The best beach camping near Onalaska

15mi from Onalaska · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Brownsville, MN

(316)

Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.

4. Upper Iowa Resort RV Sites

36mi from Onalaska · 40 sites · RVs · Dorchester, IA

Discover the unique charm of Upper Iowa Resort, nestled in the picturesque Northeast Iowa along the banks of the stunning Upper Iowa River, conveniently located between Dorchester and Waukon. This serene getaway offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, featuring cozy cabins, spacious campsites, and convenient river rentals. At Upper Iowa Resort, you'll find a variety of amenities designed for family fun and relaxation. Enjoy a refreshing dip in our spring-fed swimming pool, complete with a sandy beach, or let the kids explore multiple playgrounds. Engage in friendly competition on our basketball court or sand volleyball court. For those seeking adventure, we offer canoe and kayak rentals, along with shuttle services to enhance your river experience and just be sure to book in advance! Unplug and unwind in this tranquil setting, where cell phone service is limited, allowing you to truly connect with nature. If you need to stay connected, complimentary Wi-Fi is available. Explore the surrounding area for even more outdoor activities. Visit local shops, wineries, and breweries in nearby towns, or embark on a hiking adventure at Mt. Hosmer in Lansing, which offers breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. You can also find scenic trails in Waukon and Decorah. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole to cast a line

Public campgrounds near Onalaska

11mi from Onalaska · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Great River Bluffs State Park

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Great River Campground

11mi from Onalaska · 400 sites · Tents, RVs · in Goose Island Park

Goose Island Park Campground

20mi from Onalaska · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

(2)

Reno Horse Campground

Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area

24mi from Onalaska · 5 sites · in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

28mi from Onalaska · 8 sites · in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge

30mi from Onalaska · 175 sites · Tents, RVs · in Blackhawk Park

Blackhawk Park Campground

Merrick Campground

33mi from Onalaska · 66 sites · Tents, RVs · in Merrick State Park

Castle Mound Campground

35mi from Onalaska · 37 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black River State Forest

37mi from Onalaska · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black River State Forest

Pigeon Creek Campground

44mi from Onalaska · 114 sites · Tents, RVs · in Whitewater State Park MN

(7)

Cedar Hill and Goosberry Glen

44mi from Onalaska · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mill Bluff State Park

Mill Bluff Campground

45mi from Onalaska · 2 sites · in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

Isinours Management Unit

Stories from the community

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Daphne

October 2025

Tent

Beautiful, secluded campsite with a babbling brook running through!! The region is gorgeous in the fall. The outhouse was clean and well kept. Tai + Stella’s visitor guide and map were very informative and easy to follow. Logan brought us firewood and allowed us to enjoy the area in peace. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an escape out in nature.

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Kyle

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Patty and Michelle are awesome hosts. Very available and acommodating if you need anything but totally out of your hair otherwise. Heart's Content was a lovely spot where you could hear the soft trickle of water flowing from pond to pond as you slept. Very close to a lot of cool spots including a great bluff hike in Reno, MN, and great boating/island hopping opportunities at Goose Island in LaCrosse, WI. The farm animals were all very chill and friendly and were very respectful of our space at the campsite, like not wandering in and being all up on us while we prepped meals or anything like that. They'd sometimes graze on the underbrush that rings the site. The goats loved being fed food scraps like carrot/potato skins, banana peels, etc. There was a very clean and well maintained outhouse on the premises and a water spigot nearby with very clean water. Great price on a generous amount of firewood that is stored in a dry shelter. Buy it in person, not through the app. ;)

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Bryan

October 2025

Tent

Off the beaten path, rustic & quiet (human-wise) but lots of wildlife sounds & horse/buggies echo peacefully through the valley. Pack to be self-sufficient & it’s a wonderful piece of land to get off the grid - especially setting up next to the cold, clear stream

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Megan

September 2025

Tent

With pets

What a gem! This magical valley offers private campsites with a meandering creek running by—perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Settle into your hammock with a book, then stargaze under some of the darkest, most breathtaking skies you’ll ever see. The resident herd of sheep adds so much charm—you can watch and listen to them as you relax. The outhouse is impressively clean and well-kept, and you can purchase nice-sized bundles of firewood right on site. Honestly, you don’t need to leave the property for a fun, restorative weekend. For a little adventure, hike up Rainbow Ridge and catch sight of the neighbor’s horses. Did I mention this place is magical? I can’t wait to come back!

Kyle

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The English Pale Campground (21+)

I've used Hicamp for a while now and visited my fair share of spots around Wisconsin. This one has been my hands down favorite. The seclusion, the river, the private beach, and the proximity to a small town made this the ideal spot for me and my fellow campers. We most certainly will be renting this location again in the future!

