Map showing campground location near Nelsonville, Wisconsin

Camper submitted image from Lake Emily Park

Lake Emily Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

A county park on the shores of Lake Emily in Portage County, Lake Emily Park North Campground sits within a short drive of campgrounds near Nelsonville and draws campers from across central Wisconsin. The park runs from May through October and accepts both tent campers and RVs with electric and water hookups. A staffed check-in station sets it apart from most county parks in the region, where self-check-in is the norm.

Sites range from open and sunny to heavily shaded under a tree canopy, giving campers some choice depending on preference. The lake is accessible by stairs or an alternate path down a hill, and several reviewers note the climb back up with gear is a real consideration. Sites E, F, and G sit in a cluster that opens toward the water, making them a practical choice for groups but limited in privacy when booked individually. Lake Emily Park South Campground is also on the property.

One consistent note across reviews: train and highway noise. Highway 10 and an active rail line run close to the park, and noise at night is noticeable. Donna W. describes the bathrooms as featuring "very clean showers and bathrooms," and cleanliness comes up repeatedly across reviews. The beach has lost some ground to rising lake levels in recent years, though the water remains swimmable and the area works well for kayaking. Hiking, fishing, and bike trails round out the on-site activity options.

Campers who can plan around the noise will find a well-maintained county facility with solid water access and room to spread out.

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Map & DirectionsLake Emily Park is located in Wisconsin near Nelsonville

Public Campground

Directions

From town: Go 1 mi W on Old US-18.

Address

3968 Park Drive
Amherst Junction, WI 54407

Coordinates

44.47100088 N
89.33000018 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

39 min from Wausau, WI
47 min from Oshkosh, WI
49 min from Appleton, WI
1 hr 4 min from Fond du Lac, WI

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Lake Emily Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the large, often wooded sites and clean facilities including free showers and swimming areas. Noise from nearby Highway 10 and trains at night was a recurring concern for several visitors.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

C N.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2024

3 sites great for a group

Did some fall camping with friends, and there were 4 family’s. 3 of them stayed in these three sites which were fairly wide open and kind of looked over the lake. They would be great sites to book as a group, but I wouldn’t recommend them to book individually as you wouldn’t have much privacy, more so in the middle site. These three sites are E, F, and G. Bit if a corner site and you are next to some private homes.

SiteE-F-G

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

C N.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2024

Great location and plenty of space

I have came here a couple times with friends for fall camping. The campground doesn’t have a lot of extra amenities, but still a nice simple campground to be in. There are a mix of sites that have a little more privacy, and others that are wide open which would be better for group setups.

Site35

Month of VisitOctober

Tom

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2022

Emily lake south

Nice campground. hiking, fishing, bike trails. Tent sites 19.00 per night electric sites 25.00 no full Hookup.

Site52 campground host

Month of VisitJune

Raechel S.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2021

Cute park

We enjoyed camping here. Would go back. There’s a couple sites that are absolutely huge! The lake water has being rising and the beach is almost swallowed up which is lame because it used to be sooo nice! The water is still swimmable and it’s great for kayaking. The steps are rough going to the water won’t lie.

Site19

Month of VisitJune

Donna W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2020

Clean family friendly Campground

Nice large nice large sites, swimming, boat landing, shelter building to rent, very clean free showers, and flush and pit toilets

Donna W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2020

Clean, family-friendly Campground Campground has nice large sites

Campground has large sites. Many shaded in woods, some open and sunny. Swimming area, playground, boat landing, very clean showers and bathrooms. Only downfall is an active train going through at night.

Site8

Month of VisitJuly

Julie W.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

County park with camping

This a small county park in Portage County, camping was $14 per night and was not full. There was shelters, playground and a lake to swim. But the trail to the lake was down a hill, either by stairs or another route. After having fun on the beach, you got to remember you have to go back up that hill with all your beach stuff. Sleeping at night, better hope you use to noise! Highway 10 and the train runs right near this park, so not quiet at night.

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Matt S.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2016

Lake Emily Campground is a typical county park campground.

Lake Emily campground is very clean. The campsites have a lot of trees and there is actually a park ranger and check-in station. This is an unusual feature for a lot of county parks. You usually find a self check-in at a lot of county parks. This is a nice place if you just want to park your camper in the woods and relax playing board games with your family of friends.

(10) View All

Stefanie J.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2016

Great place!

Nice little beach area to swim in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between Lake Emily North and South Campgrounds?

Lake Emily Park does not appear to have formally designated North and South campgrounds. The park features a variety of campsites with different characteristics - some are shaded in wooded areas while others are more open and sunny. Some sites offer lake views, and there are particularly spacious sites that work well for group camping. For specific site recommendations or to understand different camping areas within the park, contact the park office directly.

What do reviews say about Lake Emily County Park?

Lake Emily County Park offers a clean camping environment with a mix of wooded and sunny sites. The campground features a nice beach area for swimming, though water levels have risen in recent years affecting beach size. Visitors enjoy the lake for swimming and kayaking. The park has a playground, boat landing, and hiking trails. While most appreciate the park's natural setting and amenities, some note the challenge of returning up the hill from the beach area and mention an active train passing through at night.

What camping facilities are available at Lake Emily County Park?

Lake Emily County Park offers a range of camping facilities including tent sites and electric hookup sites (no full hookups available). The campground provides clean showers that are free to use, plus both flush and pit toilets. Additional amenities include a swimming beach, boat landing, playground, and shelter buildings available for rent. There are also hiking and biking trails for recreation. Camping rates are $19 for tent sites and $25 for electric sites. The campground has a staffed check-in station with park rangers, which is somewhat unusual for county parks.

How do I get to Lake Emily Campground in Amherst, Wisconsin?

Lake Emily Campground is located in Portage County near Amherst, Wisconsin. The campground is operated by Portage County and features a staffed check-in station where you can register upon arrival. For specific directions, it's best to check with the Portage County Parks Department or use GPS navigation to the official address. The park is accessible by vehicle and offers parking for campers.

Where can I find a map of Lake Emily campground?

To find a map of Lake Emily campground, check with the park rangers at the on-site check-in station upon arrival. The staffed entrance is an excellent resource for obtaining campground maps and information. Alternatively, contact the Portage County Parks Department before your trip to request a map. They may have digital versions available online or can direct you to where maps are posted. Maps are particularly helpful for identifying the different site types, including the notably large sites mentioned by visitors and those with more privacy.

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