Big Eau Pleine Park is a sizeable park containing 1,450 acres of second-growth mixed hardwoods forming a two-mile peninsula thrust deep into the waters of the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. The majority of the park was gifted to Marathon County in 1937 by Consolidated Water Power Company. The park operates two separate campgrounds with a total of 106 sites. Twelve miles of developed trails allow hiking, biking (including 10 miles of groomed snow bike trails) and horseback riding. Visitors can also fish and there are several fishing points near the entrance of the park and adjacent to the three boat landings in the park.

SOUTH UNIT: 2 open shelters with 4 tables underneath, scattered picnic tables, grills, 2 boat landings, water pump, nature trails, horseshoe pits. South Unit Campground: 60 sites; 24 with electricity; 36 without electricity, 2 vault restrooms, dumpster, recycling station, water pump.

WEST UNIT: West Unit Campground, 46 sites, all 46 sites have electricity; 2 water pumps, 2 vault restrooms, campsites with view of water, boat landing, self registration station, dumpster, recycling station, picnic area, group campsite. Enclosed Shelter #19 has picnic tables, windows/sky lights, fireplace, covered wings, picnic tables, grills, fireplace. (Renters can request to have the gate opened to unload and load up closer to the building, but there is "No Parking" past the gate.) List on contract if gate needs to be opened. BEACH: 100 parking spaces (54 beach/46 other), 2 vault restrooms, open grassy area, 3 open shelters, grill shelter, 2 water pumps, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, scattered tables & grills. 39 parking spots in boat landing lot (14 cars & trailers/25 cars), dumpster, recycling station, paved path.

For results on the Marathon County Beach Monitoring program, visit the Beach Monitoring website.

Archery Deer Hunting Information

In 2023 the County amended County Ordinance 19.07(06) to allow for archery deer hunting within the park. All hunters are required to follow county ordinances as well as all other hunting rules and regulations.  For an overview of the rules and regulations in place, review our archery deer hunting information handout.  Please complete a Harvest Report if you do hunt within the park to help provide the department with accurate data on usage and harvest rates.

Maps

Big Eau Pleine Overall Map
South Campground Map
West Campground Map
Big Eau Pleine Summer Trails Map
Big Eau Pleine Horse Trails Map
Big Eau Pleine Winter Trails Map
Disc Golf Rules and Map