Equestrian camping near Iola, Wisconsin offers riders access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail which winds through the central Wisconsin landscape. The region features glacial terrain with kettles, moraines and eskers formed during the Wisconsin glaciation period. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with humidity levels that can make trail riding most comfortable in morning or evening hours.
What to Do
Trail Riding at Hartman Creek State Park: Connected to the Ice Age Trail with paved roads for cycling access. "There is ample hiking opportunities in the area, some you can walk to from the campground, some requires a small amount of driving. The lake was a smaller lake, but nice for swimming. They do a great job of keeping the beach and swimming area clean," notes Jimmy P. from Hartman Creek State Park Campground.
ATV Adventures in Tigerton: Ride ATVs on dedicated tracks or wooded trails. "You can bring your ATV to ride on the ATV track there or on the trails in the woods. We seen deer while riding through the trails. If you don't have an ATV you can always just kick back and relax or go to the track and watch a race of they're hosting an event that weekend," according to Matthew J. from Embarrass River Campground and ATV Park.
Swimming and Water Recreation: Multiple lakes offer swimming options throughout the Iola region. "Allen Lake has a fishing pier that the kids loved fishing from. Good catches early in the morning! Hartman Creek is a nice small lake, with no wake. There is now a rental building available with kayaks, paddle boats, SUP, etc to rent," shares Jen E.
What Campers Like
Spacious, Wooded Sites: Most campgrounds in the area feature large sites with good shade coverage. "Our site was larger, almost fully shaded under a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. The only thing I didn't like was the sandy soil, but otherwise our site was awesome," says Jimmy P. about Hartman Creek.
Water Features: The combination of rivers and lakes creates diverse recreation options. "The Eau Claire river with the rocks and mini water falls. Spring time the water is usually high and the breakup of ice happens it's amazing to see. It's crazy loud too! In the summertime you will see people all over the rocks swimming/sun bathing/having picnics," explains Raechel S. from Marathon County Dells of the Eau Claire Park.
Amenities for Horse Owners: Beyond Wild West Campground, other area facilities accommodate equestrians. "This Beach is perfect, horse trails, biking trails. Right along the ice age trail!" comments Leah K. about Hartman Creek State Park, highlighting the park's equestrian-friendly features.
What You Should Know
Seasonal Water Availability: Some parks have uncertain water access early in the season. "Great spot, lots of trails, and the bathrooms were clean. Only gripe is the uncertain schedule they have for turning on water for the season. First week or two of may is a safe bet, but no promises," advises Brandl B. about High Cliff State Park Campground.
Firewood Restrictions: Some parks have limited hours for firewood purchase. "Firewood permits are required and only sold from 8am - 8pm. The permit lasts for one day and can only be purchased from one location," warns Nicole H. about Big Eau Pleine Park.
Bathroom Facilities Vary: Facilities range from modern to rustic across the region's campgrounds. "Clean bathrooms with showers. Most sites don't have hookups. There's an upcharge for out-of-staters," mentions Ellen B. about Hartman Creek State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Multiple Recreation Options: Campgrounds with diverse activities keep all ages engaged. "This gorgeous county park in Marathon County, Wisconsin is 1,450 acres of mixed hardwoods forming a two-mile peninsula jutting out deep into the waters of the Big Eau Pleine Flowage. You can hike, bike, or ride your horse on the 12 miles of scenic, wooded trails," describes Terri from Big Eau Pleine Park Campground.
Child-Friendly Water Activities: Lakes with rentals provide safe water recreation. "Small lake so we were able to explore—saw about 3 dozen turtles which was super fun for the kids," shares Jen E. about Hartman Creek.
Evening Stargazing: Clear skies offer excellent nighttime viewing opportunities. "We loved the quietness at night. Not entirely sure, but I believe there is a quite policy after 10pm. Gorgeous to look up and see the amazing stars at night," notes Jen E.
Tips from RVers
Hookup Availability: Electric sites are common but water and sewer less so. "You now pay to dump your waste. Price is right for a county site," mentions Lori S. about Big Eau Pleine Park.
Site Selection for Horse Owners: When traveling with horses, reserve sites with appropriate space. "We stayed here for 4 days in late October. Site 112 is nice pull through. Lovely state park," reports Nancy S. about High Cliff State Park, which offers connections to horse-friendly trails.
Family-Friendly Campgrounds with Amenities: Some campgrounds cater specifically to families with additional facilities. "Not our typical type of campground but absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected considering what we typically look for. All amenities are very nice," says Glenn T. about Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark.
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