For the best sites overlooking the Mississippi River, yes, make a reservation. If you really want to camp on a holiday weekend or there's a big event going on in the area, check the Reserve America website to see how full the park is before going. Otherwise, this park isn't heavily used and chances are you can get a site without a reservation, especially if you're flexible about when and where you camp. If you camp on weekdays, I doubt you'll need a reservation. Regardless, there is a fee for camping and admission to state parks--see their website as prices are slated to change in 2018. Bring bug spray & have fun!

We weren't in a travel trailer but here's my best recollection: First, none of the electric sites have bluff views...for that try Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien, WI. If the weather is nice--and it changes a lot in summer--camp on the bluff. Be aware the bluff is very exposed & listen to the weather radio in the bathroom. Spectacular views & lots to do--hike, kayak & canoe rentals, etc. In Nelson Dewey go to relax & wind down-- Sites 15-22 are relatively private with some "privacy undergrowth" between sites and, as I recall, are back-in sites...as in, not pull through. (22 may be more open). Not suitable for super big rigs but we saw some small to mid-size trailers set up on these sites. The small loop--sites 25-31--are a little more open but still nicely spaced so you're not on top of each other. These sites may be better for bigger trailers, but probably not the big rigs. I'm guessing 30-31 and 27-28 are companion sites--side by sides if you will. They're great if you're traveling with family friends & want to have easy access to each other's site. There's not much traffic in the park but there's even less in this tiny loop. There is some undergrowth & a small shelter between the bathrooms & sites 30-31. Site 12 is the campground host. This park is administered/staffed via Wyalusing State Park ; contact them for more information. Note: Wyalusing is a popular & busy park north of Nelson Dewey--call on weekdays for best customer service. On the other hand, Nelson Dewey isn't busy--make a reservation & you can switch sites once you get there. The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains two campgrounds right on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Wisconsin--both are considerably more open than the state parks. Blackhawk Campground RV sites are very open--look at Google Earth for an idea--(non-electric / tenting is a little more dispersed) and they accommodate big rigs easily. I think they have packed gravel pads. Not a lot of trees so the overhead is clear. Nice 'lakes' off the main channel to kayak & explore. It seemed like a lot of folks come here to power boat & play on the river. Blackhawk Campground is right next to a private campground with an interesting display of handyman architecture: cabins & trailers on stilts. Grant River Recreation Area has less sites and a few more trees. Sites have concrete pads. Have driven in but haven't camped here. It has a manicured park-like layout with open views of the river. No idea how quickly these book up but it's $20/night. If you head inland stop by the local butcher in Dickeyville (Hauber Brand Meats) or Cuba City (Weber Meats) for something to throw on the grill...and then any travel trailer problems will magically disappear.(One can always hope.) Since I can't post a link, google: US Army Corps of Engineer Wisconsin campgrounds