Parks, Recreation, and Forestry
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Topic:  FAQ

Subject:  How To Reserve Your Campsite

Campground Reservation Policy

Campground Maps (all maps are appx. 45kb PDF's)

Marathon County Campgrounds Map Big Eau Pleine South Campground Map Big Eau Pleine West Campground Map Big Eau Pleine Park Overview (Map) Dells of the Eau Claire Campground Map Dells of the Eau Claire Overview (Map) Marathon Park Campground Map Marathon Park Overview (Map) 2010 Rates: Marathon Park $18/night w/electric: $14/night w/o electric Big Eau Pleine Park and Dell of the Eau Claire: $15/night w/electric; $11/night w/o electric All campgrounds:  $6/reservation/cancellation/change fee

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will accept 2010 campsite reservations for camping at Big Eau Pleine Park, Dells of the Eau Claire Park and Marathon Park campgrounds at 9 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2010. 

The non-reservable sites will continue to be available to campers on a first come, first serve basis.

Campers assumes all risks of personal injury or loss or damage to personal property.

Campsite reservations can be made Monday through Friday, 9 a.m - 3 p.m. by calling the campground reservation number at 715/261-1566 or in person at the Park Office, 212 River Dr, Ste #2, Wausau. Discover, VISA, and MasterCard payments are accepted for phone reservations; cash, check, Discover, VISA, or MasterCard payments are accepted for reservations made in person at the Park Office.  Your credit card is charged the entire amount of the reservation (camping fees plus reservation fee) on the day you make a reservation.  No mail-in reservations will be accepted. Reservations cannot be made at the campgrounds. The non-refundable reservation fee is $6.00 per campsite per reservation.

Juveniles (under 18 yrs old) cannot register for a campsite and must have adult supervision at the campsite.

Campsite reservations can be made for occupancy dates beginning Friday, April 23, 2010 through Saturday night, September 11, leaving Sunday, September 12, 2010. Reservations may be made for the current calender year only.

No reservations will be made for a campsite less than two days prior to the initial date of occupancy.

Camping permits expire at 3 p.m. on the last day of the permit period

Campers must bring the confirmation number with them to the designated campground. No camping party shall start setting up or taking down its camping unit between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The person reserving the campsite must be named on the reservation and is the person responsible for the campsite.

A two night minimum and a 14 night maximum reservation will apply at any reservable campsite.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department reserves the right to make adjustments in assigning reserved sites.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department reserves the right to reject or cancel camping reservations when necessary to protect either campers or the natural resources. To extend your stay while camping during your reserved time, you must re-register prior to 10 a.m. on the original reservation departure date. Re-registration must be made directly with the Park Manager at the campground with cash or check payment, and only if there is not a prior reservation for the site requested.

Only two tents or one hard-side camping unit plus one tent per site is allowed.

Reservation changes may be made on the phone by calling the campground reservation phone number 715/261-1566. A change in campsite number, electricity usage, or occupancy dates will result in an additional $6.00 reservation fee charge. Changes to campsite number or occupancy dates will not be made less than two days prior to the initial date of occupancy.

Your credit card is charged the entire amount of the reservation (camping fees plus reservation fee) on the day you make a reservation.

Cancellations made 1 day or more prior to the day the site is to be occupied will result in forfeiture of the $6.00 reservation fee. In addition, a $6.00 cancellation fee will be charged.

Cancellations made the day the site was to be occupied, will result in forfeiture of the $6.00 reservation fee and one night's camping fee. In addition, a $6.00 cancellation fee will be charged.

Firewood Ban Continues in 2010:

Per City of Wausau ordinance no campfires are allowed at Marathon Park campground. Portable grills are allowed for cooking food.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has developed a new rule that prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into county parks, forests and campgrounds. This new rule is necessary because firewood can harbor many different kinds of invasive pests and diseases harmful to Wisconsin’s trees. Pests like gypsy moth and diseases like oak wilt are easily spread through infested firewood. Wisconsin is now faced with the very real threat of becoming the next state to discover the emerald ash borer within its borders.
This beetle, which commonly moves around on firewood, has already killed 20 million trees in southeast Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada. In 2006, emerald ash borers were discovered in Maryland and Illinois. If an emerald ash borer infestation is found, state plans call for the removal of all ash trees within ½ mile of the affected site.
For this reason, campers will be required to obtain their firewood at the county campgrounds. Hours to purchase firewood at Dells of the Eau Claire Park are daily 10 - 10:30 a.m. and 3 - 3:30 p.m. and additionally on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 - 7:30 p.m.  Hours to purchase firewood at Big Eau Pleine Park are 1 - 2 p.m. and 5 - 6 p.m.  Campers can either purchase wood at $4/rick on site or gather up dead or down wood they may find on site. If they choose to gather their wood, chain saws will not be allowed to be used for this purpose.  Per City of Wausau ordinance no campfires are allowed at Marathon Park campground. Portable grills are allowed for cooking food.

If you have any questions, please contact the Park Office at 715-261-1550. To make camping reservations call 715/261-1566.

Generator Use Policy:
Campers may be allowed to operate a generator only under special conditions.  Permission to operate a generator must be granted by the manager at each campground and may be revoked at any time.  Only under special circumstances will generator use be allowed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.