Home Departments Land and Water Conservation Parks and Forests Park & Forest Property Information Blackhawk Park

Blackhawk Park is a small county-owned property located 2 miles north of the village of DeSoto. The park is 2 acres in size, and has 500’ of Mississippi River Frontage. There is a public boat launch with trailer parking, a fully stocked store and bait shop, 11 campsites and 37 boat slips that are rented on a seasonal or short term basis. Please contact Marty Kennedy at 608-637-5485, or email marty.kennedy@vernoncounty.org if you are interested in leasing a boat slip.

The concession stand carries convenience food and beverage items, ice, fishing tackle, live bait, ice cream, and many local products. The boat launch is public, with a daily launch fee of $4.00 ($1.00 for senior citizens & disabled). Annual boat launch passes are also available. Vernon County uses all boat launch funds to maintain and upgrade the boat launch as needed.

The Great River Road
Blackhawk Park on Battle Island in southwest Vernon County lies along the Great River Road. The Great River Road is a 3,000 mile historic, scenic byway running through 10 states along the Mississippi River. The Great River Road offers a gateway to the river valley’s great history and a host of recreational options to all who journey it. Wisconsin is home to 250 miles of the Great River Road, of which 22 miles is along State Hwy. 35 on the western edge of Vernon County. Vernon County’s section of the Great River Road runs from near the City of LaCrosse in the north, and southward to the Village of DeSoto.

The river in each Great River Road state tells a unique story and offers an experience all its own; from charming river towns like De Soto, Genoa and Stoddard in Vernon County to lush forest, from bluffs to the delta, big city to sprawling rural vistas, the rich diversity of this American treasure is yours to explore.

Blackhawk Park Links:

• Boat Launch Information
• Boat Launch Permit Application
• Blackhawk Park Map