Contacts: Long Lake station, (920) 533-8612; Mauthe Lake station, (262) 626-4305, or dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks.

BLACKHAWK LAKE RECREATION AREA
For a quiet camping experience on a small lake, you might enjoy Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area in Iowa County.

Created in 1972, this 200-acre reservoir is one of the few lakes in southwest Wisconsin's Driftless Area. The lake holds plenty of panfish, along with bass and walleyes. An old roadbed and several building foundations provide good fish-holding structure, or you can fish along deep weed edges and dropoffs. Live bait and plastics should work for all species.

The 2,000-acre state recreation area features over 100 campsites, hiking trails, a picnic area, and evening and weekend programs.

To get there, take Iowa County Highway BH off Highway 80 between Cobb and Highland. Daily or seasonal admission stickers, available at park headquarters, are required to camp or fish.

Contacts: Blackhawk Lake headquarters, (608) 623-2707; Palen's Outpost, (608) 623-2822.

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It's still not too late to plan a vacation for this summer. Do some quick research on the Internet, make some phone calls, and get ready to kick back, relax and chill out!

(Editor's Note: For more great family getaway destinations, contact the Wisconsin Department of Tourism at 1-800-432-TRIP or online at TravelWisconsin.com.)