Nelson Dewey State Park
4.2392 reviewsNelson Dewey State Park
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
45 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
45 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsNelson Dewey State Park
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
4.23
Satisfactory
Based on 92 reviews
315 Google reviews
Most mentioned
viewsquietcleanshowers
Some mention
noisebugsmosquitoes
"Visitors consistently praise the bluff‑top Mississippi River views, quiet/serene atmosphere, well‑spaced wooded sites, and clean restrooms/showers. Common negatives are buggy, humid summers, gravel‑heavy tent pads, occasional train noise, and limited on‑site activities or water access."
Best Time to Camp at Nelson Dewey State Park
Summer brings warm days perfect for hiking and wildlife watching, though you'll want to pack bug spray for mosquitoes and other insects. The elevated location means thunderstorms roll through with impressive displays of lightning and rumbling thunder that echo across the valley—nature's own dramatic performance from your front-row seat on the bluff.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.
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
About Nelson Dewey State Park
Perched high above the Mississippi River, Nelson Dewey State Park is a hidden gem where tranquility meets breathtaking views. This intimate campground offers well-spaced sites tucked among the trees, including four premium walk-in spots right on the bluff's edge—where you'll wake up to sweeping river valley panoramas that stretch for miles.
A mix of drive‑in campsites (about 40–45 sites, many with electricity) and a few coveted walk‑in/cart‑in bluff tent sites (A–D) that sit on the bluff edge and offer prime river views.
Historical SignificanceNearby Stonefield Historic Site interprets the estate and agricultural history of Wisconsin’s first governor; the park is often visited in combination with nearby historical and river attractions.
Weather and SeasonsSummer brings warm days perfect for hiking and wildlife watching, though you'll want to pack bug spray for mosquitoes and other insects. The elevated location means thunderstorms roll through with impressive displays of lightning and rumbling thunder that echo across the valley—nature's own dramatic performance from your front-row seat on the bluff.
Natural Features and SceneryRising 500 feet above the mighty Mississippi, the park showcases the stunning Driftless Area landscape—a region untouched by glaciers and sculpted into dramatic wooded bluffs, deep ravines, and sun-dappled prairie clearings. Winding trails lead through towering hardwood forests to multiple scenic overlooks, each offering a new perspective on the river valley below. Keep your eyes skyward for soaring bald eagles, and watch for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and other woodland creatures that call these bluffs home.
Geological RegionDriftless Area (wooded bluffs, ravines, and overlooks)
Advertisement
Campsite details
Total Campsites45 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
Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)
Amenities available
Showers
Potable water
Cell phone service
Flush toilets
Vault toilets
Electricity hookups
Activities you can enjoy
Primary activities are hiking to multiple Mississippi River bluff overlooks and scenic viewing; wildlife viewing (river birds, bald eagles) is commonly noted. The park is small with a short trail network and few built recreational amenities.
Hiking
Short hiking trails totaling roughly 2–2.5 miles with multiple scenic overlooks, moderate hills and stairs, and one paved accessible short loop.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsTimber rattlesnakes are reported in the bluff region—hikers are advised to stay on trails and use caution. Train noise from tracks near Cassville is audible at times. Some sites can flood or pond in heavy rain, especially where gravel pads alter drainage.
Weather at Nelson Dewey State Park
-2
°F
Dec 14
Sunday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 8.7 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 complaintsMany tent sites have heavy gravel making pitching uncomfortable without thick pads; some sites are short for long RVs; mosquitoes/bugs in summer; audible train noise from nearby tracks; limited hiking mileage and no on‑site swimming/river access.
Campground Map
Nelson Dewey State Park
Access via local roads to Cassville; reviewers note some narrow campground roads and low branches that may require caution for longer RVs or Class A/fifth-wheel units.
Nearby supplies
Town of Cassville (supplies, dining, amenities)
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.2
92 reviews
Nelson Dewey State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitors consistently praise the bluff‑top Mississippi River views, quiet/serene atmosphere, well‑spaced wooded sites, and clean restrooms/showers. Common negatives are buggy, humid summers, gravel‑heavy tent pads, occasional train noise, and limited on‑site activities or water access.
Review Summaries
Based on 92 reviews
What Campers Love
Spectacular bluff views and sunsets from the walk‑in sites; clean, well‑maintained restrooms and showers; quiet, lightly used campground with well‑spaced, private sites.
Based on 92 reviewsCommon Concerns
• **Gravel‑covered tent sites**: Recent tent campers report that many sites now have heavy gravel, making it hard to pitch multiple tents and uncomfortable without pads; in rain, water can pool on...
Based on 92 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Reserve one of the four walk‑in bluff sites early; bring thick sleeping pads or footprints for rocky/rocky tent pads and extra tent stakes for gravel sites; pack insect repellent; plan other nearby...
Based on 92 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
“The real secret here is campsites A, B, C, and D… They are literally situated on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.”; “Beautiful views… Showers are clean and work.”
Based on 92 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Last updated December 14, 2025
Advertisement