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Campgrounds around Merrillan, Wisconsin provide numerous options for outdoor recreation, particularly along Lake Arbutus and the Black River. Jackson County manages several developed facilities including Russell Memorial Park, East Arbutus Campground, and West Arbutus County Park, all offering amenities for tent and RV camping. The Black River State Forest contains additional camping areas with East Fork Campground providing riverside sites in a more natural setting. Accommodation types range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, with some campgrounds like Hixton-Alma Center KOA offering cabin rentals and glamping options.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with some facilities remaining open year-round. Most developed campgrounds provide electrical hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, while shower availability varies by location. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months, especially for waterfront sites which tend to fill quickly. During off-season periods, self-registration may be available at some locations. Campers should be prepared for insects, particularly near water bodies. A visitor noted, "The mosquitos were horrendous. Try early in the season for best experience."
Waterfront locations consistently receive positive reviews, with Lake Arbutus sites being especially popular. Campers appreciate the spacious, well-separated sites at East Arbutus, where one reviewer mentioned "We really like how spacious and spread out the camp sites are. With big pine trees everywhere, there are lots of options for tents and campers to place their site." ATV enthusiasts will find the area particularly appealing as many campgrounds provide direct access to trail systems. The Black River State Forest offers quieter, more rustic camping experiences with one camper describing East Fork Campground as "the quietest we've ever been to" during October visits. Family-friendly amenities include playgrounds, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities, making these campgrounds suitable for various outdoor interests throughout the camping season.
"The camp site was right up against a swamp area so it was kind of buggy, but it was a beautiful area with access to lots of hiking trails and fishing. The vault toilets were well maintained."
"The campsite is close to lots of hiking trails too!"
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Vault toilets throughout the campground and one building with showers and flush toilets near the visitor center with plenty of parking."
"You need a Wisconsin State Forest pass to camp here - an extra fee if you don’t have one already. The sites are varied. Some are closer together with less vegetation between them."
from $21 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Right on the lake so bring water toys. Nearby you can rent canoes and kayaks which will drop off and pick up right to your site. Hiking trails and fourwheeler trails too. Full shower areas as well."
"Loved our time at East Lake Arbutus. A warm shallow lake for swimming and boating, dog friendly, safe for kids."
"The waterfront has mostly electric only sites and run very close to size. We have a 28 5th wheel and we're snug. Site said 25 ft but the picture had a 5'er on it so we booked it."
"Some sites are tight, so make sure that you drive around the campground before picking a site. ATV parking is at the front."
from $7 / night
Check Availability"The sides are a little close to together and our gravel. We had to use boards to level our rig. There’s a swimming pool and a store and two bath houses."
"This is a very well kept and very clean Campground they have activities all the time recording one where they hide painted Stones around the campground and if you find The Rock they have prizes such as"
"The lots are nice sites in a variety of settings, I prefer the wooded sites that are close to where the laser tag is."
from $80 / night
Check Availability"The campground is lovely considering it's only $20 for lakeside ($17 non lakeside). It has a shower house, bathroom, dump station, wood for sale ($6/bundle), ice for sale and is non electric."
"Spacious campsites, surrounded by trees. Try to get a lake side site, they are amazing! Hot showers, flush toilets, firewood available for purchase. Great campsite for tent or rv camping."
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability"I go there at least two or three times every year and it’s so fun there’s a lot of trails that you can just ride your bike on so it’s fun."
"The lake is beautiful for fishing or relaxing. Right now the water is down, and there is no dock at the boat landing."
TravelerI biked into the park and was assisted by the campground host. The swimming area was closed for the season but there was much to see and explore. There was no way to pay in person at the campground. The cost was $27 per night but there was a hefty $10 processing fee. A bit high.
GuideLast minute phone call reservation...early evening...We told the lady on the phone we would be arriving late...She stated she would email me specifics on the camp site etc. For one reason or another I never received the email. We arrived about 11pm. No information left for us in regards to site etc.,so we found what looked like an easy site to back into for the night. I made contact again via telephone with the same lady to get bath house code and mentioned to her that I never received the email....She was very nice and polite. Perhaps an envelope with information left out in addition to an email may have helped. However it was a nice campground, clean, safe, and secure ,Decent level lot with elec and water...Dump station on site.....I would use this campground again if I'm ever in the area. Even when you hit a snag such as not getting the check in email it sure is nice to hear a pleasant voice at the other end of the line.
TravelerI really like this campground, I feel safe as a single person camping with my pups here. The owners are super friendly and the price is very reasonable. There are mostly seasonal here which helps cut back the noise and the crowds.
