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Best Equestrian Camping near Eau Claire, WI

59 Reviews

Limited equestrian camping options exist near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Horse-friendly campgrounds in the area focus primarily on RV and tent facilities rather than specialized equestrian accommodations. According to campground data, none of the eight reviewed campgrounds near Eau Claire feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine facilities. Horseback riders seeking overnight options must plan accordingly, as standard campgrounds may allow horses with proper containment but lack dedicated stalls or paddocks. The campgrounds maintain standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets for general camping use.

Trails in the surrounding state forests and recreation areas accommodate day-use horseback riding with parking for horse trailers at designated trailheads. Riders must bring their own portable corrals or highline systems when staying overnight. Wisconsin DNR regulations apply to all equestrian activities in state forests and parks, including waste management requirements. Seasonal trail conditions vary significantly with spring thaw creating muddy sections through May. Many area campgrounds operate from April through November with limited or no winter access. Zumbro Bottoms in nearby Minnesota provides additional horseback riding opportunities with primitive camping access.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Eau Claire, Wisconsin (8)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Eau Claire, WI

59 Reviews of 8 Eau Claire Campgrounds

  • Jerold H.
    Jul. 21, 2021

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Close to activities, a place to stay

    The park itself is small and non-descript, not photogenic. The trail along the lake is nice for walking - it is a ridge above the lake with some nice views. Otherwise, the campsites were OK. Ours was secondary growth scrub with moderate shade. Others had nicer trees. Not a ton of birdlife. A lot of people staying there appeared to be there for golfing at nearby courses. Proximity to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls is convenient. We enjoyed using the Old Abe bike trail. An entry point is near the park and there is a parking lot with clean restroom there. The trail goes for miles in either direction and is paved and well maintained.

  • Mike R.
    Jun. 29, 2023

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Solid Campground with Pizza and Beer close by

    So I love goin to this campground. It has nice lakeside sites on a bluff above the water and they are fairly well laid out. There is a trial along the bluff connecting the two main loops of the campground. Showers and restrooms work, but are showing their age. They are scheduled to be rebuilt in the next couple of years...hopefully. One of the best parts of this is its proximity to breweries. Not talking Lienies, that's generally ok beer, but the Brewing Projekt, that's amazing beer. It's in downtown Eau Claire, but worth the drive. Also, if you want pizza, which is something we like to do on the day we arrive Chippewa Falls has pretty much anything you need within 20 of the campground. Nice hiking and biking trails as well. I've camped here in Spring, Summer and Fall and multiple sites.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 2, 2018

    Highland Ridge

    Nice campground but be prepared for shade...all the time

    First thing you need to know: It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area. Other than that, the rest of the campground is rather dark all the time; there aren't as many sunlight openings on the road to the other sites. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric.

    Nice price: 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.

    Services: There are full services at this campground - flush toilets, sinks, showers, trash receptacles, and drinking water/dump station near the entrance. There is an interpretive center for Saturday evening ranger programs and a playground next to it.

    Roomy sites: This campground is small, but almost all sites are large. There are 38 sites plus walk in tent sites A through G and a group site. It looks like sites 28-38 can be rented for a group; the entrance was blocked off when we were there.

    Equestrian section may be open to campers without a horse: There is an equestrian campground about a half mile before the main campground entrance. You may camp in the equestrian area (E1-E10) without a horse if the main area is full. We were able to reserve a site in there a couple days ahead of time because the main campground was full. It was just us and one other family on a Saturday night, and neither of us had a horse. We moved to the main area on Sunday morning because lots of sites were open on Sunday.

  • loren S.
    Jun. 12, 2023

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Excellent placeYou

    New facilities and hot showers. Great hiking trails, mountain biking. Equestrian trails also. Lake is huge, walleye are prevalent. Kayaking is great with other boat ramps available. Sites heavily wooded, low noise and light pollution. Easy access to all activities.

