Lake Dubay Shores Campground

The Great Outdoors

Campsites at the Lake DuBay Shores Campground are just a short drive from the George W. Mead Wildlife Area, which sprawls across 33,000 acres to the west. It encompasses grasslands, hardwood forests, and conifer bogs, as well as wetlands and lowlands that were used for farming in the early 20th century. More than 70 miles of hiking trails traverse the wildlife area, as does a seven-mile bike loop that winds around the Berkahn Flowage. It’s also a popular birdwatching destination, with around 250 bird species recorded here. Don’t miss a visit to the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center, which was sustainably designed in 2005 and features exhibits detailing the local flora and fauna.Also nearby is the Big Eau Pleine Woods State Natural Area, a tract of old-growth forest on the shores of the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. The gently rolling terrain is dominated by mature maple, yellow birch, and red oak trees, with fallen trees creating a variety of microhabitats for native plants and animals. A short drive from the Big Eau Pleine Woods State Natural Area is the Big Eau Pleine County Park, which encompasses just over 2,000 acres along the Big Eau Pleine Flowage. Here you’ll find 12 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as groomed snow biking trails that are accessible during the winter months. Fishing is also possible from the shores of the reservoir, or there are three boat landings if you want to get out on the water.Around an hour’s drive south of the Lake DuBay Shores Campground is the Sandhill State Wildlife Area, a 9,150-acre reserve that sprawls across a series of gently rolling ridges. Aside from sandy uplands dominated by oak, aspen, and jack pine, there are also large tracts of marshes and flowages. A small herd of American bison calls the wildlife area “home,” as do white-tailed deer and furbearers. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for Canada geese, ruffed grouse, and bald eagles that are regularly spotted here.

Exploring the City

While camping at Lake DuBay Shores Campground, you'll be just ten minutes' drive from the center of Mosinee, where you’ll find numerous supermarkets for stocking up on grocery supplies. There are also gas stations here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a handful of grill-style restaurants and fast-food eateries for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking.Continue driving north, and you’ll arrive in Wausau, which straddles the Wisconsin River. It serves as the county seat of Marathon County. It is home to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, where nature-inspired paintings and sculptures are on display. It occupies an English Tudor-style house that dates to the 1930s and is particularly famed for its annual “Birds in Art" exhibition.If you’re interested in the local history, don’t miss a visit to the Yawkey House Museum, a Classical Revival-style residence that was constructed in 1900. Its interior has been beautifully restored in an Arts and Crafts-influenced design, with custom-made cabinetry and stunning stained glass windows. Opposite the museum is the Woodson History Center, where exhibits about Marathon County are accessible to the public, along with a library.Another highlight of Wausau is the Monk Botanical Gardens, a 29-acre park that’s designed across several themed areas. Stretch your legs along one of the numerous trails that wind through the fields and woodlands or bliss out in the Meditation Garden, then climb the treehouse to enjoy the elevated views. There’s also a Kitchen Garden with a pavilion where you can relax with a picnic lunch.Whether you want to explore the natural wonders of central Wisconsin or discover the cultural sights of Wausau, book an RV rental in Marathon County and start planning your next vacation.