Lake Merrill- State Forest campground
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Lake Merrill- State Forest
Reservations are not accepted at Lake Merrill- State Forest camping area, making it a first-come, first-served campground. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a spot, especially during peak season. The best time to visit the camping area is during the summer months when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities.
Camping enthusiasts will find several points of interest in the area. Lake Merrill itself offers excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for trout. Hiking trails surround the lake, providing scenic views of the forested surroundings. It is important to exercise caution while camping in the area, as there have been reported encounters with black bears. Proper food storage and following bear safety protocols are crucial to ensure a safe camping experience. Overall, Lake Merrill- State Forest camping area offers a beautiful natural setting for campers to enjoy outdoor activities and appreciate the tranquility of the Washington wilderness.
What's on-site at Lake Merrill- State Forest
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Lake Merrill- State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-A | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| 2-B | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Beaver Bay | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Swift Forest Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Dome Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Lake Merrill- State Forest -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Speelyai Creek Near Cougar | 33 cfs | → |
| Canyon Creek Near Amboy | 191 cfs | → |
| Lewis River At Ariel | 2,570 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Below Clear Creek Near Cougar | 264 cfs | → |
| Lewis River Above Muddy River Near Cougar | 492 cfs | → |
| East Fork Lewis River Near Heisson | 223 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Lake Merrill- State Forest -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Sheep Canyon | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Sheep Canyon | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Swift Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Swift Creek | 5.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc June Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| June Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Beaver Bay Park
- Siouxon County Park
- Amboy Park
- Cedar Creek State Wildlife Management Area
- Town Well Park
- Yacolt Town Park
Boat launches
- Forest Road 81 Cowlitz County
- Frasier Road 499, Ariel
- Yale Bridge Road Clark County
- Woodland Park Road Cowlitz County
- Coldwater Lake Picnic And Boating Site
- Spirit Lake Highway Cowlitz County
Points of interest
- Loowit Viewpoint
- Castle Lake Viewpoint Observation Site
- Forest Road 90
- Harmony Falls Viewpoint
- Observation Site: Mcclellan
- Huckleberry Access
Paddle runs
- Nw1/4 Of Sec 9, T5n, R6e To Ne1/4 Of Sec 6, T5n, R5e
- Headwaters In Sw1/4 Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- (Upper Muddy Segment) Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 10, T8n, R5e To Conflence With Smith Creek
- (Smith Creek Segment) Headwaters In Se 1/4 Of Sec 3, T8n, R5e To Confluence With Muddy River
- Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Maximum Pool Of Swift Reservoir In Nw1/4 Of Sec 35, T7n, R6e
- Confluence With Smith Creek To Confluence With Lewis River
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Lake Merrill- State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Lake Merrill- State Forest
Can I make reservations at Lake Merrill- State Forest?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Lake Merrill- State Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Lake Merrill- State Forest.