Carson Park
Carson Park is a large city park complex in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, an easy walk from downtown, and the home of Eaux Claires, whose main entrance is at 100 Carson Park Drive. On-site parking at Eaux Claires 2026 was limited to advance passes and sold out, with free parking and continuous courtesy shuttles from the CVTC lot at 613 W Clairemont Avenue instead. Free water stations are on the festival grounds, and empty reusable bottles and hydration packs are allowed in.
Before you go
- Official site
- eauclairewi.gov
- Next festival here
- Eaux Claires, Expected July 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- On-site parking was advance purchase only and sold out for 2026; pass holders enter from Lake Street.
- No overnight parking is permitted in the festival lot.
- The park has several entrances, so follow the event signage rather than a park address.
- The city allows carry-in liquor, beer and wine in the park, but the festival's own rules apply on the day.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Eaux Claires: free CVTC lot parking and shuttle · An easy walk from downtown Eau Claire · Outdoor park with several entrances.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want to stay downtown and walk to the festival.
- You want free water and a bottle you can bring in.
- You need vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free food on site.
Think twice if
- You want to park at the gate: on-site parking is advance only and sold out in 2026.
- You want to sleep in your car: no overnight parking in the festival lot.
Getting there and parking
Carson Park is a large city park complex rather than a single building, and for Eaux Claires the main entrance is at 100 Carson Park Drive. The grounds are an easy walk from downtown Eau Claire. The park has several entrances and facility areas, so follow the event signage rather than any park address.
Festival-specific · Eaux ClairesFor 2026, on-site parking was limited, advance-purchase only and sold out, with pass holders entering from Lake Street and no overnight parking in the festival lot. Free parking and continuous courtesy shuttles ran from the CVTC lot at 613 W Clairemont Avenue, and walking, biking and rideshare all work; rideshare drop-off and pick-up is at the school turnaround near Lake Street and West Grand Avenue, 711 Lake Street.
Festival-specific · Eaux ClairesIn 2026 the box office opened at 11am and gates at 11:30am on July 24 and 25.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Carson Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: eauclairewi.gov.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Carson Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: eauclairewi.gov.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Eaux ClairesThe festival has food vendors with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks. Free water stations are on site, and you can bring an empty reusable bottle or hydration pack through entry.
The city allows carry-in liquor, beer and wine at Carson Park, with kegs needing city approval, while the festival sells its own beer, wine and cocktails; what applies on the day is set by the event.
Quick answers
Where do I park for Eaux Claires at Carson Park?
At the CVTC lot, 613 W Clairemont Avenue, which is free with continuous courtesy shuttles. On-site parking in 2026 was advance purchase only and sold out, with pass holders entering from Lake Street.
Can I walk to Carson Park from downtown Eau Claire?
Yes. Eaux Claires describes the grounds as an easy walk from downtown, and biking works too.
Is there free water at Eaux Claires?
Yes. Free water stations are on site, and empty reusable bottles and hydration packs are allowed at entry.
Is there vegan or gluten-free food at Eaux Claires?
Yes. Food vendors offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, alongside beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks.
Where does rideshare drop off at Carson Park?
At the school turnaround near Lake Street and West Grand Avenue, 711 Lake Street.
Can I leave my car overnight in the festival lot?
No. No overnight parking is permitted in the festival lot.
What time do the gates open at Eaux Claires?
In 2026 the box office opened at 11am and the gates at 11:30am on July 24 and 25.