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- Marathon Park Campground
Marathon Park Campground Introduce
For those of us in Wisconsin who cherish the great outdoors but also appreciate the convenience of city life, Marathon Park Campground in Wausau offers a unique and appealing option. Nestled within the expansive Marathon Park, this campground provides a surprising sense of tranquility amidst a bustling urban environment. It's an ideal choice for local residents looking for a quick escape, a comfortable base for exploring Wausau's attractions, or a stopover point during their travels across our beautiful state. We understand that finding a campsite that balances natural beauty with accessibility can be a challenge, and Marathon Park Campground strives to bridge that gap, making it a suitable destination for a variety of campers.
Imagine having a peaceful pine forest setting just minutes away from shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. That's the advantage of Marathon Park Campground. It’s a place where you can set up your tent or park your RV, unwind, and then easily venture out to discover all that Wausau has to offer. This article aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect at Marathon Park Campground, from its strategic location and available services to its unique features and how it caters specifically to the needs and preferences of Wisconsin locals. We'll provide factual information to help you plan your next memorable camping adventure right here in our own backyard.
Marathon Park Campground is strategically located within Marathon Park at Wausau, WI 54401, USA. This places it right in the heart of Wausau, making it incredibly accessible for residents from across Central Wisconsin and beyond. Wausau itself is a hub for business, recreation, and culture, situated at a major crossroads of state highways, ensuring a straightforward journey for campers from various parts of the state. Whether you're coming from Stevens Point to the south, Rhinelander to the north, or Green Bay to the east, navigating to Marathon Park is quite simple.
The accessibility of this campground is one of its primary draws for local users. Unlike many secluded campgrounds that require a significant drive into remote areas, Marathon Park Campground offers the best of both worlds: a natural setting with the convenience of urban proximity. This means less time spent driving and more time enjoying your stay. The park's location within the city allows for easy access to groceries, restaurants, and other essential services, which can be a huge benefit for campers, especially those with families or those on a longer trip who need to resupply. Despite its urban setting, the campground is situated within a quiet section of the park, often shaded by towering white pines, offering a surprising degree of peace and quiet.
Camping Sites: Marathon Park Campground offers a number of camping sites suitable for both tent and RV camping. While specific hookup details for all sites may vary, some sites do offer electrical hookups (including 30/20/15 Amp options, with limited 50 Amp availability).
Restroom Facilities: Flush restrooms are available for camper convenience. It's noted that these facilities may not be heated, and water warmth for showers can vary, so campers should be prepared for potentially cooler showers, especially outside of peak summer.
Showers: Shower facilities are provided, though previous camper experiences suggest that warm water may not always be consistently available, particularly in cooler months.
Potable Water: Access to potable water is available within the campground area.
Dump Station: A dump station is provided for RVs. Please note that a cash fee may be required for its use, even for campers staying at the park.
Self-Registration: The campground often operates on a self-registration system, requiring cash for payment, especially for shorter stays. Reservations may be required for longer durations (e.g., more than two days).
Dog Exercise Area: As part of the larger Marathon Park, there is an outdoor dog exercise area, making it a pet-friendly option for those traveling with their canine companions.
Playground Equipment: Located within Marathon Park, campers have access to several playgrounds for children.
Urban Park Setting: Enjoy camping within a large, diverse city park, offering a unique blend of natural surroundings and urban convenience. The campground itself is often described as being in a "quiet pine forest."
Walking Trails: The park features nice walking trails, perfect for leisurely strolls and connecting with nature without leaving the city limits.
Proximity to Marathon Junction: Within Marathon Park, campers can enjoy Marathon Junction, which includes a miniature train ride and concessions (seasonal operation).
Splash Pad (Seasonal): A splash pad is available within Marathon Park, offering a fun way to cool off during warmer months (check for operational status, as it may undergo construction/maintenance).
Sports Facilities: Access to various sports facilities within Marathon Park, including tennis courts, pickleball courts, and basketball courts.
Quiet Atmosphere: Despite being in a city, the campground is often noted for its quiet and peaceful ambiance, especially during off-peak times, providing a relaxing retreat.
