Featuring a peaceful lake, two superb day-use areas, and one RV friendly campground, Eau Galle Lake is an impressive RV friendly getaway destination. Located within Dunn County, Eau Galle Lake was built on the Eau Galle River by the U.S Corps of Engineers to limit the damage of flooding to the surrounding areas. Surrounding by awe-inspiring bluffs and steep hills, the lake is around 140 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 feet.
Featuring a beach area, boating amenities, and some great fishing spots, recreation on the lake will be a lot of fun for visitors of all ages. Off the lake, there is a 648-acre area that is also used by many visitors to the area. One of the most popular activities off the lake is to explore some of the seven miles of trails that meander throughout the year. Horseback riding is also popular, as well as picnicking in the main day-use area.
The Highland Ridge Campground is the only campground within the Eau Galle Lake area and will be a perfect spot to park your RV and catch some Zs. There are 46 RV friendly sites to choose from, including some sites that have electrical hookups. Peak season at Eau Galle Lake is from the beginning of April until the end of November.
Driving to and from Eau Galle Lake is relatively easy if you are traveling during the summer months. There are roads on the south, east, and west sides of the lake that you can take to gain access, with the most popular one being from the south where the main entrance is located. Since Eau Galle Lake is in rural Wisconsin, you will have to drive a little further to get any supplies you have forgotten, so make sure you double-check that you have everything you need before beginning your journey.
If you do need to stop in at any small towns, you should check out Durand (around eight miles away), Downsville (around nine miles away), and Elmwood (around 14.5 miles away). The closest city to the lake is Eau Claire, which is around 34 miles to the northeast.
If you plan to visit Eau Galle Lake during the winter months, you should be prepared for high amounts of snowfall and the possibility of delayed travel. We recommend calling through to the site office to ensure that you will have access to the lake if the weather is bad.
Parking at the lake shouldn't be a problem if you arrive early, however once the middle of the day arrives the small parking lots can fill up.
Visitors to Eau Galle Lake are lucky enough to have a well maintained RV-friendly campground waiting for them to use during their stay. Operated by the U.S Corps of Engineers, the Highland Ridge Campground is a clean and well-maintained place to stay that features some great views of the surrounding area. The campground has a total of 46 campsites available to stay at, along with a further eight walk-in sites only suitable for tent camping. Out of these 46, many are equipped with electric hookups so that you can enjoy some creature comforts while on your getaway. Some of the sites can be tight to navigate, so, for this reason, big rigs are not encouraged.
Along with having electrical hookups, other amenities in the campground include restrooms, showers, water collection points, a playground, and a dump station. The campground is also pet-friendly, and you should be able to get cell phone reception on all of the major networks.
Reservations for Highland Ridge Campground are available online and are encouraged. Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance, and the campground is open all year round.
If you're searching for something different, there are also alternate camping options available within the Highland Ridge Campground. There are eight walk-in tent-only sites, ten equestrian sites, and two group camping areas, one of which has electrical hookups. The equestrian and group camping sites can be reserved online, and it's a good idea to do so.
If you love to boat, you should really make the most of your time at Eau Galle Lake and get out on the water. While you can't take any large motorboats out onto Eau Galle Lake, boating is allowed for other watercraft, such as electric boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards. If you want to launch a boat, you can do so at the public boat launch near the main day-use area. Interested in renting a watercraft? If so, you will have to do it outside the lake area.
Since there are two day-use areas on the lands surrounding Eau Galle Lake, it makes complete sense to pack some food and enjoy a nice relaxing picnic in this beautiful environment. The main day-use area is the most common place to have a picnic due to the fantastic amenities within it, including toilets, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and numerous picnic tables. There are no picnic shelters available for reservation within the Eau Galle Lake area, so make sure you are there early in the day if you want to use a specific spot!
Swimmers visiting Eau Galle Lake will be very happy to know that there is a sandy beach in the main day-use area that is open for swimming during the summertime. The beach gives you direct access into the lake, which has a relatively shallow depth level of 18 feet, considering how large it is.
Since the beach is at the main day-use area, you can also take advantage of those amenities to further increase your fun day out. If you plan on swimming during your holiday, please be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty at any time.
For some family-friendly fun at Eau Galle Lake, you should consider packing the rods and reels so that you can go fishing. The lake is home to a variety of fish that can put up a challenge, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill. Fishing can be done on boats or from the shoreline, but make sure that you check the bag limit sizes before you start so you are aware of what you can and can't take from the lake.
Remember to dust off your hiking boots and throw them in your RV as there are over seven miles of trails for you to explore during your visit to Eau Galle Lake. The trails will provide you with the awesome experience of seeing pristine wetlands and gorgeous woodlands up close and personal, and people of all ages can use them. If you are a fan of horseback riding, there are also some equestrian-friendly trails available to check out. However, there are no guided horseback activities run by the lake staff.
Since you are in the area, you must take advantage of your proximity to Wisconsin's longest cave. Located just over a mile away, Crystal Cave is a natural marvel. There are numerous steps and ramps that will let you get in and check out what's inside this fantastic area of the state. Guided tours are also available for a fee if you want to learn more about the cave history and how it has been used since its first discovery back in 1881.
