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Merrick
Overview
Merrick State Park offers a tranquil escape within the Mississippi River backwaters. Located just north of Fountain City, this park is defined by its easy access to the water and its unique position within the scenic Driftless Area. Unlike the bustling main channel of the river, this park provides a calm environment where the landscape consists of winding sloughs and marshlands, making it a premier destination for those who appreciate a slower pace of travel and a connection to the outdoors.
Location & Surroundings
The park sits nestled between steep limestone bluffs and the river's edge along the famous Great River Road. The surrounding area is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, creating a lush, green corridor that feels worlds away from urban life. Visitors often note the dramatic elevation changes of the nearby bluffs, which provide a striking backdrop to the flat, water-bound terrain of the park itself, offering a unique river valley experience.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers will find several camping loops, including the North and South campgrounds, which offer electric hookups for modern rigs. The park provides essential conveniences such as a dump station, seasonal showers, and fresh water access. For those looking to explore the water, there are on-site canoe rentals and multiple boat launches. The park is well-known for its designated canoe trail, which allows travelers to navigate the quiet marshy areas without the worry of heavy motorized boat traffic.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Fishing is a primary draw here, with the backwaters teeming with panfish and bass. The park also features several miles of easy hiking trails that offer excellent views of the wetlands and local flora. Just a short drive away, the town of Fountain City offers local charm, including unique landmarks like the Rock in the House and local vineyards. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars, as the park serves as a major stop for migratory birds and is home to numerous bald eagles.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prefer natural landscapes over commercial amenities. It is a perfect fit for birdwatchers, anglers, and paddlers who want to spend their days directly on the water. While it can accommodate various RV sizes, its rustic charm and quiet nights make it best suited for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience rather than a high-activity resort atmosphere. It is an essential stop for anyone touring the scenic overlooks of the Wisconsin river valley.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Discounts
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Dawn Alberts
We did the bluff view trail and it was very pretty- well maintained trails and overlooks. We stopped at a few parking areas for views of the river. Worth the stop!
Nathan Flaminio
A nice state park with camping, a nature center, boat docks, and hiking trails that run along the Mississippi River. This is a peaceful park and there are some great views. The hiking trail was easy, not much up and down and fairly wide and straightforward. Some of the viewing benches are a bit obscured, but still offered decent scenes. The mosquitoes weren't too bad and I had no ticks, but the deer flies were pretty bothersome. The dock areas look to be in good condition, and I saw several groups of people out on boats. This looks like an equally good area for speed boats, pontoons, and kayaks/canoes. There's a playground (looking a little rough) and handicapped-accessible porta-potties at the parking lot near the nature center. There are many, many handicapped-accessible porta-potties scattered throughout the park. You're never more than a couple minute walk to one here. The campsites on the Mississippi side are large and spaced out well, and offer picnic tables and firepits, along with great views. The campsites on the other side, while pretty, are in between a swamp area and a marsh area. This seems like it would be filled with bugs, and probably not the same comfort level as the other sites. I drove through the area on my way out, so I don't know for sure that it's worse. Well worth visiting, especially if you're bringing a boat.
Jessica Adams
Merrick is a wonderful park! So many turtles and frogs 😁 more than enough firewood. Very nice backwaters. We had a dozen people in our group (3-44yo) and everyone had a wonderful time. There is no swimming beach here, but there is one up in Alma, about 20 miles and one closer back towards Winona, roughly 7 miles. Water sites as well 😊. Be ready for trains, trains, and more trains. Lol. Our first night camping, they ran through the entire night. My 8yo did not like that at 2am but every other night was okay. Definitely recommend if you enjoy fishing, kayaking, boating, or just sitting in nature!! Another awesome thing they do, is every Saturday at 7pm, they have a nature program. Very cool!! Ours was birds of prey.
Minespidur
Very pretty, lowkey state park with secluded camping. Park staff is super friendly. They'll give you all the info you need at the entrance. Not a lot of people camp in the non-electric areas, so I’d definitely recommend them if you’re with a group looking for the full camping experience. Didn’t feel unsafe at all either. Only downside is the restrooms and shower were quite a walk for us. It’d be nice if they had more of them throughout the park. Another thing I’d be weary of is that if you’re gonna use the provided canoes, be careful and don’t paddle directly into the main channel of the Mississippi. The currents in the water are no joke. A lot of the side streams seem a lot deeper than they are too. I’d also bring a change of clothes. You will most certainly get muddy and dirty river water splashed on you. Bring sunscreen and tick/bug spray.
Kelly West
This state park is a nice enough park with South and North campgrounds and boat launches and land in between. It's relatively small. It's nice to ride your bike here, but again, small. The north campground has the electric sites. The sites are not super private but it was pretty quite as far as the campers go. Big downside... these north side electric sites are super close to the train track. I mean, super close. I would try for the higher numbered sites to get a little farther away but it's still going to be loud. We were on site 8ER and the camper vibrated with every train. They are frequent. Also a downside.. there is a lumber mill right by the train tracks. They were closed Saturday and were supposed to be closed Sunday but they started up Sunday evening and it was super loud with this repetitive banging noise. If you're looking for a quite campground this is not for you. The fishing off the piers was pretty bad because speed boats would go through fast and often. I kayaked and getting across the water to the other side was interesting. I had to wait for the boats and then the wakes. The faster boats really didn't care at all. I did enjoy the location and scenery. There is a very nice walking trail where I walked my dog with an entrance directly across from site 8 where we were parked at which was convenient. I will not go back to this park. I much preferred Perrot State Park which is not that far from this park.