Established Camping
Merrill Lake Campground
About
State Park
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Great little campsite for last minute adventures
There are 8 walk in sites and one drive up site, all first come first serve discovery pass required. Some sites are larger than others, but in ours we were able to fit two 6ptents and one 2p tent. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table. You’ll still see and hear your fellow campers, but it does seem semi private. Make sure to bring toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked. Make sure to haul out all trash.
You can’t use motorized boats and can only fly fish in the lake, but a very nice 1 mile hike is adjacent to the day use area. Also very close to Cougar for gas and supplies for emergencies. Driving distance to popular day hikes. No cell service.
Merrill Lake
Discover pass required
Merrill Lake, just outside of Cougar, WA feels very remote, despite its relatively close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area. This campground is best suited for tent camping, as there is only one RV site and sometimes it’s occupied by a camp host.
I met up with some folks who were in tents and occupied the tent spots and spent the night in the parking lot in my van. Several other folks did this as well. You're just a little ways from the campsites that have picnic tables and fire pits.
The lake is the real attraction here. Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!
- (10) View All
Mountain top lake campground
Incredible, free, private. Tent sites only, short hike in from parking lot, bring your own everything. Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities. Four miles from Cougar.
Location
Merrill Lake Campground is located in Washington
Coordinates
46.09390081 N
122.31980028 W