River Park accommodates equestrians with designated sites featuring horse fences on higher ground, while other campsites sit along the riverbank. The campground maintains four spacious sites separated by significant distance for privacy. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and trash receptacle. The access road can become difficult for larger vehicles during wet weather, with some sites offering direct paths to the water.
What to do
Explore riverside trails: Visitors at River Park can enjoy hiking on several small trails that branch out from the campground. "We went for walks on the handful of small trails, enjoyed a picnic and roasted food over our little fire," notes David K., highlighting the simple pleasures available directly from camp.
Water activities: The river setting provides opportunities for paddling and fishing. "We were able to kayak and fish along the river within view of our campsite," shares David K., who appreciated keeping an eye on camp while enjoying water recreation. Gwynn S. mentions, "Campsite 2 is amazing and has a path down to the river, which is so beautiful."
ATV riding: Embarrass River Campground and ATV Park offers dedicated trails for off-road enthusiasts approximately 50 miles from Lakewood. "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," reports Matthew J., describing the trail experience.
What campers like
Natural water features: Chute Pond Park attracts visitors with unique water recreation options. "Slippery Rock is a waterfall from the river that you can actually slide down. They also have a rock you can jump off as well into water," explains Emily K., describing popular water features not far from Lakewood.
Site separation: The distance between sites at equestrian campgrounds near Lakewood provides a sense of seclusion. "Each campsite seems to be separated pretty far apart. I couldn't see anyone else from my site (#2)," reports Cole M. about River Park, emphasizing the privacy despite being at an established campground.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at several area campgrounds. "Vault toilets were clean, centrally located and close to the hand pump well," notes Eric S. about River Park, while Jeremy B. observed at Chute Pond Park that "the shower house was very clean with ample parking."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Access roads at equestrian campgrounds near Lakewood can deteriorate during wet conditions. "The road in was a little muddy but not bad enough to get stuck," reports Eric S. about River Park. Site conditions vary seasonally, with spring runoff affecting river levels and trail conditions.
Site selection strategy: At Marathon County Dells of the Eau Claire Park, campsite location matters. "The campground is pretty basic nothing fancy. You get privacy from campsite to campsite which is nice," explains Raechel S., noting that weekend crowds concentrate around water features during summer months.
Limited cell service: Connectivity becomes unreliable at more remote sites. "Cell service with Att is horrible too but we are camping," notes Cole M. about River Park, reminding visitors to prepare for limited communication options during their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Glass hazards: Parents should inspect sites upon arrival. "There was a good amount of broken glass and some trash at site 2, so be careful if you have little ones or dogs," warns Gwynn S. about River Park, highlighting safety concerns requiring attention.
Kid-friendly water activities: Green's Green Acres Campground offers music-oriented camping with adequate facilities for events. "Visiting during a time where music isn't playing can be plenty serene and relaxing," suggests David K., noting the contrast between festival periods and quieter times.
Ranger presence: Supervision varies between locations. "We did see a park ranger during the morning but not sure how much they come around," reports Gwynn S. about River Park, indicating intermittent official presence rather than constant oversight.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Larger rigs face access challenges at equestrian sites near Lakewood. "I would not recommend this campground for anyone with a larger camper. I have a 38' long, 12'+ tall bumper pull and was scraping the roof on trees and struggled to get backed into the site," cautions Cole M. about River Park, providing specific measurements for context.
Site selection for trailers: When traveling with horses, select level sites with adequate turning radius. "Campsite 2 is amazing and has a path down to the river, which is so beautiful. Was very spacious and could fit a camper with a tent easily. Definitely be mindful with a camper just because of how bumpy the roads are," advises Gwynn S. about River Park, noting both opportunities and challenges.
Electric availability: For longer stays with horses, consider campgrounds offering hookups. "They recently updated the sites to have electric. They do have RV sites with full hookups," reports Matthew J. about Embarrass River Campground, describing infrastructure improvements beneficial for equestrian campers requiring power.
