Camping near Marshfield, Wisconsin offers rural countryside getaways with several lakes within a 30-mile radius. The region features a mix of county parks and private campgrounds with most sites situated around Lake Arbutus, Petenwell Lake, and the Wisconsin River. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping months, with cooler spring and fall seasons requiring proper gear for comfort.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Petenwell Park, many campers enjoy lake fishing during summer months. "Nice fishing beautiful sunset," notes camper Candy R., while another visitor mentions good walleye catches at Wilderness Park: "We stayed in sight number nine which is right on Lake. Good fishing in lake for walleye."
Water recreation: The shallow waters at East Arbutus Camp provide family-friendly swimming. "A warm shallow lake for swimming and boating, dog friendly, safe for kids," says Kim L. Water activities range from kayaking to paddleboarding, with rental options available at some locations.
ATV trail access: Several campgrounds connect directly to regional ATV trail systems. "We stayed with a group for Memorial weekend. We have such a great time... Our site was a little hard to get into. We stayed at site 116 with a 40 ft 5th wheel," mentions Juliana R. about Russell Memorial Park, noting the convenient ATV access available there.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers appreciate the site layouts at Wilderness Park. "This is a very nice campground for those that don't require resort like amenities. Some sites will come with electric though most are rustic. Some sites with electric can be found with lake access. Plenty of space between sites," says Dawn A.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. At Council Grounds State Park Campground, "The shower house was clean, the campsites were wooded and well spaced out, and there were a couple of trails that went from the campground to the beach, boat ramps, or in the opposite direction, just nice walking/hiking trails," according to Annie C.
Rustic to modern options: The area offers everything from primitive sites to glamping close to Marshfield, Wisconsin. Eau Claire Dells provides basic amenities with a focus on natural settings. "First time camping here, sites are very well taken care of, they have little wagons to buy firewood, and the camp administrator was super nice and helpful," writes Allison.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate from May through October with limited off-season availability. For luxury camping near Marshfield, Wisconsin, call ahead about seasonal closures. "Went to petenwell park in just 2024. Very nice place and will be back again. Staff that we did talk to were friendly and helpful," writes Wayne O.
Amenities vary widely: Some parks have limited services. "Great area, nice boat lunch, but bring what you need as the closest gas station is 15 miles away," warns Jay about Petenwell Park. Most rustic sites lack hookups while glamping cabins typically include electricity and basic furnishings.
Reservation requirements: Popular Jackson County East Arbutus Campground sites fill quickly during summer weekends. "What a great campground for a county park. You name it they have it. Like fishing or boating they have it. Like utv they have it. They have good bathrooms lot of them or not just pit," reports Michael L., highlighting the popularity that drives demand.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Lakefront camping provides built-in entertainment for children. "We reserved spot 16 knowing it had lake access (not all spots do)... the park is fairly crowded with lots of seasonal campers... but it's clean, the main bath house is nice and the playground is large. Kids are having a great adventure!" shares Laura B. about her Petenwell Park experience.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "This was our first camping trip as a group with 12 people and 4 cars in July 2023... We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach," notes Tate T. about West Arbutus County Park, where families gather for group activities.
Bug preparation: Wisconsin's summer brings mosquitoes and flies. "Beautiful landscape. Trees tower above you as you drive through the park... Beautiful hiking trails, but watch out for the biting deer flies as the sun goes down! Three kids got attacked in one of the trails and had huge welts and lots of tears," warns Amanda G. Always pack insect repellent for camping trips in this region.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "We have a 28 5th wheel and we're snug. Site said 25 ft but the picture had a 5'er on it so we booked it," reports Robert W. about Russell Memorial Park, noting that waterfront sites often have tighter size restrictions.
Dump station logistics: Limited sewer hookups mean planning for dump station use. "Lots of electric sites, but no sites with water or sewer so Sunday checkout there's a line of campers waiting to dump," notes Kim L. about East Arbutus Camp. Some glamping locations near Marshfield provide full hookups, but these sites are less common.
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain that can complicate setup. "Went to this campground and it was a pretty nice place. We parked our 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also," reports Wayne O., recommending advance research for optimal positioning at Petenwell Park.
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