Blackhawk Park - North

Located 3 miles north of DeSoto on Highway 35 in Vernon County, Blackhawk Park offers a well-developed public boat launch with dedicated trailer parking on Mississippi River Pool 9. The facility features two boat ramps, making it accessible for kayakers, canoeists, and larger motorboats. As the largest public-use facility in Pool 9, the park provides amenities including a fully stocked bait shop, fishing docks, potable water, and a dump station. Note that the park operates on a reservation system; contact 608-648-3fear for current availability and any access conditions.

The Mississippi River at this location is a major waterway with an average flow of 685,000 cubic feet per second and a gentle 0.8 ft/mile gradient, making it manageable for paddlers of various skill levels. The river features a forested main channel with an abundance of sandbars—excellent for beaching kayaks and taking breaks. With 500 feet of river frontage, Blackhawk Park serves as an ideal staging area for exploring Pool 9. The park also offers camping (11 campsites), picnic areas, and fishing opportunities, making it convenient for extended paddling trips or day outings. ADA accessibility is not available at the launch itself.

Overview
Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi's Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.Recreation
Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation.

Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout...

Overview
Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi's Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.Recreation
Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation.

Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to natural crafts programs.

Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the river.Facilities
The campground offers 150 campsites, including 73 with electrical hookups. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring provided. Flush toilets and showers are located in the West Camping loop. There are no full-hook up sites but a dump station and potable water are located within the park.

The park also has a beach, two picnic shelters, two boat ramps, two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, fishing docks.Natural Features
This peaceful park is situated on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oaks, river birch and willow trees forest the site, offering nice shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn.

Visitors commonly see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, blue herons, ducks, geese, whitetail deer and wild turkey.
Nearby Attractions
The small river towns of DeSoto, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa are nearby. DeSoto is 5 minutes south, Lansing is 15 minutes south with a few restaurants and shops. LaCrosse, Wisconsin is 30 minutes north, with restaurants, shops, galleries and farmers markets.

Effigy Mounds National Monument which is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) is located about a 40 minutes south of Blackhawk Park and offers excellent hiking opportunities, and well as picturesque views, and a visitor center, and is free to enter.

The Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing Iowa is a short 15 minute drive south, and explores the cultural, recreational, natural, and historical significance of the Driftless Area.

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