Merrick State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 60 campsites
- Official site
- dnr.wisconsin.gov(608) 687-4936
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Merrick State Park is a 289-acre park in Buffalo County, about 9 miles northwest of Winona.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails. Overnight options include 60 campsites across 3 camping areas, with tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
| Daily | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. The park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times and under control; loose pets may be seized. Property-specific pet areas/restrictions appear on park pages.
Statewide rule from Wisconsin's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, resident vs nonresident pricing: a vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas (daily $13 WI / $16 out-of-state; annual $28 / $50; rates effective Aug. 19, 2025). State trails use a per-person trail pass for certain uses. Heritage Hill SP charges a per-person admission instead.
Statewide fee rule from Wisconsin's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Wisconsin park passes
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (Wisconsin plates) — $28. All Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas for 12 months Details
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (out-of-state plates) — $50. Same, nonresident vehicles Details
- 12-month pass, Wisconsin residents 65+ — $13. Resident senior vehicles Details
- 12-month reduced-rate pass (additional household vehicle) — $15.50 resident / $32.50 nonresident. Additional vehicles at the same household address; bought with a full-price pass Details
- Daily vehicle admission pass — $13 resident / $3 resident 65+ / $16 nonresident Details
From the Wisconsin state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Wisconsin State Park System reservations (Camis 'Going to Camp')
- Phone
- 1-888-947-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| North campground The north campground has a flush toilet shower building. There are 25 sites, 22 with electrical hookups. Site #6 is accessible for people with disabilities. | 25 | Electric (some sites)Showers | — |
| South campground The south campground has 35 campsites, including 28 waterfront sites on Fountain City Bay. In years the Mississippi River floods, the south campground is closed until the water recedes and the campground dries out. The north campground shower building can be used by campers from the south campground. | 35 | Showers | — |
| Island campground There are five family walk-in tent campsites and a group tent site on an island, connected to the mainland by road. The island also has a log shelter, boat and canoe launches, picnic area, pit toilets and drinking water. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
There are 65 individual campsites in three campgrounds and a 50-person group tents-only campsite at Merrick State Park. Large rocks have been set along the shore to halt erosion and protect campsites. Do not move these rocks. Registered campers may moor boats overnight at each campground. There are dumpsters, a recycling station and a trailer dump station near the contact station at the park entrance. North campground: The north campground has a flush toilet shower building. There are 25 sites, 22 with electrical hookups. Site #6 is accessible for people with disabilities. South campground: The south campground has 35 campsites, including 28 waterfront sites on Fountain City Bay. In years the Mississippi River floods, the south campground is closed until the water recedes and the campground dries out. The north campground shower building can be used by campers from the south campground. Island campground: There are five family walk-in tent campsites and a group tent site on an island, connected to the mainland by road. The island also has a log shelter, boat and canoe launches, picnic area, pit toilets and drinking water. Firewood: Firewood is available for sale at Merrick State Park. Firewood may be purchased at the contact station, the park office or in the north campground at campsite #11. Don't move firewood!
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingFishingHikingHuntingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: There are two miles of hiking trails at the park. The trails meander along the length of the park and offer hikers a variety of river views and access to the park's secluded areas. Hiking trails wind for two miles through the park, connecting most areas. Visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences including prairies, wetlands and the hardwood forest flood plain in the lower sections of the park. The trails offer a relatively easy hiking experience appropriate to most age groups.
Boating and paddling
Merrick State Park offers two boat landings that can accommodate most motorized launches. There are large parking lots available at both landings. A canoe launch adjacent to the lower boat landing affords easy access for canoeists and kayakers. The adjacent quiet river backwater sloughs offer an excellent opportunity to those visitors seeking a silent-sport water experience. Enjoy the sun, wildlife and wilderness of the river backwaters five minutes from the landing. There is a universal kayak launch which features an accessible route of travel, a transfer bench, handrails, and rollers to help glide the vessel into the water. There is also an adaptive kayak available through the rental program. Canoe trail A self-guided canoe trail starts and ends near the lower boat landing. Follow the canoe trail markers. Parts of the trail meander through shallow water. In some areas, canoes and boats share the water. Rental canoes are available for you every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Contact park staff for availability at other times.
Fishing
The Mississippi River is alive with large and smallmouth bass, bluegills, crappies and other species. Fishing licenses apply. Anglers of any age may check out basic fishing equipment free of charge at the park office. This equipment was donated by the Tackle Loaner Program. Call the park office to find out what equipment is available.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Merrick State Park offers accessible opportunities including an accessible campsite, a boat launch with accessible boarding piers, and a universal kayak launch. Also, the park has an adaptive kayak available through its rental program. Call the property for more information on the adaptive kayak.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- S2965 State Rd 35
Fountain City, WI 54629 - Nearest town
- Winona — about 9 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.1582, -91.7596
- Phone
- (608) 687-4936
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Go about 2.8 miles north from Fountain City or 5.5 miles south from Cochrane on State Highway 35. The park entrance is on the west side of the highway. • Get directions
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Wisconsin State Park System — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Wisconsin DNR 'Find a Park' directory (server-rendered Drupal view, ?page=0..5), filtered to /topic/parks/ property pages
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Great River Road - Reflections at Merrick State Park - NARA - 7718869.jpg — Public domain (US federal government work), S. Clyde
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology