From Newsgroup: rec.outdoors.rv-travel

Finally getting around to reporting on my Wyalusing stay.
This park is in the driftless area of Wisconsin and sits at the
confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. It is up on a 500'
bluff area, and the views a nice at the top.

<https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wyalusing>

There are several campgrounds in the park including an outdoor group
camp and even an indoor one. I had a site in the Homestead campground.
I had tried finding one in the Ridge campground to the north, but it was
all booked. I went up there and I can see why. The sites are right on
the edge of the bluff for many and have awesome views of the rivers
below. It is a little tight getting in and out up there. I'm actually
OK with where I was at as it was easy getting in and out and also very
quiet down there. Nice showers, though it was a push button to get them going. It was not crowded so I actually used it this trip to save on
water since I was staying 4 nights. Still, I had 1/2 a tank when I left.

<https://i.postimg.cc/T1XXskdY/View.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/kGFdPxGd/Site.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/rsCL2Ss8/Fire-Pit.jpg>

The hiking was ok, but the first day I wanted the views so I took the
Old Immigrant trail and wound back on the bluff trail. This took you
down the bluff right along the river and the bugs tried to devour me.
Got back up and it was better on the bluff portion, but still rather
buggy. Not a huge day with just under 4 miles and only about 500' of elevation change. But fighting the bugs sure made it seem further.

<https://i.postimg.cc/8kb3DkwF/Old-Immigrant-Trail.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/zDkM5Dpn/View2.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/SQG5qQVc/Pass.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/xjP7YjgN/Trail1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/ZYLgZYjd/Mushrooms.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/v8vjM8Xn/Swamp.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/BZCysZNH/Steps.jpg>

Next day I went fishing. Tried the Wisconsin river first with leaches
and worms. Shore fishing, so I'm sure it would have been better by
boat, but I only had a few nibbles and pulled in nothing. Went back and
had lunch and then fished the Mississippi. Bugs weren't a problem at
either place, so that was good. It was super nice from the fishing pier
just to be out there. There was a you boy fishing there too and he
caught a couple sunfish. I only got one, a drum. First one I've ever
had. They get big, but mine was small at about 10". At least I didn't
get skunked.

<https://i.postimg.cc/Fz102xDk/Wisconsin-River.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/NFLRWxpr/Mississippi1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/j2CyGhZ7/Mississippi2.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/D0m1tcBJ/Drum.jpg>

Next day I hiked again and tried the Whitetail Meadows Trail. This was
a much easier hike, though I only did 4.5 miles and about 150' of
elevation. It wasn't that hot during the trip, but it was humid. First
hike I wore my glasses and sweating like a bitch was a pain always
trying to wipe my glasses so I could see. This hike I threw in contact
lenses and that made it much more enjoyable not having to worry about
the glasses and I could just grab my hiking towel and wipe my face and
head. Aptly named the Whitetail Meadows, a good buck with a great rack
didn't hear me coming and I got a good view of him munching in a soybean
field before bounding off. This trail is also used by the bikers and
you could see track from a couple of people who rode it earlier in the day.

<https://i.postimg.cc/8zdfX3Ny/Whitetail-Meadows-Trail.jpg>

They had fantastic firewood there and I had a nice fire every night.
Couple cigars and a few beers to wash down my steaks and burgers. When
I was closing my awning I looked up and noticed a bat had gotten up
there. I was quick enough to get it stopped before crushing him, and I
got it down and into the brush safely.

<https://i.postimg.cc/fknkB7FD/Cigar.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/MX2Xd04W/Bat1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/WtLtXmKp/Bat2.png>

This park is only 3 hours from home and I did enjoy the stay. I've rode
the Harley past this place many times and am glad I finally got to walk
and experience the area. I would definitely go back there again.
--
Science DoesnrCOt Support Darwin. Scientists Do

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From Newsgroup: rec.outdoors.rv-travel

On Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:02:08 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:

Finally getting around to reporting on my Wyalusing stay. This
park is in the driftless area of Wisconsin and sits at the
confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. It is up
on a 500' bluff area, and the views a nice at the top.

<https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wyalusing>

Fabulous view! I just love river bluffs, especially along the
Missouri (which I've hiked countless times). And today I learned
what "driftless" means, so thanks for that.

There are several campgrounds in the park including an outdoor
group camp and even an indoor one. I had a site in the
Homestead campground. I had tried finding one in the Ridge
campground to the north, but it was all booked. I went up
there and I can see why. The sites are right on the edge of
the bluff for many and have awesome views of the rivers below.
It is a little tight getting in and out up there. I'm actually
OK with where I was at as it was easy getting in and out and
also very quiet down there. Nice showers, though it was a push
button to get them going. It was not crowded so I actually
used it this trip to save on water since I was staying 4
nights. Still, I had 1/2 a tank when I left.