No Campfires: It is important to note that campfires are generally not permitted at Marathon Park Campground. This is a significant point for many traditional campers and should be considered when planning a visit.
Limited Water Hookups: Campers should be aware that water hookups may not be available at all sites, requiring some planning for water needs.
For inquiries or to plan your stay at Marathon Park Campground, please use the following contact information for the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department:
Address: Wausau, WI 54401, USA (located within Marathon Park)
Phone: (715) 261-1550 (Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department)
Marathon Park Campground is an excellent choice for Wisconsin locals for several practical and appealing reasons. Firstly, its location in Wausau makes it incredibly accessible for a significant portion of the state's population. For those living in the central or northern regions, it’s a convenient drive for a weekend getaway, eliminating the need for extensive travel often associated with more remote campgrounds. This accessibility means less time on the road and more time enjoying your break.
Secondly, the unique blend of a natural, forested camping experience within an urban park provides a distinct advantage. Locals can enjoy the serenity of camping amidst towering pines, with the added benefit of being mere minutes away from Wausau’s diverse amenities. This includes access to local restaurants, grocery stores for restocking supplies, and various city attractions. Whether you’re interested in exploring the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, catching an event at the Grand Theater, or simply enjoying a meal out, everything is within easy reach. This contrasts sharply with more isolated campgrounds where such conveniences are often hours away.
Furthermore, Marathon Park itself offers a wealth of activities, from the miniature train and splash pad for families to walking trails and sports courts for active individuals. While the no-campfire policy might be a departure for some traditional campers, the overall convenience, quiet atmosphere, and proximity to city life make it an ideal option for those seeking a different kind of camping experience. It’s perfect for a quick escape, a family outing where convenience is key, or as a convenient base while exploring the broader Wausau area. For Wisconsin residents, Marathon Park Campground truly offers a practical and enjoyable way to connect with the outdoors without sacrificing the comforts and opportunities of an urban setting.
Location
WisconsinMarathon CountyWausau
Customer Reviews
Clean campground with nice walking trail. Bathrooms/Showers are not heated and water wasn’t warm enough to shower in. No water hookups and no campfires!! No campfires is the deal breaker for me so I will not be returning. The campfire is one of our favorite parts of camping!!
Quiet pine forest. Went in September and mens bathroom was locked? Also need cash for self registration. They did not take reservations for less than 2 days. Park was almost empty on a Sunday night.
Nice looking park but the bathrooms are disgusting. The bathrooms appear to have not been cleaned for a very long time with feces on all the toilets and spiders everywhere. The showers are disgusting as well with no hot water. During our stay I saw a Marathon Park employee and 2 other guys (1 carrying a toilet brush) attempt to get into the men's bathroom but did not go in. I assumed they were there to clean the bathrooms but they did not go into the men's bathroom at all. They did go into the women's bathroom but came right back out in a few seconds. My wife advised that nothing had been cleaned inside the bathroom after they had left. The park is very nice looking except for the homeless people and drug addicts walking through the park. There are people walking through the park at night that appear to be on drugs.
Very rude campers walking thru campsites they don't belong in. Second time in a year the office didn't post our permit number.
I hate to write this review. The campground is a great location. That is the positive. On the negative side I have several things. Most of the sites are only electric, you will have to put water on. That is not a big deal as the price per night will definitely compensate you for this. You can't have a campfire. This can be a big deal for many people. The reason i have given this campground a three star review though is for the staffing/hosting. I have camped her several times in the last two years. Last year, we were enjoying an evening with friends listening to music, when the camp host came over at 8 pm to ask us to turn the music down as there were camper that needed to fish early in the morning the next day. Quiet time was listed as 10pm and we really didn't have our music that loud. We obliged and my friends left, all was good. This year, we came back from the dinner to find a tree down across the roadway. It had stormed while we were gone and we were concerned about our site. We had stopped to talk to a camper when the same host pulled up beside us and asked us to leave in a not so kind tone. I was kind and did back my truck up to find another way to my site. Overall this is a nice place in a great location with not so great hosts and really bad bathrooms (Left that one for the end).
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