Outdoor Group Campground

For those in Wisconsin seeking an expansive and immersive outdoor experience for larger gatherings, the Outdoor Group Campground in Merrillan, nestled within the vast Black River State Forest, offers an unparalleled opportunity. This unique camping area, with its generous layout and rustic charm, provides the perfect setting for group events, family reunions, or simply a spacious base for exploring one of Wisconsin's magnificent state forests. Whether you're planning a scout trip, an adventurous gathering of friends, or a quiet retreat with abundant space, this campground delivers a distinctive outdoor adventure. Our comprehensive guide will delve into what makes this particular group campground an excellent choice for locals across Wisconsin, highlighting its unique characteristics, available amenities, and the immersive natural experiences it facilitates.

The Outdoor Group Campground at Black River State Forest is truly remarkable for its sheer size and versatility. As visitors have noted, it's so vast that it could almost host a county fair, reflecting its former life as a horse camp with ample room for trailers and movement. This expansive layout is a significant advantage for groups, allowing for plenty of space for activities, vehicle parking, and individual privacy even within a collective camping experience. Despite its rustic nature, the campground is well-maintained, featuring clean outhouses and thoughtfully arranged firepits, making setup and enjoyment straightforward.

Beyond the physical attributes, the campground's setting within Black River State Forest means direct access to abundant wildlife. Campers frequently report sightings of deer grazing, sometimes even during the day, offering memorable encounters with Wisconsin's native fauna. The overall quietude and natural immersion contribute to a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for disconnecting and enjoying the raw beauty of the forest. For those comfortable with a more traditional camping experience and seeking ample space for their group, this campground offers a unique and highly satisfying retreat in the heart of Wisconsin's public lands.

The Outdoor Group Campground is located in Merrillan, WI 54754, USA, specifically within the sprawling Black River State Forest. This placement is key to its appeal, as it situates the campground amidst 68,000 acres of pine and oak forest, offering a truly wild and immersive experience in western Wisconsin. The Black River State Forest itself is found in Jackson County, known for its rugged landscape, unique sandstone formations, and diverse ecosystems.

Accessibility to the Outdoor Group Campground is generally straightforward for Wisconsin residents. From Interstate 94, visitors typically take exit 116 onto Highway 54, proceeding east for approximately 7.4 miles, then turning left (north) onto Cemetery Road. After about four miles, when Cemetery Road ends, a right turn onto Old Highway 54 is required, followed by a left onto Campground Road after half a mile. The outdoor group camp will then be on the right after 1.5 miles. While it requires a bit of navigation on unpaved roads, the route is manageable for most vehicles. This location is roughly an hour's drive from Eau Claire and about 1 hour and 20 minutes from La Crosse, making it a convenient option for a wilderness escape for many in the western part of the state. Its setting ensures that while you feel far removed from urban centers, the journey is still within comfortable driving distance for a weekend or longer stay from various Wisconsin communities.

The Outdoor Group Campground within Black River State Forest provides essential services tailored for group camping, emphasizing a rustic yet functional experience.

• Large Group Capacity: The primary service is accommodating large groups, officially allowing up to 30 campers and 12 vehicles, making it ideal for substantial gatherings.
• Vault Toilets: A clean outhouse is provided on-site, offering basic but necessary restroom facilities for campers.
• Firepits: Well-laid-out firepits are available at the site, perfect for campfires, cooking, and gathering.
• Water Access: While the main water supply may be seasonal (as noted by one camper experiencing a shut-off in October), water is generally provided at the campgrounds. Campers may need to verify availability, especially in the shoulder seasons.
• Spacious Layout: The sheer amount of space is a key service, allowing for ample room for multiple tents, vehicles, and recreational activities without feeling crowded.
• Easy In and Out Access: The design of the campground facilitates easy entry and exit, which is particularly beneficial for groups with multiple vehicles.
• Proximity to Showers (Off-site): Although not on-site, campers have the convenient option to use showers at a nearby County Campground (a couple of miles west) for a small fee (25 cents per minute), with a generally waived entrance fee if only showering.
• Firewood Availability: Firewood can typically be purchased on-site or gathered from dead and downed wood within the state forest, adhering to state regulations to prevent the spread of pests.

