The Gleason area sits within Lincoln County's forested terrain at elevations averaging 1,500 feet above sea level. The region's numerous small lakes and waterways create distinct microclimates with average summer temperatures in the mid-70s during peak camping season. The surrounding Northern Highland forests consist primarily of mixed hardwoods and pine, with camping options typically situated near water features or connecting to the extensive Ice Age Trail system.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course that winds through wooded terrain. As Nathan R. notes, it's a "nice campground with a nice beach area and fantastic disc golf course!"
Kayak and paddleboard rentals: Council Grounds State Park provides affordable watercraft rentals for exploring Alexander Lake. According to Tate T., "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach."
Ice Age Trail hiking: Camp New Wood County Park connects directly to scenic portions of this historic trail. "The park includes the scenic Wisconsin River Segment of the Ice Age Trail," explains Amanda K., describing the peaceful setting of this smaller campground.
Fishing opportunities: Sara Park's riverside location makes it ideal for anglers seeking direct water access. "The sites have immediate access to the river for fishing," reports Sharen, who appreciated how convenient the setup was for water activities.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Horn Lake Camping offers secluded camping directly on the water. As Skip H. explains, "Great spot right on the water. There are 2 camp spots with stone rings. They're about 40' apart on a cul-de-sac at the end of the road where the boat launch is."
Free primitive camping: Budget-conscious campers appreciate Horn Lake's cost-free sites with basic amenities. "As a primitive camper who hates paying to sleep on the ground somewhere, this is my new favorite spot. Two sites, fire rings, no bathroom, water, electric," notes Jarrett G.
Family-friendly beach areas: Several campers highlight Council Grounds' swimming options. Tina D. shared, "It has a nice beach, and boat launch area. Campers and Tents can camp there. There are all the hookups you need."
Wooded privacy between sites: Many campers value the natural separation at Council Grounds. "The campsites were wooded and well spaced out," explains one reviewer who appreciated the privacy despite being in an established campground.
What you should know
Limited facilities at smaller campgrounds: Camp New Wood County Park offers a more basic experience. Kendra N. points out, "The pit toilets are not in the best shape and have no lighting so bring a flashlight. There are no showers but that didn't bother us for the 2 nights we were there."
First-come, first-served availability: Some local campgrounds don't accept reservations. "Others we spoke to that stayed there before said it's hardly ever full and you can easily get a spot. For $15 a night, it was a decent stay," mentions Kendra N. about Camp New Wood.
Seasonal closures affect access: Many campgrounds in the region operate from May through October. Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park's season runs "May 1 to December 1," with potential for early winter weather affecting late-season camping.
Wildlife considerations: Bears are present in the region. One camper at Dells of the Eau Claire mentioned, "Ran into a bear around Xmas time, during a warm winter!" when hiking the connected trails.
Tips for camping with families
Group site options: For larger family gatherings, Council Grounds provides designated group areas. Amanda G. reports, "For this particular trip, we reserved group sites A and B. They each have concrete pads for 3 campers and TONS of space to spread out and/or set up tents."
Kid-friendly water activities: Several campgrounds feature shallow swimming areas. As Tina D. explains about Council Grounds, "We would bike there, and around the whole thing, and back home. It has a nice beach, and boat launch area."
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. At Dells of the Eau Claire, Jeremy W. notes, "There is a beach area perfect for kids. Along both sides of the river are some of the best walking trails in the area. There is also a playground for kids."
Bug protection essential: Biting insects can be problematic, particularly in early summer. Amanda G. warns, "Watch out for the biting deer flies as the sun goes down! Three kids got attacked in one of the trails and had huge welts and lots of tears."
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: While many sites lack sewer hookups, some provide dump facilities. At Sara Park, Sharen found that "There is a dump station nearby behind the city garage for $10."
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. One RVer at Great Northern Campground commented, "The site we had was extremely unlevel and had a low spot that filled up with water/mud in the rain."
Electric hookup limitations: Several campgrounds offer electric but with restricted amp service. Council Grounds provides thirty-amp hookups but no fifty-amp service, important for larger RVs with high power requirements.
Road conditions to remote sites: Access to more primitive camping spots may require careful navigation. Skip H. advises about Horn Lake, "If you travel to the left where the road 'T's' off, take care. The road is tight and very twisty. I would not recommend going to the left unless the max you're hauling is a teardrop. Anyone up to 20' would be OK going to the right."
