for boaters, kayakers, and canoeists seeking extended river recreation.

Overview
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.Recreation
Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation.

Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout...

Overview
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.Recreation
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. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to natural crafts programs.

Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the river.Facilities
The campground offers 150 campsites, including 73 with electrical hookups. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring provided. Flush toilets and showers are located in the West Camping loop. There are no full-hook up sites but a dump station and potable water are located within the park.

The park also has a beach, two picnic shelters, two boat ramps, two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, fishing docks.Natural Features
This peaceful park is situated on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oaks, river birch and willow trees forest the site, offering nice shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn.

Visitors commonly see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, blue herons, ducks, geese, whitetail deer and wild turkey.
Nearby Attractions
The small river towns of DeSoto, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa are nearby. DeSoto is 5 minutes south, Lansing is 15 minutes south with a few restaurants and shops. LaCrosse, Wisconsin is 30 minutes north, with restaurants, shops, galleries and farmers markets.

Effigy Mounds National Monument which is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) is located about a 40 minutes south of Blackhawk Park and offers excellent hiking opportunities, and well as picturesque views, and a visitor center, and is free to enter.

The Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing Iowa is a short 15 minute drive south, and explores the cultural, recreational, natural, and historical significance of the Driftless Area.

Read More Read Less