Located in Jackson County, Wisconsin, Merrillan sits at an elevation of 932 feet, surrounded by coniferous forests and wetland areas. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F with higher humidity, while winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 10°F. The region's glacial terrain creates varied camping landscapes from wooded settings to lakefront sites with direct water access.
What to do
Hiking private trails: Wedges Creek Hideaway offers 6 miles of private hiking trails through woodland settings. "We took on the outdoors... on the hiking trails (6 miles) if you choose," notes one visitor to Wedges Creek Hideaway.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Arbutus provides popular fishing spots for anglers. "The lake is beautiful for fishing or relaxing. Right now the water is down, and there is no dock at the boat landing," according to a camper at West Arbutus County Park.
ATV trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to regional ATV trail systems. "We stayed with a group for Memorial weekend. We have such a great time... Our site was a little hard to get into. We stayed at site 116 with a 40 ft 5th wheel," reports a visitor at Russell Memorial Park.
Paddle sports: Rent canoes or kayaks near East Arbutus Camp. "Nearby you can rent canoes and kayaks which will drop off and pick up right to your site," mentions one camper's review.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: East Arbutus Camp offers secluded lakeside camping options. "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," says a visitor at Jackson County East Arbutus Campground.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. "The shower and restrooms were clean. There are larger sites just not all waterfront," notes a camper at Russell Memorial Park.
Wood-fired pizza nights: Wedges Creek Hideaway features special dining events. "Even wood fired pizzas with homemade crust most nights of the week and sometimes live music!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Merrillan, Wisconsin, Pine View Campground offers yurt accommodations. "You name it, they have it... can rent cabins as well," states one reviewer.
What you should know
Cash requirements: Some campgrounds operate with limited payment options. "Make sure that you bring cash with if the office is closed people self-register campsites," advises a visitor to West Arbutus County Park.
Site selection considerations: Campsite layouts vary significantly across locations. "Some sites are tight, so make sure that you drive around the campground before picking a site," recommends a Russell Memorial camper.
Shower facilities: Expect basic amenities with occasional limitations. "There are showers, but it costs $0.50 for 4 minutes," notes a visitor to East Arbutus Camp.
Seasonal water levels: Lake conditions change throughout the camping season. "The hole beach is sandy. They have ice and wood available," reports a Jackson County East Arbutus camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Several areas feature designated swimming areas. "A warm shallow lake for swimming and boating, dog friendly, safe for kids," reports a visitor to East Arbutus Camp.
Playgrounds and activities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer recreation options. "They have a nice playground as well," notes a Jackson County East Arbutus Campground visitor about the available facilities.
Weekend crowd management: Busier periods require planning. "This is a busy campground, a lot of people go there over the weekend," warns a camper at West Arbutus County Park.
Safety monitoring: Some campgrounds have security patrols. "We saw the sheriff's deputy drive through a number of times at night. Good to see them just making sure no one was causing any problems," shares a camper at Russell Memorial Park.
Tips from RVers
Site-specific challenges: Select RV sites carefully based on equipment 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," explains a visitor to East Arbutus Camp.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential wait times when leaving. "Sunday checkout there's a line of campers waiting to dump," warns a visitor about East Arbutus Camp.
Electrical hookup locations: Not all waterfront sites have full hookups. "The waterfront has mostly electric only sites and run very close to size... There are a few full hookup in the center of the campground but not many," notes a Russell Memorial camper.
Leveling requirements: Some sites need additional equipment. "We had to use boards to level our rig," mentions a visitor at Hixton - Alma Center KOA.
