Located in west-central Wisconsin, Colfax sits within the Lower Chippewa River watershed amidst rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. The surrounding counties provide limited equine camping accommodations, with most public campgrounds lacking dedicated horse facilities. Campers should plan visits between May and October when temperatures average 60-75°F, ideal for outdoor activities without the harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Trail riding with day permits: Highland Ridge at Eau Galle Reservoir allows horseback riding on designated trails. "This campground is well maintained and a beautiful park within the woods. Great for hiking and kayaking/canoeing is near by," notes David E., though riders should bring their own containment systems.
Visit local Amish farms: The countryside surrounding Highland Ridge features Amish communities. "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," shares Chelsie N.
Kayak Lake Wissota: The 6,300-acre lake offers excellent paddling opportunities. "If you paddle North towards the park shoreline, there are shady places to tie up under white willow trees, or to land and use secluded tie-up points just South of the beach area," recommends Beth D.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Lake Wissota State Park Campground provides wooded privacy between sites. "We selected site 67E online based on the campsite map and photo provided on the reservation site. While all of the sites were very private - lots of trees and underbrush between, this one and 65E were ideally situated," mentions Julie P.
Clean facilities: Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir maintains excellent standards. "This was one of the cleanest campgrounds I have ever stayed at. The sites are large and very well shaded for privacy. Great playground and hiking area," reports Courtney C.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall and spring offer prime wildlife watching opportunities. "Plenty of wildlife and can hear the owls talking to each other," shares David G. about his experience at Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: True horse campgrounds near Colfax, Wisconsin are scarce. The equestrian section at Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir may accommodate non-equestrian campers when available. "You may camp in the equestrian area (E1-E10) without a horse if the main area is full," explains Mary S.
Dense tree coverage: Solar power challenges exist at some locations. "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," warns Mary S. about Highland Ridge.
Cell service variability: Coverage can be inconsistent. "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," mentions Deb M.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Highland Ridge offers family-friendly amenities. "Great playground and hiking area. Some sites are difficult to back into if you have a large rig," notes Courtney C.
Insect preparation: Highland Ridge - Eau Galle can have seasonal bug activity. "There were mosquitos, but with a little repellant it wasn't too bad," shares Laurel, suggesting families bring appropriate protection.
Swimming options: Lake beaches provide summer recreation. "Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites. Lots of walking, biking and horse trails that are full of wild berries," describes Donella L. about Lake Wissota State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully at Highland Ridge for larger rigs. "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.
Dump station access: Highland Ridge provides standard RV services. "There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out," notes Laurel, who found the campground convenient for overnight stays.
Site leveling needs: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "Many sites are placed on an incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," warns John W., suggesting RVers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Legend
