Wisconsin Camping, Lodging & Buses

We want to help you find the best place to stay during your visit to The Energy Fair in Custer, WI. Options range from camping at the Back 40 (within walking/biking distance), to Travel Green locations that implement sustainable practices. We even have kennel info for your pets.

We offer FREE buses from Milwaukee and Madison, thanks to our event partners at the WI Sierra Club, Milwaukee Shines, and WI K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)/WI Center for Environmental Education. Find more information below.

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Energy Fair Camping
Local Hotels, B&Bs, Campgrounds
Buses (Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire/Menomonie/Osseo)
Local Buses & Shuttles
Biking to the Fair
Air Transportation
Pet Kennels

Energy Fair Location

The Energy Fair grounds are located at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association headquarters, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Custer, WI—about seven miles east of Stevens Point.

Address:
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
7558 Deer Road
Custer, WI 54423

Looking for a place to stay nearby? See a full listing of area lodging options, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, motels, and campgrounds at our Area Accommodations page.

Energy Fair Camping at the “Back 40”

Both tent and RV campsites are available at our Back 40 Campground during The Energy Fair. Sites are located just 1 mile from the Front Gate.

Tent, walk-in: $20/night
Tent with car: $22/night
RV: $25/night

Feel free to park your car for the weekend while you walk, ride your bike, or take the free shuttle (runs every 15 minutes) to The Energy Fair. A solar-powered shower trailer and porta-potties are available for your use.

Register for your campsite starting March 31 (typically fully booked by early June!). Detailed information & campground rules.

The Back 40 is sponsored by Crockett Septic, LLC. They service septic systems and rent portable restrooms. Did you know that portable restrooms save 125 million gallons of fresh water everyday?

Back 40 Campground Address

1215 County Road QQ
Custer, WI 54423

Area Hotels, B&Bs, and Campgrounds

You can visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s website to see a full list of hotels and camping in the central WI area, and don’t forget to check out which lodging options are Travel Green WI certified. Listing does not imply endorsement from the MREA. For details and availability, please contact the site directly. Additional information including details about Portage County can be obtained through the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Energy Fair-negotiated rates available at the following hotels by mentioning the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA):

Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center (held until 5/16/18, Group Block Code: MID). If making reservations over the phone, please call 715-344-0200 and press #3. When making reservations, please reference the group name Midwest Renewable Energy Assn. with Group Block Code: MID.

View Area Accommodations

FREE Milwaukee Bus—Saturday, June 16, 2018

Bus Fare is FREE thanks to Milwaukee Shines and WI K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP). Limited to first 55 sign-ups, with 30 spots reserved for educators. You must still pay your own entrance into the Fair. Register at: TheEnergyFair.org/tickets.

We have the following timing and stops planned:

6:45 a.m.: Park N Ride near Holt Ave and I-43/94/41; free parking available
7:00 a.m.: Milwaukee Train Station (Southeast of I-43/I-794); free street parking may be available in the area; $3 for full day in parking garage
7:20 a.m.: Wauwatosa (US 45/Watertown Plank Rd); free parking available

Bus arrives at The Energy Fair at 9:45 a.m. and leaves the Fair at 7:15 p.m.; arrives in Wauwatosa at 9:30 p.m., Milwaukee Train Station at 9:45 p.m., and the Park N Ride near Holt Ave at 10:00 p.m.

FREE Madison Bus (with stop in Portage) – Saturday, June 16, 2018

Proudly sponsored by Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter. Register at: http://bit.ly/madisonbustofair.

7:00 a.m.: Depart from Willy St Coop West, 6825 University Ave in Middleton. (Please arrive early and park on the street.)
7:15 a.m.: Depart from Hilldale parking lot entrance opposite the Great Dane (Park on the top floor of the ramp.)
7:30 a.m.: Depart from Kohl Center, 601 W Dayton St.
7:45 a.m.: Depart behind Hawthorne Library, 2707 Hermina St.
8:30 a.m.: Optional pick up in Portage, WI if there are riders.
9:45 a.m.: Arrive at The Energy Fair
7:15 p.m.: Depart The Energy Fair to return to Madison. Will be back at Willy St West by 10:00 p.m.

FREE Eau Claire/Menomonie/Osseo Bus – Saturday, June 16, 2018

Tickets are free. “Always Delivering,” Xcel Energy wants to deliver YOU to The Energy Fair! The company is pleased to sponsor a FREE bus from the Eau Claire area to the MREA Fair in Custer. Come visit 200+ exhibitors and choose from more than 250 workshops on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability.

We have the following timing and stops planned:

6:15 a.m. – Menomonie (UW-Stout parking lot 14, located on the east side of Broadway St S, between Main St E and 10 Ave E, see campus map)
6:45 a.m. – Eau Claire (south side of Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701)
7:15 a.m. – Osseo (Mobile Station (closed property) 50712 Oak Grove Rd, Osseo, WI 54758. Property owned by BP Amoco Station & Golden Express Travel Plaza.)

Bus arrives at The Energy Fair at 9:45 a.m. and leaves the Fair at 7:15 p.m. Returns to Osseo at 9:30 p.m., Eau Claire at 9:45 p.m., and Menomonie at 10:00 p.m.

Local Shuttle from Stevens Point, WI

The Energy Fair offers FREE local shuttles to and from Stevens Point. Shuttles come hourly during the following approximate times:

Friday and Saturday
8:00 a.m.–11:25 p.m. (Last drop off leaves The Fair at 10:40 p.m..)

Sunday
8:00 a.m.–5:25 p.m. (Last drop off leaves The Fair at 4:40 p.m..)

:00 Comfort Suites
:15 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
:20 Dunham’s Sports
:25 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
:40 The Energy Fair

Back 40 Campground Shuttle

Camping at the Back 40? Leave your car and take our free shuttle to The Fair! It runs every 15 minutes Friday-Sunday during these approximate times:

Friday and Saturday
7:15 a.m.–11:40 p.m.

Sunday
7:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

Bike to the Fair

Interested in riding your bike to The Energy Fair? The Energy Fair is a comfortable ride from Stevens Point or Amherst. Download the Amherst bike route here. Download the Stevens Point bike route here. Alternative routes from Stevens point on google maps here and here. Contact us at 715-592-6595 for group bike rides to the Fair! Bike rental is available in Stevens Point through Nature Treks at 715-254-0247.

Stevens Point Group Bike Ride—New This Year

Join group leader Melissa for a group bike ride to The Energy Fair. Melissa will be leaving Friday, June 15th at 8:00 a.m. from the UW-Stevens Point Sundial (located West of the UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History/Library) and returning Sunday, June 17th, leaving from the bike racks near the bus stop at 4:15 p.m.

Travel by Rideshare

For those interested in a RideShare, we recommend WI’s RIDESHARE program. WI’s RIDESHARE program brings commuters together, and is a free service provided by the State of WI. RIDESHARE serves all of WI and the bordering counties in other states (IA, IL, MI, MN). Registration through the site is free. It also offers Facebook integration, as well as downloadable applications for those who don’t have email.

Air Transportation

The nearest airports to the fair:

Mosinee (CWA): 30 miles
Appleton: 60 miles
Madison: 110 miles
La Crosse: 125 miles
Milwaukee: 160 miles
Minneapolis: 220 miles
Chicago 250 miles

Kennel Information—No Pets

Please no pets at The Energy Fair! Dogs are not allowed on the fairgrounds, in the parking lot, or in the campgrounds. Dogs and/or any other animal found in any of these areas will be reported to staff and may be removed by the authorities.

For a small fee, you can keep your pet safe and comfortable at one of the following kennels: