Campgrounds near Wausau, Wisconsin range across the region's mixed hardwood forests and lake-dotted terrain. The area's continental climate brings warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cold winters, making most campgrounds seasonal operations. Several Wausau-area campgrounds sit on peninsulas or shorelines, offering direct water access for boating and fishing.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling: The Wisconsin River and surrounding lakes provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Council Grounds State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy multiple water activities. "You can kayak down the river past the dam to and avoid the other boating area. That's where all the motor boats go," notes Tina D. about the park's water access options.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds feature wooded trails for nature exploration. "Camping, hiking, boating, cross country skiing. This park has a lot to offer. Not as crowded as some other state parks its a nice relaxing place to be," shares Rebecca B. about Council Grounds State Park.
Disc golf: Recreation options extend beyond water activities at some parks. Big Eau Pleine Park offers a full disc golf course set in a wooded area. "You can enjoy a fun game of disc golf on the scenic wooded course," mentions a reviewer, though they note there's "a daily fee for disk golf course."
Horseback riding: For equestrians, Wild West Campground & Corral provides camping with horse facilities. "Being able to watch the horses was very calming," reports Dave S., highlighting the campground's unique equestrian focus.
What campers like
Beach access: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches on lakes and rivers. At Hartman Creek State Park Campground, "the Beach is perfect," according to Leah K. Another camper notes, "There is now a rental building available with kayaks, paddle boats, SUP, etc. to rent. We rented kayaks for an hour and a very reasonable price."
Wooded privacy: Campsites with natural separation rate highly among visitors. "Our site was larger, almost fully shaded under a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees," writes Jimmy P. about Hartman Creek. Another camper explains their site was "right in the tall pines... enough trees for kids to hang hammocks for a little relaxation."
Lakefront sites: Water views and access prove popular with campers. "I was in one of the three canoe/walk in sights and they were right on the water. All three sights were separated from the rest of camp," notes Paul K. about Jordan Park, highlighting the premium experience of waterfront camping.
Group facilities: For larger gatherings, dedicated group sites offer advantages. A reviewer comments about Big Eau Pleine Park: "Group site is still a good deal. They've added electric for at least 8-10 campers. Big site. Your own covered picnic area."
What you should know
Seasonal algae issues: Water quality varies throughout the season at some locations. At Big Eau Pleine Park Campground, a camper warns, "the water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season. Fishing can be good. No longer good for nocturnal carp due to water."
Road noise: Highway proximity affects quietness at some campgrounds. "The only down fall was that you could hear semis on the road very clearly during the evening," reports Amber Z. about Jordan Park. Another visitor confirms, "The bad is a lot of road noise some sites are very close together."
Firewood regulations: Rules for purchasing and using firewood vary by location. At Big Eau Pleine Park, "Firewood permits are required and only sold from 8am - 8pm. The permit lasts for one day and can only be purchased from one location," advises Nicole H.
Maintenance timing: Early risers might encounter maintenance activities at some parks. "They had leaf blowers going at 7 am and came right next to our tents. Then lawn mowers did the same," reports one Jordan Park visitor, noting it "took them 3 hours to do it."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy animal spotting at several campgrounds. At Hartman Creek, one family had fun exploring by kayak: "We were able to explore—saw about 3 dozen turtles which was super fun for the kids."
Beach facilities: Parks with swimming areas provide family-friendly recreation. "The beach was a nice size, water was clean," reports Amy E. about Council Grounds State Park. She adds that "hiking trails were ok, routing throughout the park. Not very long, only one to two miles per trail, but well maintained."
Night sky viewing: Low light pollution at some campgrounds creates stargazing opportunities. "We loved the quietness at night. Not entirely sure, but I believe there is a quite policy after 10pm. Gorgeous to look up and see the amazing stars at night," shares Jen E. about Hartman Creek State Park.
Kid-friendly fishing: Fishing piers provide safe access for younger anglers. "Allen Lake has a fishing pier that the kids loved fishing from. Good catches early in the morning!" notes a Hartman Creek visitor.
Tips from RVers
Electrical service: RV sites with electrical hookups vary across the region. Amanda G. notes that Council Grounds group sites "each have concrete pads for 3 campers and TONS of space to spread out and/or set up tents. Each have electric for each pad, and there is water that can be pumped on each group site."
Cell service information: Coverage matters for connected campers. Big Eau Pleine Park offers reliable connectivity according to one camper: "For those requiring cell service, I had 3 bars LTE with Verizon at my site."
Site conditions: RV campers should consider ground conditions when selecting sites. At Jordan Park, one camper warns about drainage: "It also rained one day which we usually never mind but our entire campsite was a lake."
Dump station costs: Some parks charge for waste disposal services. A Big Eau Pleine Park camper notes, "You now pay to dump your waste," highlighting an additional cost for RV camping near Wausau, Wisconsin that should be factored into trip budgets.