  • D
    Jul. 11, 2021

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Beautiful family campground

    Beautiful shaded campground with semi private sites. Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites. Lots of walking, biking and horse trails that are full of wild berries. Several stairways down to the lake, no beach at these spots but good for taking the dog in the water since they aren’t allowed on the beach. Wonderful staff in the visitor center. Firewood and ice sold on site. Also boat rentals and free yard games that can be checked out at the visitor center. Clean bathrooms with showers. Lots of boat noise from the lake and a plane noise from a nearby airport. Close to Chippewa Falls for restaurants and stores. A great family destination, not so great for a peaceful couples weekend.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2019

    Pietrek County Park

    Nice little county park

    This was an interesting little campground sandwiched between the road and the Trempealeau River. The backstory on the park is that the gentleman who originally owned the land had asked that when he died that it be preserved as a wildlife area. His death came much sooner than anyone thought, and the family worked with the county to donate the land to the county as a park. There are about six tent only sites set back near the river, with three of them in close proximity to each other (I think it is used as a group camping area). When I was there the sites were poorly maintained and only had two fire pits and tables for all six sites combined. There are 25ish RV type sites with either just electric or electric and water. Some of these sites are set up back to back in an open field, which is not very appealing. The grass had been let to grow very long before the recent cutting, so it was like walking through freshly mown hay. There is a horse arena (very muddy when I was there), and it looks like you can camp with your horses on the edge of the RV area. The showers were really nice and fairly new.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Highland Ridge

    Clean and relatively quiet

    Lots of RV campers, but none were obnoxious. T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance.

  • Debra M.
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Smaller scale park but lots to do

     This park is on a smaller scale and less crowded than Devil’s Lake. There is a small beach that is in the process of renovation. The sites are large surrounded by trees and very private. The sites on the lake side are not electric and some of them are huge buddy sites, great for extended families. There are two shower houses in the campground located next to sites 29 or 72. If you are on the legs furthest from the lake it is a long walk to them, but all those sites have electric. There are two vault toilet locations and a total of 116 campsites all with a picnic table and fire ring. There is a very large playing field and a playground in the Family Campground and another playground past the beach near the fishing dock. This State Park has a large number of picnic shelters and picnic grounds with picnic tables. There are about 10 hiking trails. There is a boat launch and you can rent kayaks or canoes at the visitor center. Everything was kept clean and in good repair. Cell service for both AT&T and Verizon was strong enough to stream video. If you want to take a trip to town, there are about 5 no longer than a 10 mile distance. There was a large grocery store in Chippewa Falls. Only ice and firewood are available at the park.

  • Troy A.
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Lake Wissota State Park Campground

    Fantastic view of the lake

    Continuing my quest to visit as many Wisconsin state parks as possible. I stopped by here to check out the campsites for potential future camping and look over the park. When I found was a very well-maintained park, love the viewing area of the lake. Campsites looked good as well.

Guide to Eau Claire

Horse camping in Wisconsin offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds that cater to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Tips for equestrian camping near Eau Claire, Wisconsin

  • At Highland Ridge, you’ll find ample space for both your horse and your camping gear, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy the outdoors with their horses.
  • Pietrek County Park features horse-friendly accommodations, allowing you to camp with your horse right by the river.
  • The Lake Wissota State Park Campground provides access to trails suitable for horseback riding, ensuring a fun-filled experience for both you and your horse.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Many campers enjoy the well-maintained sites at Pietrek County Park, which include access to walking trails and a peaceful environment for horse camping.
  • Highland Ridge offers a horse arena, making it easy to exercise your horse while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
  • The spacious sites at Lake Wissota State Park Campground allow for comfortable camping with horses, providing a relaxing atmosphere for both riders and their animals.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and arenas

  • Highland Ridge is known for its extensive trail system, perfect for horseback riding enthusiasts looking to explore the area.
  • At Pietrek County Park, the proximity to the Trempealeau River adds a scenic backdrop for your rides, enhancing the overall camping experience.
  • The wooded and secluded sites at Lake Wissota State Park Campground provide a tranquil setting for horse camping, allowing you to connect with nature while enjoying quality time with your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Eau Claire, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Eau Claire, WI is Lake Wissota State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 35 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Eau Claire, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Eau Claire, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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