Yellowstone State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Officially called Yellowstone Lake State Park, this park near Blanchardville, Wisconsin, is a fantastic place to play on the 453-acre lake, one of the few lakes in the southwest part of the state. This park, which opened shortly after Yellowstone Lake started filling up in 1954 after workers completed the dam, is in the Yellowstone Lake State Wildlife Area. Nearby, tour the Cave of the Mounds, go for a paddling adventure on the Pecatonica River, and ride along the 40-mile-long Military Ridge State Trail.
Spring 42-66 F
Summer 58-77 F
Fall 41-71 F
Winter 11-28 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Yellowstone State Park
There are 128 campsites at Yellowstone State Park. Campers will find electric hookups at 38 of them. Flush toilets, a dump station, and showers are available during the warmer months. During winter, campers will find vault toilets and drinking water. There are two ADA-compliant sites. Sites can be booked up to 11 months in advance.
What to Do at
Yellowstone State Park
The main reason that people come to Yellowstone State Park is to play on Yellowstone Lake, where you can fish, swim, paddle, fish, and boat. There are over 13 miles of hiking trails and four miles of off-road biking trails. Seasonally, you can go hunting and trapping as long as you stay 100 yards from park buildings. Enjoy a picnic in one of the nine picnic areas. One of these is ADA-compliant and reservable.
Fishing
If you forgot to bring your fishing gear, free loaner gear is available at the park's office. Anglers can keep up to two walleye, sauger, and their hybrids between 15 and 18 inches, channel and flathead catfish between 15 and 24 inches, and largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 and 15 inches. Additionally, anglers can keep one muskellunge that is at least 50 inches long.
Nature Watching
Many people come to this area to watch for pheasants. Hikers may also see deer, wild turkeys, and squirrels, especially along the trails bordering the Yellowstone Lake Wildlife Area. Across the park, visitors may see groundhogs, foxes, and cottontail rabbits. Wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese often use the lake as a resting spot while migrating. In addition, campers often gather in the evening to watch the little brown bats fly out of their homes.
Flora and Fauna
Head to the evening campfire programs when they focus on the prairie ecosystem to learn more about this park's flora and fauna. While exploring, you will likely see sedge, yarrow, and flowering spruce blooming near the lake. At higher elevations, you may see leadplant, thimbleweed, and pussytoes. Depending on the availability of staff, guided hikes may also be offered.
Hiking
There are at least nine hiking trails to explore. The longest is the Blue Ridge Trail. You can get on this loop trail near the park's office or concession stand. This 3.5-mile-long trail connects to several other trails so that hikers can extend their expedition. It offers beautiful views of the lake and the wooded area.
Swimming
While no lifeguards are on duty, the swimming beach is popular in the summer. There is a shower house near it.
Boating
Visitors can often see sailboats, row boats, fishing boats, and other personal watercraft on Yellowstone Lake. Boat rentals are available on the lake's east end during warmer months. There are two boat ramps and a canoe launching area.
Biking
There are three bike trails at Yellowstone State Park, shared with hikers. The longest of these trails is the Oak Grove Trail, which starts near the boat landing. While hikers can walk around this trail as a loop, bikers can only ride on its west side. Some steep hills are along this trail, but most of it is gently rolling terrain.
How to Get to
Yellowstone State Park
Getting to this park from Blanchardville, Wisconsin, is easy. Start by heading south on South Main Street. Turn right on West School Street and get on County Highway F South. Turn left on North Lake Road, and you will see the park on your right.
Entering Yellowstone State Park
This park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. There are parking lots near each of the picnic areas, and each lot has parking spots that are ADA-accessible.
Yellowstone State Park Entry Fee per vehicle (daily - Wisconsin residents) : $8.0
Yellowstone State Park Entry Fee per vehicle (annual - Wisconsin residents) : $28.0
Yellowstone State Park Entry Fee per vehicle (daily - non-residents) : $11.0
Yellowstone State Park Entry Fee per vehicle (annual - non-residents) : $38.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowstone State Park
Summer is a terrific time to visit Yellowstone State Park. You can go swimming, boating, hiking and fishing.
Visitors may see deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, groundhogs, foxes, cottontail rabbits, wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese. A favorite animal to see is the little brown bat because each one eats up to 600 mosquitoes per hour.
There are designated RV camping spots in the campground at Yellowstone State Park. Most campsites are primitive, but you can find a few with electrical hookups.
Reservations are not always required at Yellowstone State Park, but you can make them up to 11 months in advance. Camping costs about $15 per night for a primitive site.
Pets are allowed in many areas of Yellowstone State Park, but they cannot be in park buildings, the swimming beach, or picnic areas. There is a special area for pets near the swimming beach.