May 29 - 31, 2026, Buckhorn State Park, Juneau County, Wisconsin, 75 miles
Last weekend, we headed north to Buckhorn State Park, Wisconsin's second-largest state park near the village of Necedah and the town of Wausau. Buckhorn State Park is located adjacent to two connected lakes: Castle Rock and Petenwell. The park is visually stunning with its thick forests and two lakes. It offers several outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, kayaking, and camping.
The setup went very smoothly, except for... the Bugs! Dear Lord above! Literally, within seconds of stepping out of the truck, mosquitoes attacked every patch of exposed skin, including nostrils! We immediately halted our setup tasks to douse one another with bug spray. Gratefully, we had the good stuff, and once applied, it kept the mosquitoes at bay.
The next morning, we explored the park. Currently nursing a badly sprained ankle, I wasn't able to walk very far or hike. There was still plenty to see. Always curious about fishing access, we made our first stop at the fishing pier.
Not only did the pier provide fishing access, but it was also a great vantage point from which to take in the lake. Because the lake is shallow, boaters are primarily limited to fishing, which keeps the lake quiet and peaceful. I encourage anyone considering a stay at Buckhorn State Park to research the area's noteworthy sights and activities. I definitely want to come back when my ankle heals to see Petenwell Rock and possibly take in a dinner at the Buckhorn Supper Club.
There are lovely family playgrounds and picnic parks with sandy beaches and shallow water where kids can play. I was quite impressed with the park's commitment to providing accessibility accommodations.
We attempted to take a hike along one of the trails as the forest's trees and vegetation were so lovely, but the mosquitoes made it unpleasant.
Park goers are well informed that black bears are in the area and are warned to stay alert! I was hoping we'd spot some during our stay, but we did not.
Our campsite was very comfortable and spacious. Conveniently, we were just up the road from the restroom and shower facilities, which were very clean and spacious. As a mother, I appreciated the thoughtfulness of creating large shower spaces as they offered plenty of room to manage bathing kiddos!
Despite the mosquitoes, we had a very enjoyable time camping at Buckhorn State Park. Its stunning campsites and outdoor activities make it a great camping destination ... provided you've got protection from mosquitoes.
