Council Grounds State Park
Located along the beautiful Wisconsin River a short distance northwest of Merrill.
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Council Grounds is an all season park which provides facilities for picknicking, swimming, campground with modern rest rooms, swimming beach, whitewater paddling, playing golf, boating, canoeing, nature study, hiking, off road biking, camping, cross country skiing, shore fishing, waterskiing, shelter house and a physical fitness trail await visitors. Deer hunting is allowed in the fall by special permit only. The park’s deer management unit is 52A.
The 217-foot beach has an expansive sunning area and picnic area. Council Grounds State Park it's always fun to take a look at Rib Mountain State Park, and Merrill Public Golf Club is a brilliant golf course nearby. A boat landing offers access to Lake Alexander plus there are several areas for shore fishing. Prairie River flows through this vicinity, and you can take a little visit to Ward Paper Mill Dam while you're here at Council Grounds State Park.
The forest overhead offers is a thick agglomeration of evergreens that give a North Woods ambience to the campground, though technically the Merrill area lies in what may be called the “tension zone,” an area where tree and plant species of southern Wisconsin and the North Woods meet and mingle.
In addition to Big Pine Nature Trail, hikers will find the 2-mile River Run Trail running through the 21-acre Krueger Pines State Natural Area. Physical fitness buffs enjoy a fitness trail near the Krueger Pines Picnic Area. Strolling a portion of the dam levy makes for a pleasant and scenic evening activity. Bird watchers can observe several active bald eagle and osprey nests in addition to the very fascinating blue heron rookery located at the second island behind the dam. Locals say the rookery is visible from shore at Al's Beach.
Council Grounds State Park Private Campgrounds and Camping Reservations.
Friends of Council Grounds State Park:
The Friends of Council Grounds State Park now rent canoes and sell firewood. Please contact the park, (715) 536-8773, for more information or if you are interested in joining the Friends.
Direction:
Council Grounds State Park in the City of Merrill - Lincoln County (Northeast WI)
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