Reservations are available and worth making: Merrill Campground on the south shore of Eagle Lake fills quickly once trout season opens, and the hookup sites in particular go fast. Nightly rates run $35 to $80 depending on site type, with full electric, water, and sewer hookups available for RVs up to 178 feet. A dump station sits just across from the campground entrance. The access road from Susanville is paved and winding but manageable, roughly 20 miles northwest through Lassen National Forest.
Sites vary considerably by position. The two upper loops hold the hookup sites and sit deeper under a thick canopy of pines, where shade is reliable even on the hottest summer days. Sites closer to the water get more sun and open sightlines toward the lake, but as one reviewer put it, those spots can be intensely warm mid-afternoon. The campground is part of a cluster of Eagle Lake campgrounds, including Eagle Campground and West Eagle Campground to the east, all within a short drive of each other along the shoreline.
A paved multi-use trail runs along the south side of the lake for roughly six miles, connecting Merrill to Christie Campground and the marina, each about four miles out and back. Anglers come for Eagle Lake trout. Bald eagles are regularly spotted overhead. Note that there is no sandy beach for swimming or sunbathing at the lake's edge. Mosquitoes can be heavy, particularly in spring and early summer, so come prepared.
Riley P. advises campers to "come prepared for the mountain climate with warm sleeping bags," and that holds especially in late summer when nights drop sharply after hot days. Smoke from regional wildfires can affect air quality in August and September, so checking conditions before arrival is a practical step. Flush toilets and potable water are on-site. No showers are available. Pets are welcome on leash. The campground is managed by the US Forest Service and runs from mid-May through the end of October, making it a solid base for anyone exploring campgrounds near Lassen National Forest during the warmer months.
Description
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.
Facilities
Merrill Campground is a unique US Forest Service facility. Totally rebuilt in the early 2000s, it is the prototypical RV park in a Forest Service campground. With 57 full hook-up sites, 64 partial hook-up sites and 51 standard, no hook-up sites, Merrill offers whatever type of site you prefer. Partial hook-up sites have water and electric, no sewer. All electric hook-up sites have a 50, a 30 and two 20 amp outlets provided.All site camping/parking spurs are at least 45 feet, but most are 55 to 75 feet in length, and are essentially double wide. Each site is equipped with a table and a campfire ring with grill. The campground has flush toilets, potable water points, grey water dumps, limited WIFI and firewood is available for purchase. An RV Dump Station Facility is conveniently located just outside the campground with a $5 dump fee. Forty-five sites, #15-#42 and #57-#75, are designated walk-in sites, the other 125 are reservation sites. The paved bike path runs through the campground. The Eagle Lake Marina store with gas, propane, fishing and camping supplies, shower and laundry facilities and boat launch are located 2.5 miles from the campground.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMerrill Campground is located in California near Susanville
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
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/29/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/29/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
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




































