Central Wisconsin around Spencer features a mix of wooded campgrounds and lakeside retreats situated on the rolling glacial terrain of the Northern Highland region. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 1,200-1,400 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Marathon County parks operate from May through October with frost typically limiting the camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails: Big Eau Pleine Park offers 12 miles of scenic trails through mixed hardwoods on a two-mile peninsula. "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," notes a visitor to Big Eau Pleine Park Campground.
Disc golf: Play a round on the wooded course at Big Eau Pleine Park. A camper warns there's "a daily fee for disk golf course," so bring cash for this activity.
ATV access: Rock Dam Park connects directly to regional ATV trail systems. "The trails around it are well maintained and beautiful," according to a visitor at Rock Dam Park, making it popular with off-road enthusiasts.
Swimming options: Chapman Park features swimming areas with limited algae issues compared to other lakes. "The waterfront is beautiful with a nice picturesque bridge to a little island," explains a reviewer at Chapman Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Stoney Creek RV Resort offers oversized camping areas. "The sites are huge almost state park like with ample room for your kids to play," shares one camper at Stoney Creek RV Resort, noting the generous spacing between sites.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. At Chapman Park, a visitor noted: "Bathrooms and showers older but very clean," making it comfortable for overnight stays.
Family activities: Structured recreation options keep children entertained. "They have a nice pool and mini golf. A bouncy pillow and a bubble maker for kids. Adults love the build your own Bloody Mary and mimosas," reports a visitor at Stoney Creek RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: Deer parks and nature opportunities abound. "The deer park was great to see again as I hadn't come across one in a few years," mentions a Chapman Park visitor.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Algae blooms affect some lakes in late summer. A camper at Big Eau Pleine noted the "water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season," impacting swimming and fishing.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly on weekends, especially those with electric hookups. Weekdays offer better availability with Sunday arrivals recommended. "We pulled in on a Sunday night and all but had the place to ourselves," noted a Chapman Park visitor.
Cell service patterns: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. At Chippewa NF Campground, visitors report "one bar on Verizon," so plan communications accordingly.
Dump station fees: Marathon County parks charge for dumping services. A reviewer mentioned: "You now pay to dump your waste" at Big Eau Pleine Park, an important consideration for RVers.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Stoney Creek offers organized recreation programs. "There are so many different planned activities for both the children and the adults to participate in," shares a visitor. "The theme weeks are all fun and well planned out."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment. At Chapman Park, a camper mentioned "a lighted park for kids to play at night," providing evening recreation options.
Site selection: Book sites away from ATV trails if noise is a concern. "There are also ATV trails so we had to listen to that most of the day and night," warns a visitor at Rock Dam Park about certain campsites.
Rustic options: Wedges Creek Hideaway offers cabin camping with heating. "Our criteria - less than $100, pet friendly and rustic... Yes - it did have heat! A little ceramic heater had it so toasty when it was 30 degrees outside we actually turned it off," notes a camper who stayed in the rustic cabins.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV sites near Spencer, Wisconsin vary in preparation quality. At Chapman Park, one RVer mentioned, "Large, level sites with electric hookups," ideal for easy setup.
Electric options: Wedges Creek Hideaway provides full hookup sites. A representative notes the campground offers "electric hook up, cabins, fully furnished houses," giving RVers various options based on their needs.
Weekend booking: RV sites near Spencer fill quickly during summer weekends. "The weekend we stayed was a buy one night get one free so we camped the weekend for under $60!" shares a Stoney Creek visitor about an off-peak special.
Site privacy: Look for wooded sites when booking. At Chippewa NF Campground, campers appreciate that "sites are spread out with woods between the sites," providing a more secluded experience.
