9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Eau Claire, Wisconsin offer a mix of lakeside and forested settings with varying levels of amenities. Coon Fork Campground, located in Augusta, stands out as a popular option with spacious tent sites surrounded by trees and positioned along a lake where motorized boats are prohibited. Several other tent-friendly options exist within driving distance, including Black River State Forest's canoe-access primitive sites.
Tent camping facilities in this region typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilet facilities, though amenities vary widely between locations. At Coon Fork, tent campers can access flush toilets and hot showers, while more remote locations like the canoe-in sites at Black River State Forest offer only basic vault toilets. One visitor noted, "Canoe in, very primitive and isolated. Only two sites, one is much nicer than the other. No water, no facilities. Just two fire rings and two picnic tables about 100 ft apart." Most campgrounds provide drinking water access, but primitive sites require campers to bring their own supply.
The tent camping experience around Eau Claire features notable privacy between sites at most established campgrounds. Coon Fork Campground provides generous spacing between sites with lakeside options available for an additional fee. As one camper commented, "The campsites are private with waterfront and electric sites. Some sites reservable." Many tent areas are situated under pine and deciduous tree cover, providing natural shade during summer months. Walk-in tent sites at some locations offer increased seclusion from vehicle traffic and noise. Summer weekends see higher occupancy rates, while spring and fall camping provides more solitude. Most tent campgrounds in the region maintain quiet hours that are actively enforced, creating a peaceful environment for those seeking a tranquil outdoor experience.
"The campground is lovely considering it's only $20 for lakeside ($17 non lakeside). It has a shower house, bathroom, dump station, wood for sale ($6/bundle), ice for sale and is non electric."
"Coon Forks is a county campground with a nice lake with two beaches and a boat landing, but only non-motorized crafts allowed. Campsites are private with waterfront and electric sites."
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $135 / night
Check Availability"The campground was very full that weekend but the group sites are spacious and well spaced out, (if you can I would recommend G4 or G5 right on the lake for group sites) you definitely don't feel like"
"It is only 1 1/2 hours away from the TwinCities which makes it an ideal getaway. The campsites are wooded and have enough distance between them that noise is minimal."
from $22 - $132 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $19 / night
Check Availability"They are technically “hike-in” or “cart-in” but have a very short hike to get to. They are large and have a fire ring and picnic table at each of the on the water sites. Very nice in my opinion!"
"We have always reserved an Island site, since they offer the best privacy from neighbors in southern camp along the Mississippi backwaters on Fountain City Bay. "
from $19 - $110 / night
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RangerFantastic little park in the forest, and can't be beat for $7 per night! Camped here in October last in 43-ft motorhome and found a spot which had good sun for our solar. UTV trail entrances at campground, as well as hiking up and around the beautiful rock formations. No elec or water =no problem if you're used to dispersed camping anyway!
ScoutWe selected "best available" site and showed up two hours later to a disgusting mess. There was a pile of garbage in our site. There was a busy railroad track right next the the site not shown in the campground map. They offered other sites but they were not any better.
ScoutElectric back in site. No water. Well shaded adequate space
GuideSpent 3 months July-Oct has just what you need 3 free hot showers stalls, flushing toilet, convenient dump station, potable water, all situated on what seems like an island, with the water on 3 sides of the campground $500 a month for long term
ScoutGreat campground with waterfront and well treed sites. We’re hammockers and found plenty of suitable trees. Firewood was available via vending machine. $6.50 bought a wheelbarrow load of wood. Caretaker was friendly. Only downside was you could hear noise from distant highway and from neighboring private properties but it quieted down during quiet hours. We hiked a section of the Ice Age Trail during our visit. We recommend the campground and the trail.
TravelerI really like this campground, I feel safe as a single person camping with my pups here. The owners are super friendly and the price is very reasonable. There are mostly seasonal here which helps cut back the noise and the crowds.
GuideThe East Fork part of the campground is a beautiful area along the river. The sites are nicely spaced and there are pit toilets located throughout. The animals came alive at night and we could hear coyote packs howling to each other, owls hunting, and the crickets and frogs are still going. September makes for hot days and pretty cold nights, but there was good tree cover, that still allowed to see the ALL the stars. There was plenty of room for the 2 allowed cars. Site 124 is located at the end of a loop with dumpsters nearby, that were empty and clean. A very nice place to spend a couple nights!
LegendClean bathrooms, nice showers but they're a dollar for 6 minutes.
