Is Council Grounds State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Council Grounds State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Council Grounds State Park before I book?

Yes! Council Grounds State Park has 13 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Council Grounds State Park?

Yes, Council Grounds State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Council Grounds State Park?

Fire policies at Council Grounds State Park: Campsites include fire rings; visitors report firewood availability at the park entrance or in nearby town but note occasional shortages.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Council Grounds State Park?

Cell phone service at Council Grounds State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Council Grounds State Park have?

Council Grounds State Park has 56 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Council Grounds State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Council Grounds State Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Council Grounds State Park?

Council Grounds State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Council Grounds State Park?

Popular activities at Council Grounds State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Council Grounds State Park

4.24

99 reviews

Top 23% in WISummer

C+Report Card

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Wisconsin

Quick Facts

1,312 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

56 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,312 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

56 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Council Grounds State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Council Grounds State Park

45.1875, -89.7342

Nearby places

Merrill (nearest city

a few miles away)

Nearby supplies

Merrill — grocery stores and gas stations (firewood often available at gas stations)

park entrance sells or lists firewood availability according to visitor reports.

Weather at Council Grounds State Park

Best Time to Camp at Council Grounds State Park

Summer is the best time to visit for warm-water recreation and full campground services. Daytime highs reach 75–85°F with cool nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F. Swimming, boating, and fishing from the docks peak during these months, and the tree cover keeps campsites comfortable even on hot afternoons. Expect higher visitation on summer weekends and holidays. Mosquitoes and deer flies are common, especially at dusk. Fall brings fewer crowds and autumn color in the canopy.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in WI

Best season: warm-water recreation, swimming, boating and full campground services in summer.

Planning Tips

About Council Grounds State Park

Council Grounds State Park sits along the Wisconsin River near Merrill, offering 56 campsites under mature trees with electric hookups, flush toilets, and showers. The park includes a sandy swim beach, fishing docks, and short hiking trails. It's family-friendly but can get noisy on summer weekends, and some visitors report that restroom facilities need updates.

Family-oriented state park campground with a mix of electric and non-electric sites, wooded settings, and group camping options.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the best time to visit for warm-water recreation and full campground services. Daytime highs reach 75–85°F with cool nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F. Swimming, boating, and fishing from the docks peak during these months, and the tree cover keeps campsites comfortable even on hot afternoons. Expect higher visitation on summer weekends and holidays. Mosquitoes and deer flies are common, especially at dusk. Fall brings fewer crowds and autumn color in the canopy.

Natural Features and SceneryMature hardwoods canopy most of the campground, providing thick shade through summer. The Wisconsin River runs alongside the park, with fishing piers extending over the water and a small sandy beach for swimming. A dam sits nearby and offers views from designated areas. Short trails wind through the woods and lead to river overlooks. The elevation at 1,312 feet keeps the landscape gently rolling rather than flat.

Scenic ViewsRiver frontage and dam views from trails and river-adjacent campsites; wooded interiors offer shaded, forested views.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites56 campsites

Best CampsitesRiver-adjacent sites and those with direct views of the river or dam are the most desirable. Many reviewers prefer shaded, wooded sites that offer more privacy. Some sites are large and level, while others sit on uneven ground.

Need help booking Council Grounds State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Mix of modern and older facilities: multiple flush toilet buildings and a shower house are available; sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings. Cell coverage is reported good by reviewers.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Active riverfront park offering short hiking trails, fishing, boating and a small sandy swim beach; also family-friendly features like playgrounds and picnic shelters.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBiting deer flies at dusk and mosquitoes in wooded/river areas. River areas have shallow, fast sections and rocky banks in places; some campsites are uneven which can be problematic for large campers.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Council Grounds State Park

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From Booking Sources

4.2

99 reviews

Satisfactory

Council Grounds State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers commonly praise the park's scenic Wisconsin River setting, wooded and generally spacious campsites, good short trails, fishing docks and a small sandy swim beach. Facility feedback is mixed — many note flushing toilets and a shower house, while others describe restrooms/showers as older or in need of maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 99 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic riverside location with dam views, multiple fishing docks, kayak/canoe rentals and a small sandy swim beach. Well-shaded, family-friendly campsites (many with electric) and short, well-marked...

Based on 99 reviews

Common Concerns

Heavy RV to tent camper ratio may detract from tent camping experience for some.[3]

Based on 99 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring insect repellent for deer flies and mosquitoes (especially at dusk), reserve sites via Wisconsin's GoingToCamp system, expect most sites to offer electricity, and choose weekday stays for a...

Based on 99 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Such a peaceful family campground!"; "The campground is nice, with 2 sets of flushing bathrooms and a shower house as well as pit toilets."

Based on 99 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Council Grounds State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Going To Camp

Provider

Go if

Families who want riverfront access without roughing it: there's a swim beach, multiple fishing piers for smallmouth bass near the dam, electric hookups at most sites, and solid 5G on all major carriers if anyone needs it.

Skip if

Tent campers wanting a quiet, secluded setup will find RVs dominating the loops, sites sitting close together, and summer weekend noise running past the posted quiet hours with enforcement that's hit or miss.

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Campgrounds

Wisconsin State Parks, Wisconsin

Council Grounds State Park

C+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 47% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 87 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Things to do
Grade A-.Belonging
Grade B+.Safety

Watch-outs

Grade D.Rules & policies
Grade C-.Bugs & weather
Grade C-.Staff & hosts

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Wisconsin grades overall

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