Veterans Memorial Campground: Your Outdoor Escape in West Salem, WI

Veterans Memorial Campground Introduce

For those in Wisconsin seeking a tranquil and well-maintained outdoor retreat, Veterans Memorial Campground in West Salem offers a compelling destination. Nestled along the scenic La Crosse River and boasting direct access to the renowned La Crosse River State Trail, this campground has long been a favored spot for families, avid cyclists, and anyone looking to reconnect with nature. While recent feedback indicates some changes in operational policies, the core appeal of Veterans Memorial Campground—its beautiful setting, clean facilities, and convenient location—remains a strong draw for local adventurers.

Veterans Memorial Campground prides itself on providing a wholesome and peaceful atmosphere for campers. It’s a place where the sounds of the river and the rustling leaves replace the clamor of city life, inviting visitors to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of the outdoors. From its shaded, grassy sites to its direct access to extensive biking and hiking trails, it offers a diverse range of activities for various interests. Our objective here is to provide a comprehensive and factual overview of Veterans Memorial Campground, detailing its unique location, the services and amenities it offers, and what makes it a suitable and enduring choice for Wisconsin residents seeking a memorable camping experience.

Veterans Memorial Campground is conveniently located at N4668 County Rd VP, West Salem, WI 54669, USA. This address places it just one mile west of the charming town of West Salem and approximately nine miles east of the larger city of La Crosse, making it highly accessible for residents across Western Wisconsin and beyond. The campground’s strategic position directly on the banks of the La Crosse River is a significant advantage, offering scenic views and immediate access to water-based activities.

A key aspect of its accessibility is its direct connection to the La Crosse River State Trail. This renowned state bike trail runs right alongside the campground, providing an effortless transition from your campsite to miles of paved trail ideal for biking, walking, and even rollerblading. This makes Veterans Memorial Campground a particularly appealing spot for cyclists looking for a convenient stopover or a base for exploring the region's extensive trail network, which connects to other trails like the Elroy-Sparta Trail. Furthermore, its proximity to Interstate 90 ensures a straightforward journey for many, allowing for quick weekend trips or longer, more relaxed stays without the hassle of navigating remote backroads. This combination of riverside tranquility and easy access to major transportation routes and recreational trails makes it an exceptionally convenient and attractive option for Wisconsin locals.

Veterans Memorial Campground offers a range of services and facilities designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of its campers:

Campsite Options: The campground provides numerous sites suitable for both RVs and tents. Many sites are shaded and grassy, with electric hookups (30 and 50 amp) available, catering to a variety of camping setups.
Clean Restrooms and Showers: Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness and maintenance of the campground's bathrooms and hot showers, ensuring a comfortable experience after a day of outdoor activities.
Sanitary Dump Station: A convenient dump station is available on-site for RV campers, simplifying waste disposal.
Camp Store: A camp store is available, where campers can purchase essential supplies, and often firewood and ice, for their convenience.
Laundry Facilities: For longer stays, laundry facilities are available, which is a practical amenity for campers.
Picnic Tables and Fire Pits: Each campsite is typically equipped with a picnic table and a fire pit, perfect for outdoor meals and campfire gatherings.
Canoe Landing: Direct access to the La Crosse River includes a canoe landing, facilitating water activities on the river.

Veterans Memorial Campground is celebrated for several features and highlights that make it a standout choice for outdoor enthusiasts in Wisconsin:

Riverside Location: Situated directly on the banks of the La Crosse River, the campground offers picturesque views and easy access for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying the peaceful flow of the water. Many sites are located right on the river, providing a serene ambiance.
Direct Bike Trail Access: A major highlight is its direct access to the La Crosse River State Trail. This state trail is excellent for biking and hiking, allowing campers to explore the beautiful Wisconsin landscape right from their campsite. It also connects to other trails for extended adventures.
Family-Friendly Amenities: The campground features multiple playgrounds, providing excellent recreational opportunities for children. Its overall well-groomed and wholesome atmosphere is geared towards families, making it a great place for kids to play safely.
Spacious and Shaded Sites: Campers frequently commend the size and natural setting of the sites, which are often grassy and shaded by numerous oak trees. This provides a comfortable and private camping experience.
Pet-Friendly Environment: Dogs are welcome at the campground, provided they are on a leash and kept under control. There is also a dog park on-site, a significant benefit for pet owners.
Quiet and Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite being a popular spot, the campground is noted for its quiet nights, offering a peaceful environment for relaxation after a day of activities.
Friendly Staff and Welcoming Atmosphere: Many past visitors have lauded the friendly and attentive staff, which contributes to a positive and welcoming experience for campers.
Variety of Activities: Beyond biking and kayaking, the campground offers shuffleboard, horseshoes, and plenty of open space for other outdoor activities and group events.

