The Eau Claire area sits at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers, creating a landscape of rolling hills, diverse forests, and abundant waterways. Winters can drop below 0°F while summer temperatures hover in the 70-80°F range. The region contains several glamping options including climate-controlled yurts that bridge the gap between tent camping and cabin accommodations.
What to do
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: Lake Wissota State Park offers trails through multiple habitat types. "We went on a 5-mile hike through fern and pine forests, prairie and grassland habitats, and an abandoned beaver pond," notes Julie P., highlighting the ecological diversity available to hikers.
River activities: The Chippewa River provides opportunities for tubing and kayaking. Anna from Eagle Ridge Campground shares, "It is a great place to stay if you want to float down the Chippewa River, Loopy's the bar in town will shuttle you to and from the campsite and drop you off with their tubes at the river!"
Wildlife viewing: Kruger Campground features riverfront access perfect for nature observation. Nick G. explains: "Sites are very private. Has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing."
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds in the region operate year-round, including Lake Wissota State Park Campground, which maintains its camping season through winter months. The park maintains plowed access roads during snowy conditions.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel of sites in the area. At Kruger Campground, Neen K. notes, "This is a well maintained campground with private feeling sites. Some with firewood provided. Fire rings have attached grills."
Waterfront access: Russell Memorial Park offers shoreline camping opportunities. Robert W. explains: "The camp has a lot of long term sites on the waterfront so getting on one usually gets you into spring and camping. The waterfront has mostly electric only sites."
Clean facilities: Attention to bathroom cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews. At Eagle Ridge Campground, Beth B. notes that "Bathhouse clean...decent rec area for kids including sand volleyball court," highlighting the well-maintained amenities.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. Rachel A. describes Kruger Campground as "beautiful, secluded, affordable... and only $17," making it accessible for campers on a budget.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies significantly between properties. Myron County Park operates from "May 15 to Oct 15" while other sites like Chippewa County Pine Point Campground has a longer season from "1st week of May to last week October."
Site dimensions matter: Many campgrounds have tight spaces for larger rigs. David G. advises about Pine Point: "Others are quite small and tight for big rigs. Their measurements on their website are accurate. We arrived and didn't think we would fit but did."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Wedges Creek Hideaway offers this unique accommodation. Amy G. describes it as "a diamond in the rough... rustic glamping - exactly what we were looking for."
Varying levels of privacy: Site spacing differs widely between campgrounds. Justin S. notes at Pietrek County Park: "Nice big tent sites down by the river. Walking trails were nice but recommend pants as the grass was long in spots."
Tips for camping with families
Free recreational activities: Lake Wissota offers complimentary equipment for family activities. Donella L. mentions, "Also boat rentals and free yard games that can be checked out at the visitor center."
Kid-friendly water access: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas appropriate for children. Hannah E. notes about Lake Wissota: "Beach is nice, even better that they have a separate beach area for your leashed dog!"
Multi-day hiking options: For families who enjoy exploring, Russell Memorial Park connects to trail systems. Juliana R. explains: "We stayed with a group for Memorial weekend. We have such a great time... great ATV access."
Special event spaces: Russell Memorial Park features areas designed for group gatherings. Stacey N. describes it as a "lovely county park with lots of campsites. Office staff is super friendly. Our site is right on the water... so calm and peaceful. Family friendly."
Tips from RVers
Starlink connectivity: Some campgrounds offer excellent satellite internet reception. Whistle P. from Eagle Ridge notes: "If you've been anywhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you know about all the trees! This campground has a large grassy area - that gives a 100% obstruction for Starlink."
RV site selection: At many campgrounds, specific sites work better for larger rigs. Megan R. advises about Russell Memorial Park: "Some sites are tight, so make sure that you drive around the campground before picking a site."
Bathroom proximity considerations: When selecting an RV site without full hookups, bathroom location becomes important. Beth D. from Lake Wissota shares, "We discovered the single family bathroom on the South side of that building early on, and that helped us feel more comfortable using facilities."
