Are you the owner for this storage? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Council Grounds
Overview
Council Grounds State Park is a peaceful gem located along the banks of the Wisconsin River. Spanning over 500 acres, this destination is steeped in history, once serving as a seasonal gathering place for Native Americans. Today, it offers a tranquil retreat for travelers seeking to experience **Wisconsin's natural beauty**. The park is known for its towering pines and well-kept facilities, making it a reliable choice for a relaxing RV getaway.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled in the city of Merrill, the park sits at the edge of **Alexander Lake**, a flowage of the Wisconsin River. This location provides a unique mix of riverfront scenery and dense hardwood forests. The area serves as a gateway to the Northwoods, where the landscape shifts into a lush wilderness. Visitors can enjoy the calming sounds of the water and the sight of **majestic white pines** that dominate the park's skyline.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground offers several sites designed to accommodate different RV lengths, with many featuring **electrical hookups**. The park provides the following amenities for visitors:
- Access to **modern showers and flush toilets** during the camping season.
- A convenient on-site dump station for RV maintenance and waste disposal.
- A swimming beach and accessible fishing pier on the shores of **Alexander Lake**.
These features ensure that while you are surrounded by nature, your stay remains comfortable and functional.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw, with miles of trails such as the **Big Pine Nature Trail** offering glimpses of local wildlife and old-growth timber. Water enthusiasts can utilize the boat launch for a day of paddling or fishing for walleye and panfish. Just a short drive away, the city of Merrill features historical architecture and local eateries. Additionally, the **Underdown Recreation Area** is nearby, offering extensive trails for mountain biking and hiking.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an excellent match for **nature lovers and families** who appreciate a quiet, wooded atmosphere over a commercial resort setting. It is ideal for RVers who enjoy water activities like boating or fishing from a pier. If you are looking for a **scenic and historic stopover** with essential amenities like electricity and showers, Council Grounds State Park provides the perfect balance of rustic charm and modern convenience.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Tim Gantz
While this is a smaller state park, the more limited camping sites made it feel more cozy. They also have some electric sites! There’s not a ton of hiking trails, but we really enjoyed all that they had. We also love to go on/in the water. The beach and picnic area is not huge, but big enough for the park; and easy to put out kayak in from there. It was beautiful on the lake! We really enjoyed it and will definitely be back!
Becky
Another wonderful Wisconsin State Park! Beautiful spots in the trees with electric and non-electric sites offered. A brand new shower and bath house that was so clean. The extra vault toilet house was also surprising clean (with no odor!) Its location on the Wisconsin River where bicycle trails, beach,canoe and kayak rentals, fishing pier, hiking trails on 500 acres, and a playground offer something for everyone. Firewood was on site for five dollars a load. Nearby Merrill was a friendly town and easy access a few miles away.
RobS
This place was magical. Michigan River on one side, lake on the other. Boat launch area, picnic areas. Such a beautiful spot. We could only stay one night, bummer. Maybe the only drawback was no sewer or dump station. But it's sister camp, Pattinson about 25 minutes away has a dump station you can use if needed
Adrianne Raso
Great park to take the dogs, the park has with fishing piers, a beach, and lots of different areas with picnic tables. Nice trails. Lots of area to be away from others.
Casey Fryda
We loved the beautiful trails, especially near the Grandfather Falls section of the Ice Age trail. Cell service is poor except near the shelter house. There are park benches and picnic tables where you can eat, run around or watch the wildlife, plus hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. (Or just bring a good book!) Canoes are rented by the day, not the hour, which is good since you'll want to take some time paddling around all the gorgeous, calm water!