Best Equestrian Camping near Wausau, WI

This Beach is perfect, horse trails, biking trails. Right along the ice age trail!

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.

Eau Pleine is from the French phrase meaning full water or stock river. There are two separate campgrounds–( the West Unit and the South Unit) with a total of 106 sites– about 60 with electric. The daily fee ranges from$18.00 for a non-electric, with no lake view to$23.00 for lake view with electric.

You can hike, bike, or ride your horse on the 12 miles of scenic, wooded trails. The park also offers several fishing points near the entrance and along the three boat landings. There is also a beach, two shelters and scattered picnic areas. And you can enjoy a fun game of disc golf on the scenic wooded course.

We found this park to be absolutely beautiful and definitely give it a double Hell Yeah!!

To see our video tour of this campground, you can click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfPoWE3lvXo

Campground Review: As someone who has camped my whole life, mostly at Wisconsin State Park, it is surprising that this was my first time at Hartman Creek. Hartman Creek has pretty spacious sites, though they can range from very big to just big enough. Our site was larger, almost fully shaded under a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. The only thing I didn't like was the sandy soil, but otherwise our site was awesome.

There is ample hiking opportunities in the area, some you can walk to from the campground, some requires a small amount of driving. The lake was a smaller lake, but nice for swimming. They do a great job of keeping the beach and swimming area clean.

Overall it was a great time and we'll definitely be back.

Gear review: A couple months ago I won the contest for WI and was excited to test the Mountain House 5-Day Kit. Ever since I started backpacking I've heard and seen the Mountain House packs. I never bought them because I like to prepare my own food, and I enjoy cooking on the trail. Since I won it I was very curious.

I have to say I was very impressed with the ease of making the food: just boil a couple cups of water, pour it in, mixed it, and seal it for 9 minutes. Voila! A tasty meal.

I had the Chili Mac, and it was awesome. For someone trying to save weight on the trail, or those not confident in your cooking (or trail cooking), I can definitely recommend Mountain House meals.

The box calls it an emergency 5 day kit, and it has a shelf life of 12+ years. For emergency purposes, it is an awesome thing to have on hand, especially in areas that are prone to loss of power, flooding, tropical storms, etc.

For myself, I don't know that I'll purchase Mountain House meals at full price for backpacking or camping, but I definitely think it is a "Ranger worthy" product that is very useful for the right situation and right person.

The campground is pretty basic nothing fancy. You get privacy from campsite to campsite which is nice. The most epic part of the place is the Eau Claire river with the rocks and mini water falls. Spring time the water is usually high and the breakup of ice happens it’s amazing to see. It’s crazy loud too! In the summertime you will see people all over the rocks swimming/sun bathing/having picnics/weddings/photo shoots…. You name it. The weekends are busy there all summer long. There is a beach area but sometimes it gets washed out pretty bad. I visit the place at least once a year. We like going and hiking there too.

I have camped with a club in the group site for years. Electric sites. No water. You now pay to dump your waste. Price is right for a county site. BUT the water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season. Fishing can be good. No longer good for nocturnal carp due to water. Group site is still a good deal. They’ve added electric for at least 8-10 campers. Big site. Your own covered picnic area. There are concrete outhouses which we have used as bunkers during inclement weather.

Its been awhile since we've been here, so we will be making a trip in the future. The place is great! Big secluded sites. Plenty of shade. My favorite sites are on the river as its relaxing and comforting listening to the fast moving stream especially at night. You can bring your ATV to ride on the ATV track there or on the trails in the woods. We seen deer while riding through the trails. If you dont have an ATV you can always just kick back and relax or go to the track and watch a race of they're hosting an event that weekend. Its just an overall great rustic campsite. They recently updated the sites to have electric. They do have RV sites with full hookups. Showers and flushable toilets up at the entrance. Brochures and local information available as well. You can fish but all ive caught was some chubs. I heard you can get trout. You wont be disappointed! Its run by the small city/town/village of Tigerton. support the small local communities. There is a small restaurant/gas station down the road or go into town and there's a grocery store and a local tavern.

Ice cream 🍦 Shop in hot Dog 🌭

Not our typical type of campground but absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected considering what we typically look for. All amenities are very nice.

You name it I’m sure you can find it at Hartman Creek. From swimming area fishing hiking trails. My favorite camping ground even when was a kid.

Good

We camped in the family campground with our 17 foot Casita travel trailer. Large private site surrounded by trees, with several options for positioning the trailer. The nearby chain of small lakes connected by narrows is ideal for kayaking. Lots of level paved roads for cycling, and wooded trails for hiking. Clean restrooms with showers.

Loved this park and will return again! I stayed at site 38 which had good privacy on one side, the other site was a little more exposed. Research your spot before booking as some are wide open and others have privacy. There are 100+ site at this park and two shower houses. The shower houses could use some work, however, the hot water was on point! Lots of trails and beach access. Great for bikes and kayaks. This is an older park, with some partying, but I’ll be back. Had a great time.

Camped here many times, there are 3 lakes w in campground, a beach lake w pavilion n bathrooms, there is a fishing pier w walk bike trail around lake, bike or drive to any of the lakes n beach, all non motorized, can rent kayaks n canoes, pan fish n bass, restrooms, vault and flush, free showers, host on site, patrolled by dnr n no loud noise so its a peaceful park. W in boundaries of park is Marl lake used to be mined for its sand to make motor for bricks, very deep, n cold, excellent snorkeling, it has a dock to jump off of,connects to a few lakes that are part of Waupaca water ways park and walk to this lake. Walking trails around lakes w in park. firewood n ice available.

Must have state park pass plus camping fees.

I don't have a lot to report about Hartman Creek State Park. The lake is pretty. The campsites are a good size with plenty of shade. The facilities are reasonably clean. There are some hiking trails. It is a pretty average campground. Nothing stood out as being great or bad,