Black River State Forest RV & Campground Guide
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Rolling hills, sandstone bluffs, and thousands of trees make up the gorgeous 68,000 acres of Black River State Forest in west-central Wisconsin. Two forks of the Black River run through the park, creating recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat. Inside the park is Dike 17 Wildlife Area, a 3,700-acre area dedicated to preserving habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Nearby Cities: • Black River Falls, WI • Neilsville, WI • Marshfield, WI • Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Spring 43-72 F
Summer 80-84 F
Fall 43-74 F
Winter 25-31 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Black River State Forest
Castle Mound Campground • Water hookup: No • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 50 feet • Other amenities: Shower building, vault and flush toilets, firewood sales, picnic shelter, garbage and recycling station, dump station, and a playground. East Fork Campground • Water hookup: No • Electrical hookup: No • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 50 feet • Other amenities: Vault toilets, hand pump, firewood sales, garbage and recycling station Pigeon Creek Campground • Water hookup: No • Electrical hookup: No • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 50 feet • Other amenities: Vault toilets, hand pump, firewood sales, garbage and recycling station, canoe launch, swimming beach, and bike trail access
Russell Memorial Park and Campground
Russell Memorial Park and Campground sits on Lake Arbutus in the town of Dewhurst. It's close to Levis Mound Recreational Area and features many campsite opportunities for RVs with water, electric, and sewer hookups. Some amenities included are Wi-Fi, a dump station, a convenience store, a laundry facility, and three shower houses. Lake Arbutus consists of 821 acres of water that are often boasted as the best fishery in Clark County. There are four boat landings for easy access to the lake. Pets are welcome.
Parkland Village Campground
Parkland Village Campground sits in the gorgeous Black River Falls area with 80 spacious sites for tent and RV camping. The majority of the sites offer sewer, water, and electric hookup accessibility. This pet-friendly campground has direct access to 235 miles of ATV and snowmobile trails. A computer kiosk, a pool table, a TV lounge, darts, and board games are some of the Parkland Village amenities. The campground is near dining, a waterpark, shopping, horseback riding, and hiking trails.
What to Do at
Black River State Forest
The vast nature at Black River State Forest translates into loads of recreational opportunities for visitors all year. During the warmer months, hiking, biking, and camping are popular. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are popular in the winter months.
Inside Black River State Forest
Inside the Black River State Forest, there are 33 miles of ATV trails linked with Clark County and Jackson trails for motorcycles and ATVs; some restrictions may apply in parts of the forest. The river provides excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities with some mild rapids and moderately rocky areas. Forest lakes, flowages, and the Black River are ideal for catching musky, walleye, largemouth bass, catfish, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. There are many hiking opportunities in the forest; the Wildcat and Smrekar trailheads offer 24 miles of multiple-trail use for hiking and biking. Winter activities inside the park include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Fishing
At the different fishing areas of the park, you're likely to reel in walleye, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, musky, catfish, and trout.
Geocaching
You can locate a geocache at the end of one of the scenic vistas. It is a moderate hike, and the cache includes some free goodies.
Nature Watching
If you spend some time exploring the trails, you'll likely find elk roaming through the forest. After being absent from the area for over 125 years, they were reintroduced in 2015. If you look up, you'll find yellow-billed cuckoo and many other bird species, so be sure to pack your binoculars!
Stargazing
Black River State Forest is situated in a remote location away from city lights, making it the perfect spot for observing the night sky. Try to move away from the campground and pick an open area away from tree cover for the best viewing.
Flora and Fauna
With such a large forested area, you're sure to find a variety of plants and animals. Black bears, bobcats, whitetail deer, and smaller critters run through the park to the amusement of visitors. Trees making up the forest include jack pine, oak, and aspen. You may also discover red maple stands and oak barrens. In addition, there are a number of rare or endangered plant and animal species in the forest, including gray wolves, Kirtland's warblers, Karner blue butterflies, beak grass, and sand violets.
Hiking
Multi-use trails stretch through Black River State Forest. You'll find nature trails with interpretive signs at Pigeon Creek and Castle Mound campgrounds. Trails are also at the Perry Creek day-use area and East Fork campground. Once the snow arrives, park staff groom the routes, providing excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
Boating
Perry Creek and Teal Flowage provide motorized boat and canoe access. The East Fork of the Black River offers paddlers a scenic float with mild rapids. The other fork is calmer and may be better for fishing by boat.
Swimming
There is a sandy swimming beach at Pigeon Creek with drinking water and restrooms. This is the only designated swimming area at Black River State Forest, but swimming is allowed anywhere in the park unless signage states otherwise.
Biking
Sand, gravel, and grass paths make up 27 miles of biking trails in the park and offer riders scenic views. North Loop is a gradual ascent to the summit of Bradbury and is suitable for beginners. If you are looking for a challenge, 0 Trail is a technical single-track route with hairpin turns that passes through a rock garden.
How to Get to
Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest is an expansive area with many roads leading in and out. From Black River Falls, take Highway 54 East to find the park headquarters near the Castle Mound Campground. Parking is plentiful throughout the park, including in the campgrounds and spots off of many of the main roads.
Entering Black River State Forest
There is no fee to enter the park, but a vehicle admission sticker is required. This sticker is valid for all state parks and may be purchased for a single day or a year. It is available at the park office, online, or through any Department of Natural Resources service center in Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black River State Forest
Late spring through early fall offers the mildest weather at Black River State Park and is perfect for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, boating, and swimming. If you love snow, check out the park during the winter months for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Black River State Forest is home to a wide array of critters, including black bears, bobcats, raccoons, squirrels, whitetail deer, beavers, and eastern fox snakes. Waterfowl, wild turkeys, woodcock, and yellow-billed cuckoos also call the park home.
RV camping spots are available in all three campgrounds inside Black River State Forest. Fourteen sites in Castle Mound Campground have electrical hookups. However, there are no hookups in the other camping areas.
You are required to reserve your campsite before occupying it. This can be done online or by telephone. The nightly cost of a site ranges from $15 to $28.
Pets are generally welcome in the park and campgrounds but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less and under control at all times. Pets are not allowed in buildings, playgrounds, picnic areas, or the designated swimming area.