<https://i.postimg.cc/T1XXskdY/View.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/kGFdPxGd/Site.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/rsCL2Ss8/Fire-Pit.jpg>

I always try for the good view sites too. It can be a bit hard to
tell for sure from maps, but sites being sold out is a pretty good
sign. I like that campsite, looks nice and secluded. I'm not a
fan of those high side fire rings though, seems hard to see the
fire well.

The hiking was ok, but the first day I wanted the views so I
took the Old Immigrant trail and wound back on the bluff trail.
This took you down the bluff right along the river and the bugs
tried to devour me. Got back up and it was better on the bluff
portion, but still rather buggy. Not a huge day with just
under 4 miles and only about 500' of elevation change. But
fighting the bugs sure made it seem further.

<https://i.postimg.cc/8kb3DkwF/Old-Immigrant-Trail.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/zDkM5Dpn/View2.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/SQG5qQVc/Pass.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/xjP7YjgN/Trail1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/ZYLgZYjd/Mushrooms.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/v8vjM8Xn/Swamp.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/BZCysZNH/Steps.jpg>

Looks like a pretty stout hike, and the bugs don't make it any
easier. More nice views! And what was that pass? Looks very
cool.

Next day I went fishing. Tried the Wisconsin river first with
leaches and worms. Shore fishing, so I'm sure it would have
been better by boat, but I only had a few nibbles and pulled in
nothing. Went back and had lunch and then fished the
Mississippi. Bugs weren't a problem at either place, so that
was good. It was super nice from the fishing pier just to be
out there. There was a you boy fishing there too and he caught
a couple sunfish. I only got one, a drum. First one I've ever
had. They get big, but mine was small at about 10". At least
I didn't get skunked.

<https://i.postimg.cc/Fz102xDk/Wisconsin-River.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/NFLRWxpr/Mississippi1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/j2CyGhZ7/Mississippi2.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/D0m1tcBJ/Drum.jpg>

Nice looking fish, though he doesn't look very happy. Lol

Next day I hiked again and tried the Whitetail Meadows Trail.
This was a much easier hike, though I only did 4.5 miles and
about 150' of elevation. It wasn't that hot during the trip,
but it was humid. First hike I wore my glasses and sweating
like a bitch was a pain always trying to wipe my glasses so I
could see. This hike I threw in contact lenses and that made
it much more enjoyable not having to worry about the glasses
and I could just grab my hiking towel and wipe my face and
head.

I'm a heavy sweater too, makes the process less enjoyable when
it's humid for sure. One reason I like the dry climates!

They had fantastic firewood there and I had a nice fire every
night. Couple cigars and a few beers to wash down my steaks and
burgers. When I was closing my awning I looked up and noticed
a bat had gotten up there. I was quick enough to get it
stopped before crushing him, and I got it down and into the
brush safely.

<https://i.postimg.cc/fknkB7FD/Cigar.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/MX2Xd04W/Bat1.jpg> <https://i.postimg.cc/WtLtXmKp/Bat2.png>

Good job saving that bat. Also good you didn't have to clean
crushed bat oof your awning! :)

This park is only 3 hours from home and I did enjoy the stay.
I've rode the Harley past this place many times and am glad I
finally got to walk and experience the area. I would
definitely go back there again.

Nice to have decent campgrounds not a great distance from home.
The Two Rivers state park we tried earlier this year is a good
option for us--less than an hour from home! That means we can
even go if we have something happening in town as it's easy enough
to bop in and back out again.

Thanks for the nice report! I'll have to keep that area in mind
for a future trip. Looks like we could get there in a day that's
not overly exhausting.
--
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> Gretna, NE, USA
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.outdoors.rv-travel

On 8/24/2026 1:43 PM, Ted Heise wrote:

On Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:02:08 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:

Finally getting around to reporting on my Wyalusing stay. This
park is in the driftless area of Wisconsin and sits at the
confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. It is up
on a 500' bluff area, and the views a nice at the top.

<https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wyalusing>

Fabulous view! I just love river bluffs, especially along the
Missouri (which I've hiked countless times). And today I learned
what "driftless" means, so thanks for that.

It's what makes the rolling hills of S/W Wisconsin so attractive.
Mauthe Lake, Governor Dodge, Yellowstone, are all places I've camped in Wisconsin that are State Parks in the Driftless area. Always makes for
great hiking. Heading back to Lake Mauthe in several weeks.

There are several campgrounds in the park including an outdoor
group camp and even an indoor one. I had a site in the
Homestead campground. I had tried finding one in the Ridge
campground to the north, but it was all booked. I went up
there and I can see why. The sites are right on the edge of
the bluff for many and have awesome views of the rivers below.
It is a little tight getting in and out up there. I'm actually
OK with where I was at as it was easy getting in and out and
also very quiet down there. Nice showers, though it was a push
button to get them going. It was not crowded so I actually
used it this trip to save on water since I was staying 4
nights. Still, I had 1/2 a tank when I left.

