Mill Bluff State Park
3.8271 reviewsMill Bluff State Park
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Seasonal park with a...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV FriendlyElectric
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Seasonal park with a...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV FriendlyElectric
Get DirectionsMill Bluff State Park
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Specific campsite fees not provided in source materials. Reviewers note park/parking pass requirements and that vehicle registration/park pass is...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes
167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Share this campground
Going To Camp
ProviderWhat Campers Say
3.82
Mixed Reviews
Based on 71 reviews
561 Google reviews
Most mentioned
cleanbeachwell-maintained
Some mention
noisemosquitoestrain
"Reviews praise the unique sandstone bluffs and the clear, sandy-bottomed swimming pond; campers describe the park as small, scenic, and family-friendly. Frequent negatives are persistent noise from the nearby interstate, freight trains and occasional military aircraft, heavy mosquitoes/ticks in warm months, and very basic (primitive) campground facilities."
Best Time to Camp at Mill Bluff State Park
The park welcomes visitors during the warmer months when the bluffs and pond are at their best, closing for the winter season. Summer brings ideal swimming weather, though you'll want to pack insect repellent—mosquitoes and ticks are active and plentiful during peak season. The rocky, steep trails offer rewarding climbs in dry conditions but require extra caution when wet or icy.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
Planning Tips
- Operating Season: Seasonal park with a short open season; campground is closed in winter per reviewer reports (exact dates not provided).
About Mill Bluff State Park
Discover a hidden gem where ancient Cambrian sandstone bluffs tower dramatically above the landscape and a pristine spring-fed pond invites you to cool off on warm summer days. This intimate, wooded campground offers a peaceful back-to-basics experience with rustic amenities, though campers should note that nearby I-90/94, freight trains, and occasional military aircraft can create periodic noise.
Small, rustic campground serving tent and RV campers with a few electric sites; facilities are primitive compared with larger state-park campgrounds.
Historical SignificanceArea is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve protecting Cambrian sandstone bluffs formed as sea‑stack remnants after glacial activity (~12,000 years ago). Mill Bluff reportedly derives its name from a historic saw mill operated nearby (as noted by reviewers).
Weather and SeasonsThe park welcomes visitors during the warmer months when the bluffs and pond are at their best, closing for the winter season. Summer brings ideal swimming weather, though you'll want to pack insect repellent—mosquitoes and ticks are active and plentiful during peak season. The rocky, steep trails offer rewarding climbs in dry conditions but require extra caution when wet or icy.
Natural Features and SceneryMill Bluff and Carmel Bluff stand like sentinels above the flat glacial plain, their weathered sandstone faces rising 80 to 200 feet into the sky—ancient islands from a long-vanished glacial lake. Challenge yourself on the short but steep trails and stone staircases that lead to an observation deck with sweeping views you won't soon forget. Back at camp, the crystal-clear swimming pond beckons with its sandy beach and playground, while trails wind through mixed forests and skirt the bases of these magnificent geological formations, passing wetlands that teem with wildlife.
Geological RegionCambrian sandstone bluffs and buttes on a former glacial lakebed/driftless terrain; part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve (sandstone sea‑stack remnants).
Advertisement
Campsite details
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Open and Closed SeasonSeasonal park with a short open season; campground is closed in winter per reviewer reports (exact dates not provided).
Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Cell phone service
Vault toilets
Electricity hookups
Activities you can enjoy
Focused on bluff hiking and a family-friendly swimming pond; limited in-park activities beyond short trails and beach play.
Hiking
Short, steep trails with irregular stone staircases to an observation deck on Mill Bluff and additional short bluff loops (Camel Bluff). Trails are rocky and can be strenuous.Swimming
Small spring-fed swimming pond with a sandy bottom and a small beach, shallow and popular with families and kids.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Reviewers note firewood is available for purchase at times (e.g., two bundles for a price), but also report the wood shed has been padlocked at times; a restriction on generators/noise producing devices has also been reported. Exact official campfire rules were not provided.
Hazards
General hazardsHeavy mosquitoes and ticks in warm months; constant noise from adjacent interstate, freight rail (train horns), and occasional military aircraft; steep, rocky stairways and uneven/oddly shaped or unlevel campsites; soft sandy soil that can be messy when wet.
Weather at Mill Bluff State Park
-7
°F
Dec 14
Sunday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 8.9 mph
Clear sky
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast
Good to know
Common complaintsConstant noise from nearby interstate and freight trains (and occasional military jets); heavy mosquitoes and ticks in summer; primitive amenities (no showers, vault/pit toilets, limited or no running water, occasional inoperable water pump); some campsites are uneven or oddly shaped.
Campground Map
Mill Bluff State Park
Driving directionsPark is immediately adjacent to Interstate 90/94 and Highway 12; follow park signage from local exits. The campground and main park area are accessed from the park road that crosses/skirts the interstate (see official park map on the DNR website).
Directly adjacent to Interstate 90/94 and Highway 12; park is bisected/bordered by major road and freight rail lines, making it an easy stop from the interstate but subject to constant traffic/rail noise.Reviews from booking and map sources
3.8
71 reviews
Mill Bluff State Park has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews praise the unique sandstone bluffs and the clear, sandy-bottomed swimming pond; campers describe the park as small, scenic, and family-friendly. Frequent negatives are persistent noise from the nearby interstate, freight trains and occasional military aircraft, heavy mosquitoes/ticks in warm months, and very basic (primitive) campground facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 71 reviews
What Campers Love
Scenic sandstone bluffs with rewarding overlooks, short bluff hikes and stone staircases, a clean sandy-bottom swimming pond and beach ideal for families, generally well-maintained vault toilets and...
Based on 71 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
• **Mosquitoes and ticks**: several TripAdvisor reviews, including in 2025, describe being “eaten alive” and characterize the park as extremely buggy in summer.[1]
• **Noise**: many campers criticize...
Based on 71 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Bring your own potable water and be prepared for limited running water; pack strong insect repellent and do regular tick checks; earplugs or white-noise for light sleepers due to road/train/aircraft...
Based on 71 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
"Great campground with a beautiful beach."; "They tore us up out there, we found 10+ [ticks]."; "Most sites have no electricity so don’t forget the power bank and extra flashlights."; "Probably the...
Based on 71 reviewsShow more
Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Last updated December 14, 2025
Advertisement