Best Campgrounds near Wausau, WI
The north-central Wisconsin region surrounding Wausau features a mix of county, state, and city-managed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Marathon Park Campground sits within Wausau city limits, offering convenient urban camping with tent and RV sites surrounded by pine trees, though campers note traffic noise from nearby roads. More secluded options include Big Eau Pleine Park Campground, a 1,450-acre peninsula extending into the Big Eau Pleine Flowage with 106 sites across two camping areas. Council Grounds State Park in Merrill provides year-round camping with access to the Wisconsin River and Alexander Lake, while Dells of the Eau Claire Park Campground features riverside sites amid unique rock formations.
Most campgrounds in the Wausau area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter options. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. According to one camper at Council Grounds State Park, "The campsites were clean and spacious, we had enough room in our site for a tent, screen tent, and a boat." Amenities vary significantly between locations, with Marathon Park offering urban conveniences but no open fires, while more remote sites provide traditional campfire experiences. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 55-85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Insects, particularly deer flies, can be problematic near water in summer months.
Waterfront camping represents a major draw throughout the region, with numerous sites offering access to the Wisconsin River system and various lakes. Big Eau Pleine Park features lakeside sites with electric hookups for $18-23 per night, while Dubay Park Campground provides riverside camping with four distinct loops. As one visitor noted, "There is a nice dock that is a good spot to watch the sun set over the river if you can stand the bugs." Family-friendly amenities are common, with many campgrounds offering beaches, fishing piers, and hiking trails. Sites with more privacy tend to be walk-in options, which typically require advance booking. Campers seeking quieter experiences should consider weekday visits or the smaller, less developed campgrounds like Camp New Wood County Park with only seven sites.
