Camping spots near Stratford, Wisconsin offer access to central Wisconsin's unique glacial landscape, with several waterways carved by ancient ice sheets. The area experiences warm summers averaging 75-85°F from June through August, with camping season typically spanning May through October. Most campgrounds provide water access with varying levels of privacy between wooded and waterfront sites.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Big Eau Pleine Park Campground features a scenic wooded disc golf course that requires a daily fee. One camper noted, "Disc golf course and decent fishing. Plenty of trails to hike," making it a multisport destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Water activities: Council Grounds State Park Campground offers kayak and paddleboard rentals near its beach area. "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach," reports a visitor who camped with a group of 12 in July 2023.
Horse trails: Marathon County parks include equestrian-friendly options. At Big Eau Pleine Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "They have a place to ride horses play Frisbee swim fish I love this place and you will," highlighting the diverse recreation options available.
Wildlife viewing: The mature forests around Stratford provide habitats for diverse wildlife. A visitor to Big Eau Pleine Park shared, "Camping sites are very nice and level w majority elec. Wood available for fires an reasonable. Trails for hiking and lots of wildlife. Kids will love it."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campers value the forested settings. At North Wood County Park, visitors appreciate the spacing between sites: "You have plenty of room between campsites and if you're lucky enough to get a water front one it is just beautiful in the fall especially with the geese hanging out in the water."
Handicap accessible options: Big Eau Pleine Park receives positive feedback for its accessible sites. One camper reported, "I stay on the handicapped site. It's big it's level near the bathroom which is a big plus LOL," with another noting, "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."
Beach access: Jordan Park offers a popular swimming area. A reviewer described it as a "Pretty setting, nice little beach area to relax at or great water to kayak in," making it ideal for water enthusiasts.
Waterfront views: Dubay Park Campground provides sites along the Wisconsin River. A visitor observed, "The spaces seem close to neighbors but our site was pretty large in the back. Easy to back into. Really quiet and the lake views are serene."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Stratford have specific booking policies. Dorchester Park & Campground accepts walk-ins, while Jordan Park requires "2 night minimum, 14 night maximum reservation" according to a reviewer who stayed at one of the three canoe/walk-in sites.
Water quality concerns: Some locations experience seasonal algae issues. At Big Eau Pleine Park, one camper noted, "The water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season. Fishing can be good. No longer good for nocturnal carp due to water."
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies widely between locations. A visitor to Jordan Park mentioned, "Free and clean showers," while at Monster Hall Campground, a guest appreciated that "Laundry and showers and facility's were all very clean and well kept."
Urban proximity: Marathon Park Campground is situated in Wausau with corresponding noise levels. A camper observed, "This park is situated by two main busy roads in Wausau. The sites are surrounded by big pine trees," while another mentioned "Sirens all the time, no wildlife outside of squirrels and birds."
Tips for camping with families
Group sites for large gatherings: Council Grounds State Park offers designated group camping areas. A visitor who reserved group sites A and B shared, "They each have concrete pads for 3 campers and TONS of space to spread out and/or set up tents. Non-flush toilets in between the two sites on opposite side of the campsites."
Playground options: Multiple camping areas feature play equipment for children. Jordan Park has "a playground a little ways away from most of the campsites, and near the beach," making it convenient for families to supervise children while enjoying water activities.
Safety precautions: Some trails require insect protection. At Council Grounds, a camper warned, "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."
Youth activities: River's Edge Campground organizes family-friendly events throughout the season. A visitor mentioned, "Lots of activities to do and for the kids to do. Themed weekends throughout the season," providing structured entertainment beyond natural attractions.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Big rig owners should check compatibility before booking. At River's Edge Campground, one camper noted "some tight spots for big campers," while another mentioned "Most sites are very roomy some are little tight for the larger campers."
Hookup options: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. Dorchester Park & Campground offers "$22/night! ($25 for full hookups)" according to a recent visitor, providing affordable options with necessary amenities.
Pad conditions: Surface types affect setup and weather resilience. At North Wood County Park, "Most of the sites have pads," improving stability for RVs, while at Marathon Park Campground, the wooded setting provides shade but limited privacy as "sites are easily visible from one end to the next."
Storm preparedness: Heavy rain can impact some sites. One camper at Council Grounds State Park reported, "We did have a huge storm during our stay that created a river in our site - so tent campers may want to choose wisely," suggesting RVers should consider drainage patterns when selecting sites.