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Ethan

September 2025

Tent

We stayed at the second campsite in Beaver Haven. An amazing spot with the stream looping around it. Outhouses are in top notch shape! Fresh spring water was a plus too! The hosts are great at communication and offering assistance to their guests.

Beautiful springtime view from the north side of the tobacco barn.

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AJ

September 2025

Tent

The camp was absolutely beautiful and Tai and Stella were great, leading us to the site and showing us around. The farm is picturesque and the spring water was icing on the cake. There is a spring that flows through the farm and you wake up in the morning to birds and a babbling brook.

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Grace

September 2025

Tent

Flutterby Farm was the most magical place to camp for the weekend! We can’t wait to return someday. My partner and I stayed at one of the campsites in Beaver Haven and enjoyed listening to all of the sounds of the local wildlife, stargazing, and dipping our toes in the creek that runs through the campsites. Tai was so kind and showed us around when we arrived. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to experience the magic of the Driftless Region!

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Katianna

September 2025

Tent

With pets

This space is like a dream, definitely not like any campground I've been to before. The winding country roads passing by buggies and neighbors waving were signs we were going to the right place. Our site was surrounded by a babbling creek that we splashed around in during the day. The dogs especially enjoyed that part! Each site was spread out and private, with the creek joining the grounds together. The compost outhouse was awesome and I never had to wait in line even with all of the spots occupied. It was so peaceful and tranquil but we also felt able to let loose and have joyful moments. Having spring water and firewood available was amazing and we only had to leave the property once to reup on supplies (theres poor service but reliable wifi to upload maps to the nearest stores, noted on the welcome guide). If you have dogs or children there are spots that are more secluded to choose from. We liked Coyote to camp by our cars but our pups are still practicing not barking hello every time a neighbor passed by. We felt so lucky to have to found this slice of bliss amongst the acres of farmland and rolling forests. Being there exceeded our expectations and we can't wait to go back.

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Ethan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Shady Rest Acres was amazing. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. The donkeys and goats were really friendly when they approached you to check things out and the cows were great to watch. The hosts were super friendly and answered any questions right away with helpful information. Secluded area which was very peaceful and where I could check out the milky way at night. 12/10 would book again

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Lydia

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at 🦫 Flutterby 🦋 Farm 👩🏽‍🌾

It was my second time at Flutterby Farm. I really love this property and I’m so thankful Tai and Stella and Logan are so generous to share their slice of heaven with the rest of us. The star gazing is unbeatable and having creek access at each campsite is a huge bonus. My Labradors were loving the water. My friends and I have always felt safe and welcomed and I plan to return again in the future!

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Brittney

August 2025

Tent

With pets

There aren't words to express how gorgeous this place is. If you get a chance to go, do it! The hosts are so gracious and the sites and perfectly maintained.

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Corelia

August 2025

Tent

With kids

The area was beautiful, the outhouse very clean and the kids loved playing in the creek.

Andrew

August 2025

3 nights at Shady Rest Acres

Perfect place to decompress, with a touch of the farm life. The hosts were kind and available, letting us know how to approach the animals on our own time.

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Zachary

August 2025

Tent

Always a peaceful and calming time at this driftless gem!

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Kelsey

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at 🦫 Flutterby 🦋 Farm 👩🏽‍🌾

Amazing setting for a camping trip! The stream weaves around and through the campsites and allows for a lot of fun water play activities. My kids did a lot of bark boat racing, and splashing around. Kept them busy for hours. At the end of the day they put themselves to bed they were so tired. The prairie and trails are beautiful as well. So many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Great place for some private rest and relaxation. We'll definitely be back again!

Completely relaxed and sleeping after a day of play on the beach and hiking up and down.

Pedro

August 2025

13 ft travel trailer

3 nights at The English Pale Campground (21+)

My dog and I arrived pulling our teardrop to spend three absolutely wonderful days and nights. We came for the dark skies to watch the meteor showers. We did see some burning re-entry of some space junk. Truly dark-sky areas are very special to me. This place is one of those places. The new outdoor shower and sink area are just the best. Nothing better than a shower after spending the day playing on the beach and in the Black River. This is truly a special spot. I’m a kayaker and the Black River is a great waterway for paddling or just floating. Cal is a wonderful host who seems to be always available even though I know he’s got a lot of stuff “on the stove.” The improvements he is making are just going to heighten the camping experience for future guests. Put this place on your favorite Hipcamp destination list. ❤️

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Courtney

August 2025

Tent

1 night at 🦫 Flutterby 🦋 Farm 👩🏽‍🌾

Definitely off the beaten path— no cell service in the immediate area. But the site is private, the land is expansive with many spots to explore, and it is absolutely gorgeous. We had an excellent time with a campfire and a great night’s sleep. Tai and Stella send a great guide to the site and the area and we were able to have an awesome meal at the Driftless Cafe nearby. Wish we had more time here!

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Leo

August 2025

Tent