Campgrounds and RV parks near Ellsworth, WI

Ellsworth sits in Pierce County in western Wisconsin, about 40 miles east of the Twin Cities and roughly 10 miles from the Mississippi and St. Croix river valleys. The town works well as a base for RV travelers exploring bluff country on both sides of the Mississippi, with reachable campgrounds in Wisconsin and just across the river in Minnesota. The closest options span a range of styles. Tresure Island RV Park in Welch, Minnesota, is a full-hookup resort-style park on the Prairie Island reservation with pull-through sites and shuttle access to the adjoining casino. Frontenac State Park sits on a bluff above Lake Pepin, while Haycreek Valley Campground occupies a wooded valley south of Red Wing with an on-site saloon and trout stream. Willow River State Park Campground, north of Hudson, is one of the most-booked parks in western Wisconsin thanks to Willow Falls and Little Falls Lake. Rivers Edge Campground rounds out the list for river-focused RV stays. Most sites in the area handle everything from tent setups to large motorhomes, though state park loops vary in hookups and shade.

Wisconsin state park sites, including Willow River State Park Campground, are reserved through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com or by phone at 1-888-947-2757. Reservations open 11 months in advance. Advance bookings made before May 15 for stays between May 15 and October 31 require a two-night minimum, and holiday weekends require a three-night minimum. Winter camping at Willow River is first-come, first-served after facilities close. Minnesota state parks, including Frontenac State Park, book through the Minnesota DNR at mndnr.gov/reservations or by phone at 866-857-2757, up to 120 days in advance. Private parks such as Tresure Island RV Park, Haycreek Valley Campground, and Rivers Edge Campground book directly through the campground. Summer weekends can fill early, so reserve well ahead.