Camping near Mosinee, Wisconsin centers around the Wisconsin River watershed and its connected flowages. The area features mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,450 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage toward the river systems. Most campsites in central Wisconsin experience seasonal deer fly activity from late June through August, particularly near wooded water edges.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: At Big Eau Pleine Park Campground, the flowage provides extensive paddling options. "Little BIG county park with tons of great things to do for the adventurer in you!!!" notes camper Carrie W., highlighting the water recreation possibilities.
Disc golf: Several parks feature disc golf courses amid wooded settings. "The park also offers a fun game of disc golf on the scenic wooded course," according to Terri's review. Daily fees typically apply for disc golf access, varying by location.
Horseback riding: Trail systems accommodate equestrians at select locations. One camper mentioned, "The whole campgrounds very very nice. They have a place to ride horses play Frisbee swim fish I love this place and you will."
Ice Age Trail hiking: The Wisconsin River segment of the Ice Age Trail passes through Dells of the Eau Claire Park Campground. "The hiking trails are great and go all the way out to the Ice Age trails. It goes along the river. Very scenic," writes Adrienne L., providing insight into the trail connections.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Dubay Park Campground sits directly on the Wisconsin River with boat launches. "A beautiful, full forest Park with great sites. Lots to do: mountain biking, swimming, hiking. Dog friendly. Nice beach area, Sandy," reports Adrienne L.
Mixed hardwood forests: Tall trees provide natural shade during summer months. A camper at Council Grounds State Park Campground observed, "Trees tower above you as you drive through the park," highlighting the mature forest environment.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas. "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach," notes Tate T., describing recreation options beyond camping.
Handicap accessibility: Some campgrounds offer dedicated accessible sites. One camper shared, "I stay on the handicapped site. It's big it's level near the bathroom which is a big plus LOL. The whole campgrounds very very nice."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Jordan Park, one camper reported, "Small campground clean nice walking trails, dog friendly main park across hwy free and clean showers," while others noted inconsistent maintenance at different parks.
Reservation policies: Many campgrounds enforce minimum stays for online reservations. "There is a 2 day minimum for online reservations. That's not required for walk up self registration so you can do one day as a walk up. Self registration has a 3 day maximum," explains one camper about Marathon Park.
Water quality concerns: Algae blooms affect some areas seasonally. A camper noted, "The water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season."
Firewood regulations: Rules vary by location. One camper explained, "Firewood permits are required and only sold from 8am - 8pm. The permit lasts for one day and can only be purchased from one location."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas for children. A camper at River's Edge Campground shared, "Great weekend! Lots of activities to do and for the kids to do. Themed weekends throughout the season."
Beach safety: Water conditions vary seasonally. "Couldn't swim due to high bacteria in the water," warned one visitor, emphasizing the importance of checking current conditions.
Spacing between sites: Family privacy varies by campground. One camper observed, "Sites have a little bit of trees between for privacy. Lots of families. Lots of stuff to do."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "For those requiring cell service, I had 3 bars LTE with Verizon at my site," noted Nicole H., while another camper reported, "No reception for Verizon users. TMobile had a bar but spotty."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limited big rig access. At Marathon Park Campground, a camper advised, "The campsites themselves are small — if you have a camper there's not much room outside."
Electric hookup reliability: Check connection quality before setup. One camper reported, "The electric did not work on our site they were very helpful and getting us a different one I would go back again."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer full sanitary services. Recent improvements include, "This campground just put in a dump station this year which also includes portable water to fill up your tank."
Seasonal access limitations: Most campgrounds close by October 31st, with limited off-season options. Operating seasons typically run May through October, with specific opening dates varying by location.