TravelerFHU campground right on the edge of town. Nice level sites. Sprinklers come on every morning and soak the center area. If you come here don’t take a site in the center or you will get sprayed. Grass and weeds are over grown and mosquitos are bad.
Tent camping near Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers campers access to the Chippewa Valley's mixed hardwood forests and numerous waterways. The region sits approximately 800 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Most tent sites in the area are situated on relatively flat terrain with pine and oak tree cover, providing natural windbreaks during spring and fall camping seasons.
Water activities on non-motorized lakes: At Coon Fork Campground in Augusta, campers enjoy a peaceful lake experience as "no outboard motors allowed on this lake. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the office," according to reviewer Brook. The lake features two beaches and a boat landing specifically designed for non-motorized watercraft.
Hiking accessible trails: Explore the network of nature trails surrounding the campgrounds. One reviewer at Hok-Si-La City Park noted, "The campground is very green and luscious, full of beautiful trees, plants and wildlife, we heard bullfrogs, owls, woodpeckers and more." Most trails in the region are rated easy to moderate with minimal elevation changes.
Wildlife observation: The Black River State Forest area provides opportunities for viewing native Wisconsin wildlife. Eagle watching is particularly rewarding at certain campsites, with one camper sharing, "On our last stay, we were able to watch eagles from our campsite, which was amazing." Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing conditions.
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the spacing at Rock Lake Lodge and Campground in Bloomer, which has only 7 designated tent sites spread across its property. At Coon Fork, campers note "The sites are very generous with a lot of green between spaces. You are not on top of your neighbor" and "great private campsites" that allow for a more secluded experience.
Clean facilities: Tent campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a highlight. One Coon Fork camper reported, "The bathrooms were always nice and clean with hot showers." Another mentioned that the campground maintains "flush toilets and hot showers" that are regularly serviced, an important consideration for tent campers without access to onboard facilities.
Enforced quiet hours: For those seeking peaceful camping, many campgrounds actively enforce quiet times. A parent noted at Coon Fork, "Quiet hours enforced, DNR on duty and sheriff tends to drive through," while another mentioned, "Quiet hours are reinforced early at night but it's an excellent campground for small children."
Tent-specific camping areas: Some locations like Island Campground at Merrick State Park offer walk-in tent sites away from RV areas. These designated tent zones typically provide more seclusion and natural settings but require carrying gear from parking areas to your campsite.
Wildlife precautions: Raccoons are common visitors to campgrounds in the region. At Coon Fork, "they will give you trash bags at check in to keep them at bay. That's a great way to help control the problem." Food storage containers are not typically provided, so bringing your own secure storage is recommended.
Reservation requirements: During peak summer weekends (Memorial Day through Labor Day), advance reservations are strongly recommended. Many campgrounds maintain a portion of sites for walk-ups, but these fill quickly by Friday afternoon. At Coon Fork, "A total of 108 spaces with about 30 that are first come" are available.
Child-friendly swimming areas: Families with children should consider the swimming options at each location. One parent noted Coon Fork is "great for kids! Way more fun later in the summer so you can go swimming. Although, children don't seem to notice cold water anyway!" Most swimming areas are unguarded, so parental supervision is required.
Activity options for various ages: Look for campgrounds with recreational amenities. A repeat visitor to Coon Fork mentioned, "I have stayed here multiple times. Always a blast. The kids love swimming, kayaking, fishing, and bike trails." These activities keep children engaged without requiring additional equipment or travel from the campsite.
Playground access: Stargazen Retreat Center provides camping areas with access to open play spaces for children. Some campgrounds like Coon Fork include playground equipment, as one camper noted, "Playground, shower/bathrooms are decent." These amenities provide entertainment options during downtime at camp.
No-vehicle tent sites: RVers looking for tent camping should note that some locations like Hok-Si-La prohibit vehicles at campsites. A camper explained, "This campsite also doesn't allow cars or generators on any of the camping spots, so be sure to keep that in mind!" These tent-only areas require unloading gear and returning vehicles to designated parking areas.
Electric options for hybrid camping: For those wanting electric access with tents, some campgrounds offer powered sites. At Coon Fork, "campsites are private with waterfront and electric sites," allowing tent campers to use electrical equipment while maintaining a traditional tent experience. These sites typically cost $3-5 more per night than non-electric options.
Self-contained areas: RV campers looking for more separation can find dedicated loops at some campgrounds. Coon Fork features "a totally separate loop (Loop D) for units that are self contained," providing more space and appropriate hookups while maintaining access to the same natural features as tent-only areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eau Claire, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eau Claire, WI is Coon Fork Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Eau Claire, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Eau Claire, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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