<https://i.postimg.cc/T1XXskdY/View.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/kGFdPxGd/Site.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/rsCL2Ss8/Fire-Pit.jpg>

I always try for the good view sites too. It can be a bit hard to
tell for sure from maps, but sites being sold out is a pretty good
sign. I like that campsite, looks nice and secluded. I'm not a
fan of those high side fire rings though, seems hard to see the
fire well.

Yeah, most of them were like this, though they did have some that wee
better. As I was using them, I kind of discovered another aspect to
consider. If the whole fire is visible, it makes it hard to see
anything else but the fire when it gets dark. But when you have to pull yourself up close to the pit because of those high sides, I found I
often had to cross my leg and use it to kind of block the majority of
the fire it was so bright. There has to be a nice medium somewhere that people could still use them to cook, but you can also just enjoy a
regular campfire.

The hiking was ok, but the first day I wanted the views so I
took the Old Immigrant trail and wound back on the bluff trail.
This took you down the bluff right along the river and the bugs
tried to devour me. Got back up and it was better on the bluff
portion, but still rather buggy. Not a huge day with just
under 4 miles and only about 500' of elevation change. But
fighting the bugs sure made it seem further.

<https://i.postimg.cc/8kb3DkwF/Old-Immigrant-Trail.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/zDkM5Dpn/View2.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/SQG5qQVc/Pass.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/xjP7YjgN/Trail1.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/ZYLgZYjd/Mushrooms.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/v8vjM8Xn/Swamp.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/BZCysZNH/Steps.jpg>

Looks like a pretty stout hike, and the bugs don't make it any
easier. More nice views! And what was that pass? Looks very
cool.

That narrow pass was on the side where you go from the river up to the
bluff trail. They found a cool way to snake it through the rocks with
the pass and some stairs. There was a cave up there I didn't take a pic
of, but it too was cool.

Next day I went fishing. Tried the Wisconsin river first with
leaches and worms. Shore fishing, so I'm sure it would have
been better by boat, but I only had a few nibbles and pulled in
nothing. Went back and had lunch and then fished the
Mississippi. Bugs weren't a problem at either place, so that
was good. It was super nice from the fishing pier just to be
out there. There was a you boy fishing there too and he caught
a couple sunfish. I only got one, a drum. First one I've ever
had. They get big, but mine was small at about 10". At least
I didn't get skunked.

<https://i.postimg.cc/Fz102xDk/Wisconsin-River.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/NFLRWxpr/Mississippi1.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/j2CyGhZ7/Mississippi2.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/D0m1tcBJ/Drum.jpg>

Nice looking fish, though he doesn't look very happy. Lol

Had a hard time with the hook. Bottom feeders, so they just suck up
food and it got pretty far down in the gills. I ended up just cutting
the line and hoping he'd survive. I don't like doing that, but I just couldn't get it out without ripping his gills all out.

Next day I hiked again and tried the Whitetail Meadows Trail.
This was a much easier hike, though I only did 4.5 miles and
about 150' of elevation. It wasn't that hot during the trip,
but it was humid. First hike I wore my glasses and sweating
like a bitch was a pain always trying to wipe my glasses so I
could see. This hike I threw in contact lenses and that made
it much more enjoyable not having to worry about the glasses
and I could just grab my hiking towel and wipe my face and
head.

I'm a heavy sweater too, makes the process less enjoyable when
it's humid for sure. One reason I like the dry climates!

High Desert is the best. Even when it's hot, you can do things.

They had fantastic firewood there and I had a nice fire every
night. Couple cigars and a few beers to wash down my steaks and
burgers. When I was closing my awning I looked up and noticed
a bat had gotten up there. I was quick enough to get it
stopped before crushing him, and I got it down and into the
brush safely.

<https://i.postimg.cc/fknkB7FD/Cigar.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/MX2Xd04W/Bat1.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/WtLtXmKp/Bat2.png>

Good job saving that bat. Also good you didn't have to clean
crushed bat oof your awning! :)

It's funny when you try and move them in the daytime. They're basically blind, and the bright sun makes it worse. They're at your mercy and it
was good to get it somewhere it could get by until night. I got a half
dozen at my house that come out every night and get pretty close. They
know I'm there sitting on the deck, and really put on a show. Love the
little critters, and they do help with the bugs!

This park is only 3 hours from home and I did enjoy the stay.
I've rode the Harley past this place many times and am glad I
finally got to walk and experience the area. I would
definitely go back there again.

Nice to have decent campgrounds not a great distance from home.
The Two Rivers state park we tried earlier this year is a good
option for us--less than an hour from home! That means we can
even go if we have something happening in town as it's easy enough
to bop in and back out again.

Thanks for the nice report! I'll have to keep that area in mind
for a future trip. Looks like we could get there in a day that's
not overly exhausting.

Wisconsin is a nice place to go, though they do hit the out-of-state
people pretty good in the wallet. But I have been camping up there my
whole life and have so many memories of good times. Course, any place
camping is better than not!
--
Science DoesnrCOt Support Darwin. Scientists Do

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2