The Outdoor Group Campground, situated within the expansive Black River State Forest, offers several distinctive features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for outdoor enthusiasts in Wisconsin.

• Enormous Group Campsite: This is arguably its most notable feature. The site is described as "huge," capable of accommodating a large number of campers and vehicles, providing unmatched space for group activities and personal privacy within a collective setting. It used to be a horse camp, which explains its vast layout with pads for horse trailers.
• Abundant Wildlife Viewing: Being deep within a state forest, the campground offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. Deer grazing is a common sight, even during the day, providing memorable encounters with nature. Other wildlife, including bear, turkey, wolves, and elk, can also be found in the larger forest area.
• Rustic Immersion: The campground provides a true rustic camping experience, allowing visitors to feel fully immersed in the natural environment of the forest, away from typical urban distractions.
• Well-Maintained Basic Facilities: Despite its rustic nature, the essential facilities like the outhouse are noted for being clean, and firepits are well-laid out, enhancing the comfort of a primitive setting.
• Access to Black River State Forest Recreation: Campers have direct access to the vast recreational opportunities of the Black River State Forest, including an extensive network of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The forest also offers canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the Black River and its tributaries.
• Proximity to Hatfield and Lake Arbutus: The campground is located close to Hatfield and Lake Arbutus, popular areas within the state forest that offer additional recreational activities and scenic beauty.
• Former Horse Camp Heritage: Its history as a horse camp adds a unique character and hints at the expansive, open nature of the site, making it easy to maneuver for large groups and vehicles.

For inquiries or more specific details regarding the Outdoor Group Campground in Black River State Forest, including reservations and seasonal information, it's best to contact the Black River State Forest directly.

Address: Merrillan, WI 54754, USA (This refers to the general area of the campground within the forest. For more specific directions, contact the park office.)

Black River State Forest Office Phone: (715) 284-4103

Wisconsin DNR Customer Service (Toll-Free): 1-888-936-7463

Reservations for group campsites are typically required and can often be made through the Wisconsin DNR's online reservation system up to 11 months in advance, or by calling their central reservation number. It's advisable to confirm water availability, especially if camping in the shoulder seasons (spring/fall).

For locals throughout Wisconsin, the Outdoor Group Campground in Merrillan, within the expansive Black River State Forest, represents an outstanding choice for a group outdoor adventure. Its sheer size and versatility are unmatched, providing ample space for large gatherings, multiple vehicles, and diverse activities without feeling cramped. This is particularly appealing for Wisconsin residents planning family reunions, scout trips, or large friends' camping excursions, as it offers the capacity and flexibility that smaller campsites simply cannot.

The campground's rustic nature fosters a genuine connection with Wisconsin's wilderness. Opportunities for daily wildlife sightings, particularly deer, enhance the immersive experience. While the amenities are basic, the cleanliness of the outhouses and well-maintained firepits ensure a comfortable stay. The availability of off-site showers at a nearby county campground, with a friendly admission policy, adds a convenient touch of modern comfort to an otherwise rugged experience.

Furthermore, its location within the Black River State Forest means direct access to hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, ATV riding, and cross-country skiing, as well as excellent opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the Black River and surrounding waterways. This makes it an ideal base camp for a wide array of outdoor pursuits that resonate with the active lifestyle of many Wisconsinites. For those who value vast open space, a true wilderness feel, and the ability to gather a large group in a natural setting without traveling far from home, the Outdoor Group Campground in Merrillan is an invaluable resource and a perfect fit for a memorable Wisconsin outdoor escape.

Outdoor Group Campground

Merrillan, WI 54754, USA