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June 9, 2025
MARION – With more than 600 total sites, Kinney Lake Campground in Marion is one of the Badger State’s largest campgrounds.
However, General Manager Sarah Krause said it’s the campground’s focus on keeping everyone, of all ages, entertained that makes it stand out.
From themed weekends to bike/kayak/paddle board rentals to the largest aquapark in Central Wisconsin – Krause said Kinney Lake Campground has something for everyone.
A peek at the grounds
Nestled on more than 130 acres, Krause said Kinney Lake Campground offers water and electric overnight sites, full hook-up sites, rustic tent sites and cabins.
Furthermore, the campground has seasonal sites, beachside sites, pull-through sites, back-in sites and four-guest and six-guest cabins.
Kinney Lake, Krause said, offers two types of cabins – deluxe rental cabins (which have in-cabin bathrooms) and rustic rental cabins (which have bathroom facilities outside of the cabins).
When the campground was purchased in 2022 by Stevens Point-based C&D Hospitality, Krause said the new owners expanded – installing an arcade, an Aquapark pond and increased the property’s accommodations.
The expansion, she said, added 60 full hook-up sites, 10 deluxe rental cabins and the 1.5-acre Aquapark pond, which also has a concession stand attached.
Krause said construction on these additions took a while to complete, but all major expansions wrapped up in 2024.
“Last year was amazing – people loved the Aquapark,” she said. “Our seasonal campers are super excited about this year. We’ve got a pretty good amount of new seasonals in and reservations already set for this year.”
A little bit of everything
As she previously mentioned, Krause said themed weekends are one of the things the campground is known for.
From country music and Harry Potter to Dr. Seuss and water wars to Christmas in July and prom – Krause said each themed weekend features activities geared specifically to the theme.
This, she said, can include live music, board games, dance parties, food options, scavenger hunts, costume contests and more.
Krause said many campground reservations come as a result of the themes.
One of Kinney Lake’s most popular – and the first to sell out – she said, is its Christmas in July weekend.
Over the last two years, Krause said the event has also helped raise money for a charity bearing the same name (Christmas in July Charity) based out of Rothschild.
“It’s a really great charity,” she said. “Greg Cemke, the founder, raises funds and brings joy, comfort and support to children facing medical challenges. Last year, (from the) raised funds, he was able to deliver toys to the kids in the cancer center in Marshfield.”
This year’s event, Krause said, will feature a poker run, with all funds raised going directly to the Christmas in July Charity.
The weekend also includes a visit from Santa, candy canes and a wagon dressed up to look like Polar Express – complete with cold chocolate milk in place of hot cocoa.
Another popular returning theme in 2025, Krause said, is Water Wars Weekend.
On the Saturday during the event, campers can participate in – you guessed it – a water war by the lake.
Campers who aren’t wearing “caution tape,” she said, are fair game.
Krause said Weekend activities will also include a Cardboard Regatta, where teams will design and race their own cardboard boats.
A full list of themed weekends – including details and activities – for the 2025 camping season is available at kinneylakecampground.com.
In addition to Kinney Lake’s themed weekends, Krause said the campground also hosts other special events – including meat raffles, fish frys, bingo and “Best Seat in the House” contests for Milwaukee Brewers games.
Krause said the campground has no shortage of water features as well.
The campground, she said, has a heated pool, a lake for fishing and swimming and the Aquapark pond with a sandy beach – which is free to campers.
Krause said day passes are available for the Aquapark – prices and hours are available on the campground’s website.
Kinney Lake amenities, Krause said, don’t stop there.
Others include:
- On-site bar and grill – The Tortoise Club
- Poolside tiki bar
- Public boat landing
- Three playgrounds
- Volleyball court
- Camp store
- Laundry facilities
- Concession stand
- Mini-golf
- Propane tank fill station
- Dog friendly
Krause said a common compliment Kinney Lake gets from visitors is that “the amount of activities is perfect.”
Gaining traction
In addition to serving as Kinney Lake’s general manager, Krause said she is also in charge of marketing for the campground, as well as for Rivers Edge Campground (Stevens Point) and Oasis Campground and Waterpark (Hancock) – two other C & D Hospitality properties.
Social media, she said, is a big part of those marketing efforts – not only to help gain awareness, but to update visitors on the things happening at them throughout the season.
“Social media has had a huge hand in the improvement of Kinney Lake,” she said. “People are using our amenities, sharing and taking photos with the stuff we have out there. You can’t buy that kind of advertising. Anytime anybody posts on Facebook or Instagram, they’re doing a better job than we could do.”
