Big Eau Pleine Park sits on a wooded peninsula near Mosinee, Wisconsin at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level. The area experiences seasonal temperature swings with summer highs reaching 80°F and winter lows often dropping below 0°F. Several campgrounds in the region offer lake or river access with varying amenities and terrain types.
What to do
Water activities: At River's Edge Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating along the Wisconsin River. "Great bar and grill on property. Lots of activities to do and for the kids to do," notes Jason W.
Hiking opportunities: The Dells of the Eau Claire Park Campground connects to the Ice Age Trail with scenic river paths. "The hiking trails are great and go all the way out to the Ice Age trails. It goes along the river. Very scenic," explains Adrienne L. The trails include rock formations and river views.
Disc golf: Marathon County parks offer outdoor recreation beyond water and hiking. One visitor at Council Grounds State Park mentioned, "There were beautiful views along the Wisconsin River, would probably be a nice stretch for canoeing or kayaking."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate campgrounds with ample room between sites. At Lake Emily Park, one visitor noted, "The campground doesn't have a lot of extra amenities, but still a nice simple campground to be in. There are a mix of sites that have a little more privacy, and others that are wide open which would be better for group setups."
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas for summer recreation. "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach," reports Tate T. about their stay at Council Grounds State Park Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: For those seeking peace, smaller campgrounds offer more tranquil settings. "Small but just far enough from town to make it feel like you left," writes Amber Z. about Jordan Park, though she notes "you could hear semis on the road very clearly during the evening."
What you should know
Seasonal water quality: Green algae affects swimming areas during summer months. At Lake Emily Park, a camper observed, "The lake water has being rising and the beach is almost swallowed up which is lame because it used to be sooo nice!"
Campground rules: Some campgrounds strictly enforce policies. One camper noted about Big Eau Pleine Park, "The rangers and camp hosts will give you tickets for EVERYTHING. There's no guest parking anywhere near the campsites and they'll write you a ticket if you park by the bathrooms."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Marathon Park Campground stated, "There is a bathroom/shower for the campers. As a walk up registrant you will have to contact the phone number on the board to get the code."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible features: Some campgrounds offer handicap-accessible sites. At Big Eau Pleine Park, Debra reports, "I camped on the handicap site as I am disabled. The site is near the bathroom which is good it's a nice big site. It was big enough for an camper and a tent."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Dubay Park Campground, Amber C. found "Really quiet and the lake views are serene. Nice little playground too."
Group camping options: For family reunions, look for group sites. "This was our first camping trip as a group with 12 people and 4 cars," shares Tate T. about Council Grounds State Park, adding, "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Jordan Park, a visitor explains, "The campsites themselves are small — if you have a camper there's not much room outside."
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are common but full services vary. At Big Eau Pleine Park, Walter W. notes, "Camping sites are very nice and level w majority elec. Wood available for fires an reasonable."
Dump station access: Most county parks have limited services. "You now pay to dump your waste," warns Lori S. about Big Eau Pleine Park, though she acknowledges, "Price is right for a county site."
Legend