ScoutI was a little skeptical after a negative review about the regular residents, so I watched for that dynamic. We were camping with another family so we had 8 kids between the two of us and I was worried all those kiddos would upset people. Quite the opposite experience from that review and it motivated me to leave this one to help provide a good picture. I have nothing bad to say about our camping experience. We did go a little out of season (September 12) so a lot of the campsites were empty. Most their sites are flat, and clean. The grass was well mowed and maintained. They had activities for the kids (Halloween). People that drove by were friendly and smiling, and waiving. We had people drop off candy for the kids asking parents first. We had people offer basketballs for our kids to use while they were away from their site. Me and my friend were about to haul ice bags and wood up a huge hill on foot and someone stopped their golf cart and emptied it of what they were carrying to give us a ride to our campsite. The kids tootled about on their bikes being kids with no negative experiences. There were a couple of kids on motor scooters whose engines were kind of obnoxious but that’s going to happen more and more at campgrounds, and it wasn’t during quiet hours. We had sites atop the “full Lakeview” and it was honestly surprising how beautiful it was up there. I think it can be difficult to get a view when you’re camping but those sites had it. We knew the full lake view sites were open so we took the cheaper ones across from them, but still saw the same view. There was a great amount of space between the sites we used. The only possible critique I might offer is in that specific row there weren’t many trees for shade, but the weather was cooler so it didn’t affect us, but if we went in the summer it might have been more uncomfortable without that natural shade. The bath houses and showers were great!!! I feel like a good bath house can make or break a campsite and we’ve been to some smaller ones that were quite lacking but this one was great. Very clean, not many bugs, spacious, real doors on the shower stalls. We did not arrive in season to utilize the pool area but it looked great from the other side of the gate ;) - the parks were well maintained and the kids loved them. there was a set of stairs that went from up the hill down to the office that looked a little sketchy but they were closed off for use. If you didn’t have a golf cart or couldn’t ride a bike, the trek from where we stayed to the office might be a challenge. Overall we loved it and would definitely consider going again. The sites were a little pricey but had on site sewer hookup which is fantastic.
GuideThe East Fork part of the campground is a beautiful area along the river. The sites are nicely spaced and there are pit toilets located throughout. The animals came alive at night and we could hear coyote packs howling to each other, owls hunting, and the crickets and frogs are still going. September makes for hot days and pretty cold nights, but there was good tree cover, that still allowed to see the ALL the stars. There was plenty of room for the 2 allowed cars. Site 124 is located at the end of a loop with dumpsters nearby, that were empty and clean. A very nice place to spend a couple nights!
TravelerNeeded last minute RV space near I-94, and this was more than perfect - it is right off I-94, but placement and trees combined remove the traffic noise. It’s perfect for a family, plenty for kids to do
LegendClean bathrooms, nice showers but they're a dollar for 6 minutes.
TravelerBeautiful city park and campground with very reasonable rates. Most sites have 30 or 50 amp, electric and water as well as walk-in campsites for tents. Park has a rental shelter, dump station frisbee golf a man-made lake for fishing and multiple areas with playground equipment.
ScoutI have camped there many time. Sites are spacious and level. The view of the lake and the geese. Deer park right there. Will be going again.
The Merrillan area in west-central Wisconsin offers a range of camping options clustered around Lake Arbutus and the Black River State Forest. Developed campgrounds like East Fork and Castle Mound provide established sites within the state forest system, while county parks including Russell Memorial Park and East Arbutus Camp feature lakeside sites with varying amenities. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several locations also offering cabin rentals or glamping options. The region's camping areas typically provide access to water recreation on Lake Arbutus or the Black River, making it popular for paddling, fishing, and swimming activities.
Seasonal considerations vary across camping areas near Merrillan, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Russell Memorial Park, East Arbutus Camp, and West Arbutus County Park tend to close by November, while a few facilities like Castle Mound Campground and Jackson County East Arbutus Campground remain open year-round. The terrain primarily consists of wooded areas surrounding lakes and rivers, with moderate temperatures in summer and potential for significant bugs near water. Many campsites require advance reservations during peak summer months. A camper at East Fork noted: "The sites on the river were really pretty but full of mosquitoes. The sites on the other side are also nice and have a much smaller bug presence."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Merrillan region. Lake Arbutus campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their spacious waterfront sites and swimming opportunities. Several visitors highlighted the water-based recreation options available, particularly at East Arbutus Camp. "We really like how spacious and spread out the camp sites are. With big pine trees everywhere, there are lots of options for tents and campers to place their site. Many have lake views," reported one visitor. ATV trail access serves as another notable feature at several campgrounds including Russell Memorial Park, which visitors praise for its convenient trail connections. The area's developed campgrounds generally offer electric hookups, with some providing full services including water and sewer connections, while maintaining a natural setting with ample shade and privacy between sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Merrillan, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Merrillan, WI is East Fork Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
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