Established Camping
Merrill Campground
Merrill Campground, near Susanville, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of comfort. With sites that offer both water and electric hookups, it’s a solid choice for families and friends wanting to camp without sacrificing too much convenience.
The campground is surrounded by tall pines and is just a stone's throw from Eagle Lake, making it perfect for fishing, biking, and hiking. Visitors rave about the clean facilities, including flushing toilets, and appreciate the friendly camp hosts who help create a welcoming atmosphere. One camper noted, “The trout fishing is world class and makes for an out-of-this-world fish fry!”
For those who enjoy a bit of activity, there’s a lovely paved trail that runs alongside the lake, ideal for biking or leisurely walks. While there are no showers, the peaceful setting and starry nights more than make up for it. As one happy camper put it, “Quiet starry nights. Recreational lake. Friendly peeps.”
Merrill Campground operates from mid-May to the end of October, so plan your visit accordingly. Whether you’re here for a weekend or an annual trip, you’ll find plenty to love about this campground and its beautiful surroundings.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Lassen National Forest
Overview
Merrill Campground is located in the Eagle Lake Recreation Area of the Lassen National Forest. This recreation area has five campgrounds, three designated day use areas and a marina on the south shore of Eagle Lake. All of these recreation facilities are connected by a 5.2 mile paved hiking/bike trail. The Osprey Overlook, another day use area in the recreation area, can be hiked or driven to for a scenic view of the southern end of Eagle Lake and the surrounding forest basin. The Lassen National Forest offers a variety of lakes, streams and wilderness areas for recreational opportunities. The forest offers miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle riding and in the winter months, snowmobiling.
Recreation
Fishing for the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, a California Heritage Trout, is the primary recreational activity on Eagle Lake, but the 3rd largest natural lake in California (22,000 acres), provides for plenty of room for swimming, kayaking, skiing and all other boating activities by motor or sail. There are no 2-cycle restrictions for outboard boat motors or PWCs.
Natural Features
Eagle Lake is located where the Sierras meet the Cascades at the southwestern end of the lake, and the Modoc Plateau of the Great Basin at the northeastern end. This unique location offers diverse landscapes, geology, wildlife and vegetation. Merrill Campground is located in a mature conifer forest of pines and firs on the southern shoreline of Eagle Lake, at an elevation of 5,100 feet.
Nearby Attractions
The Lassen National Forest has many other recreational opportunities and the Lassen Volcanic National Park is an easy days drive to and from Eagle Lake Recreational Area.
Location
Merrill Campground is located in California
Directions
From Susanville, California, take Highway 36 west for 2 miles to County Road A-1. Turn north and continue 14 miles to the Eagle Lake Recreation Area. Continue past Gallatin Road, the first highway you will come to in the lake basin, and follow the signs to Merrill Campground. Located on County Road A-1.
Coordinates
40.5481194 N
120.8120056 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonFair
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileFair
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly