Highland Ridge Campground sits within Eau Galle Reservoir Recreation Area at 930 feet elevation in western Wisconsin. The campground's wooded terrain provides natural cooling during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F. While the main campground area receives moderate usage during peak season, the equestrian camping section near Chippewa Falls experiences lighter traffic even on summer weekends.
What to do
Hiking trails: Multiple miles of wooded trails extend from the campground into surrounding forest areas. "We went on a 5-mile hike through fern and pine forests, prairie and grassland habitats, and an abandoned beaver pond," notes Julie P. from Lake Wissota State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: The nearby reservoir offers calm waters perfect for paddling. "There is a small swimming area. At the campground, there was an interpretive center, but it was locked when we were there," reports Lee D. from Highland Ridge. Boat access points are available a short drive from the main campground area.
Horseback riding: The dedicated equestrian camping area connects directly to horse-friendly trails. "Beautiful Amish country, green, green, green, beside the lake...this place is a little off the beaten path, but a great place to stay while driving through WI," writes Chelsie N. about Highland Ridge.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The campground layout maximizes separation between campers. "All sites are wooded with trees providing separation/privacy between sites. Completing the site are a metal picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook," says Lee D. about Highland Ridge.
Clean facilities: The bathrooms and common areas receive regular maintenance. "The bath houses are very nice and there's a playground for the kids," notes Chelsie N. about the facilities at Highland Ridge.
Woodland setting: The heavily forested campground provides complete shade throughout most sites. "This campground is well maintained and a beautiful park within the woods. Great for hiking and kayaking/canoeing is near by," writes David E. from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.
What you should know
Full shade environment: The dense tree cover limits solar options. "It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric," explains Mary S.
Senior discount available: The campground offers reduced rates for certain pass holders. "Cost is $20/$16 for electric/non-electric. This is an Army Corps of Engineers park which means you pay $10/$8 if you have an NPS Lifetime Senior Pass," Mary S. adds.
Site terrain considerations: Some sites have elevation changes to consider. "Many sites are placed on on incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," notes John W. from Wedges Creek Hideaway.
Cell service reliability: Mobile coverage can vary by location and carrier. "AT&T service is spotty throughout the park with either 1 or 2 bars, although in the spring and fall when there's few leaves on the trees, service is fine," says Deb M.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: A modern play area is available for children. "Great playground and hiking area. Some sites are difficult to back into if you have a large rig," reports Courtney C. about horseback riding and family camping options near Chippewa Falls.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The surrounding forest houses diverse animal species. "Plenty of wildlife and can hear the owls talking to each other," shares David G. from Pietrek County Park.
Tent-specific sites: Dedicated areas for tent campers provide riverside access. "Nice big tent sites down by the river. Walking trails were nice but recommend pants as the grass was long in spots," adds Justin S. from Pietrek County Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Consider the terrain when choosing sites. "Some sites on the short loop (28-38) are a bit smaller and slope down from the road, so be careful of the site's size when booking. Our 29' trailer would have been a challenging fit in some of those sites," advises Deb M.
Hookup options: Most sites offer electrical connections but limited water access. "We accidentally selected a site without electric, but if we had taken more time to use the website and enter search criteria, we could have found one with electric," explains Laurel from Highland Ridge.
Easy access from highways: The location works well for travelers passing through the area. "This site was easily accessed off the highway and incredibly convenient to reserve online! $20 for a non-electric site got you a quiet, private site," notes Molly K.