For inquiries, reservations, or any other information regarding Veterans Memorial Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address: N4668 County Rd VP, West Salem, WI 54669, USA

Phone: (608) 789-8599

Mobile Phone: +1 608-789-8599

It is always advisable to contact the campground directly, especially for current rules, availability, and to make reservations, as policies can evolve. While a recent review highlighted some frustrations regarding changing rules, direct communication with the management can help clarify expectations and ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Veterans Memorial Campground is exceptionally well-suited for locals across Wisconsin, offering a convenient and enriching outdoor experience that caters to a diverse range of interests. Its prime location on the La Crosse River and direct access to the La Crosse River State Trail make it an ideal hub for both water-based and land-based activities. For families, the clean facilities, playgrounds, and welcoming atmosphere provide a safe and enjoyable environment for children, allowing parents to relax while their kids explore.

The campground's commitment to maintaining a peaceful and well-groomed environment, as consistently noted by visitors, ensures a comfortable and serene escape from daily life. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to fish, an expansive trail for a long bike ride, or simply a tranquil setting to unwind by the campfire, Veterans Memorial Campground delivers. Its accessibility from major routes like I-90 means that a rejuvenating getaway is always within easy reach for many Wisconsin residents.

While changes in rules and their communication have been a point of concern for some long-time visitors, the fundamental quality of the campground—its beautiful natural setting, comprehensive amenities, and reputation for cleanliness—make it a strong contender for anyone seeking a quality camping experience in Wisconsin. It's a place where memories are made by the riverside, where the fresh air invigorates, and where the natural beauty of our state can be truly appreciated.

Veterans Memorial Campground Photos

Veterans Memorial Campground Location

Veterans Memorial Campground

Wisconsin La Crosse County West Salem County Road VP

N4668 County Rd VP, West Salem, WI 54669, USA

Veterans Memorial Campground Reviews

Disappointed After Years of Great ExperiencesI’ve been camping at this campground for many years and have always had a great experience—until this year. Unfortunately, this trip was frustrating and disappointing from the start.After checking into our site and setting up our camper (the same way we always have), we were abruptly told we had to move it because it wasn’t parked “correctly.” This was confusing since we’ve never had this issue before.Our group had reserved three sites, and we brought an extra car, as we’ve done in the past. This time, however, we were told we couldn’t use the visitor parking and had to move the car completely out of the campground. No clear reason was given, and it felt unnecessarily strict.To top it off, we were told the cars on our site were parked incorrectly (again, no issue in previous years), finally, someone yelled at us over a kids' tent that didn’t have a sticker—something we’ve never been told was required before nor were we given one at check in when we said we were setting up a kids tent.I understand rules can change, but the way everything was handled felt excessive and unwelcoming. It was disappointing to feel treated like we were doing everything wrong, despite years of being respectful, rule-abiding campers here.I hope management reconsiders how they communicate with guests and handles site issues more reasonably in the future. Sadly, this may be our last year camping here.
Jun 08, 2025 · Chelsea Moten
This was a quick overnight stay for us while on a road trip. Nice campground, easy to find and navigate. Wished we could have stayed longer being right on the river. Lovely place and clean!
Jun 19, 2025 · Katie M.
Veteran's Memorial CampgroundNot a good experience. The reviews sounded good and location was convenient, but our stay was sub-standard, especially for the cost of nearly $50. The staff was not very attentive nor very helpful. The site was a pull-through and VERY unlevel. When my husband went up to the office to ask about the Wi-Fi password (which was not given on our arrival, and ultimately didn't work anyway) and said something about the very unlevel site, the employees response was "yeah, but you're only staying one night." ??? So we assume this is the way they treat people who are passing through?? Not acceptable in our opinion and we do not recommend this place. We would not stay again
Jun 14, 2025 · Kathy Bowen
This is a campground, not a hotel. Very nice place near water, bike, walk & dog walking trails. Close to racetrack & shopping.
May 26, 2025 · Richelle Kaempf
If it is rainy out, you may sink bigger rigs into the mud. Sites not level, water is very rusty, small sites. Tons of speed bumps getting to the campground.We needed help with the 50amp plug & never got it. Had someone look at it, but never fixed it. Had to run on 30amp & limit use of air conditioner, could only run 1.
Jun 03, 2024 · Michelle Smith