Big River Campground

For local users and travelers seeking "camping near me" in the Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin area, Big River Campground, located at 106 Paquette St, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821, USA, presents a complex picture based on the limited but strongly contrasting customer reviews available. Potential visitors should carefully consider both the positive and negative feedback before making a decision.

One review expresses a highly positive sentiment, with the campers stating, "Deanna and I love our getaway, the Big River Campgrounds!" They highlight the beautiful location "next to the Pickerel Slough of the Mississippi River" and describe the campground as "well kept and well managed." This positive experience over four years suggests that for some, Big River Campground offers a pleasant and enjoyable camping retreat, fostering a sense of community with "many new friends" made at the location. These campers clearly value the environment and management of the campground and look forward to spending more time there.

However, a starkly contrasting review paints a very negative picture of Big River Campground. This reviewer details significant issues with the owners and the nature of the campground itself. They report extreme difficulty in contacting the owners, stating that they "refuse to answer the phone or call back." Their attempt to inquire about a spot in person led to an even more negative experience, where the owners allegedly "literally ignored us at the door, they were visibly inside." When someone finally did answer, the reviewer describes them as "very rude," simply stating "we are full get out."

Further criticisms include "wholly insufficient" signage and the absence of a website or official Facebook page, making it difficult for potential campers to gather information. A particularly distressing incident occurred when the reviewer's cat escaped their vehicle while they were attempting to contact the owners. The reviewer claims that the owners "did not care" and subsequently reported them to the police as trespassing while they were searching for their lost pet. This interaction with the owners is described as deeply negative and unhelpful.

The reviewer also disputes the very nature of Big River Campground, alleging that it is "not a campground at all but a gated trailer park" that "does not welcome the public." They question the existence of the "three so called tent sites" mentioned, stating that despite searching the campground and adjacent areas for a week while looking for their cat, they saw no tents or designated tent sites. This directly contradicts the idea of a public campground that accommodates tent campers.

Adding to the negative perception, the reviewer describes most of the people at the location as "unfriendly and suspicious." This suggests a potentially unwelcoming atmosphere for new visitors. The reviewer, who lives and works at a campground in Minnesota, expresses shock at the consistently poor treatment they received, reiterating their belief that Big River Campground is "NOT even a campground" and advising others to "steer clear!"

The significant discrepancy between these two reviews makes it challenging to form a definitive objective assessment of Big River Campground. The positive review highlights a beautiful location, good management, and a friendly community, suggesting a pleasant long-term experience for some. Conversely, the negative review describes unresponsive and rude owners, a lack of basic infrastructure for transient campers (like clear signage and tent sites), and an unwelcoming atmosphere, even leading to a distressing situation involving a lost pet and police involvement.

Given these conflicting accounts, local users searching for "camping near me" should approach Big River Campground with caution. The lack of a website or active social media presence, as mentioned in the negative review, further limits the ability to gather additional information or see photos of the facilities. The claim that it operates more as a gated trailer park than a public campground is a serious consideration for those specifically seeking tent camping or short-term RV stays.

It is impossible to ascertain the current management's approach or the availability of tent sites based solely on these two reviews. The positive review, being four years old, may not reflect the current conditions or management style described in the very recent and highly negative review.

Without further information or more recent reviews that corroborate either of these experiences, it is difficult to provide a balanced introduction to Big River Campground. The extreme negativity of one review, particularly concerning the owners' behavior and the alleged misrepresentation of the facility as a campground, should not be ignored by potential visitors. Conversely, the positive long-term experience of another camper suggests that there may be aspects of the campground that are appealing to some.

Prospective campers might consider driving by the location to assess the signage and general appearance, although the negative reviewer noted insufficient signage. Attempting to contact the owners via phone, despite the reported difficulty, might also provide some insight into their responsiveness. However, the in-person experience described in the negative review should serve as a significant warning.

In conclusion, for local users seeking "camping near me" in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Big River Campground presents a dichotomy. While one long-term camper speaks highly of its location and management, a recent visitor recounts a severely negative experience characterized by rude and unhelpful owners, a lack of expected campground facilities, and an unwelcoming atmosphere. Due to these starkly contrasting reports and the serious allegations made in the negative review, potential campers should exercise extreme caution and seek additional, more recent information before considering a stay at Big River Campground. It may be prudent to explore alternative campgrounds in the Prairie du Chien area that have more consistently positive and verifiable feedback.

Big River Campground

106 Paquette St, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821, USA