CampgroundsDB

Merrill Lake Campground

Its 9 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping costs No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass). Merrill Lake Campground is a State Forest campground near Cougar, Washington.

Closed First-come, first-served

State Forest · Cougar, Washington

Managed by
State Forest

Getting a site

Managed by
State Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass)
Entrance fee
Discover Pass: $10/day or $45/year per vehicle

Sources: dnr.wa.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; discoverpass.wa.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
9
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed

On site: Toilets, fire rings, and pets allowed.

Source: gis.dnr.wa.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Quiet hours
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Pets
Allowed
Campground host
On site

Source: dnr.wa.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
1,571 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.5 mi away
Verizon
No coverage mapped
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

46.0949, -122.3198 in Cowlitz. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Current conditions

Closed Agency notice, as of 2026-09-29: Update as of June 2026 - The Merrill Lake Day Use Area and Campground remain closed due to storm damage. Repair work is expected to begin later this summer. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Merrill Lake Campground?
No. Merrill Lake Campground is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Merrill Lake Campground?
Camping at Merrill Lake Campground costs No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass).
Is there a separate entrance fee at Merrill Lake Campground?
Yes. The entrance fee is Discover Pass: $10/day or $45/year per vehicle, on top of the No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass) camping fee.
How many campsites does Merrill Lake Campground have?
Merrill Lake Campground has 9 campsites.
Are dogs allowed at Merrill Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Merrill Lake Campground.
When is Merrill Lake Campground open?
As of 2026-09-29: Update as of June 2026 - The Merrill Lake Day Use Area and Campground remain closed due to storm damage. Repair work is expected to begin later this summer. Updates will be posted as they become available.
Is there cell service at Merrill Lake Campground?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but AT&T shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away and T-Mobile shows 4G LTE about 0.5 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Merrill Lake Campground itself, and nothing from Verizon within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.
Is there a campground host at Merrill Lake Campground?
Yes, Merrill Lake Campground has a campground host on site.
Who manages Merrill Lake Campground?
Merrill Lake Campground is managed by the state forestry agency.

Around Merrill Lake Campground

fishypedia.com · 4.9 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Swift Power Canal, whose mapped center point is 4.9 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Swift Power Canal fishing on fishypedia.com.

Reservable Cougar Park and Campground Cougar · Other Agency Season Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day Fee $32/night; group camp $480 (15 tent sites, 120 people); $8 booking fee Reservable Kalama Horse Camp Cougar · National Forest Season May to November Fee Single site: $23 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night Reservable Beaver Bay Park and Campground Cougar · Other Agency Season Friday before Memorial Day to September 30 Fee $37/night (5 people, 1 vehicle); group camp $555 (14 sites, 112 people); $8 booking fee Reservable Cresap Bay Park and Campground Amboy · Other Agency Season Friday before Memorial Day to September 30 Fee $37/night (5 people, 1 vehicle); group camp $555 (15 sites, 120 people); $8 booking fee

More campgrounds: camping near Cougar and campgrounds in Cowlitz.

Sources

First-come, first-served No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass)
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