Merrill

In Merrill, discoveries range from a large wildlife habitat with walking trails to paved routes along the Wisconsin River. There is also a museum dedicated to local cultural history, regional arts and crafts, and the long-running Lincoln County Fair. Which of these sides of Merrill interests you most may also shape your choice of a vacation rental or vacation home in town.

Nature and trails in different forms

Memorial Forest Park is a 1,000-acre wildlife habitat with walking trails. The park also includes an 80-acre wetland, and bicycle trails add to what it offers. If you want to combine nature and activity during your stay, you’ll find different types of trails here within an extensive protected natural area. Walking and biking are the activities specifically mentioned, so you can plan a visit to the park as a day outdoors in its own right.

Walking, running, and biking are the focus at River Bend Trail Park. The park has five miles of paved trails, more than two miles of which run along the Wisconsin River. This provides a clear guide for choosing a route: you can go by the total length of the trails or focus on the sections along the river. The park is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and pets. This is a helpful feature of River Bend Trail Park for families or travel groups considering these criteria for a shared outing.

Another option is the Merrill Area Recreation Complex, which has a 2.5-mile trail for walking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail connects to Council Grounds State Park. The listed activities include both walking and biking as well as winter sports. Merrill is also an Ice Age Trail Community. This designation adds to the town’s many connections to hiking without suggesting that the individual trails are all the same.

Cultural history and arts and crafts

At the Merrill Historical Society and Museum, visitors can learn about Merrill’s unique cultural heritage. A museum visit offers a different focus from time spent on the trails: the emphasis is on the town’s history rather than nature and activity. If you want to include a range of interests in your stay, you can plan for both themes without combining them into a single program.

The Merrill Enrichment Center also offers a glimpse of local arts and crafts: its gift shop sells unique artwork and handmade items by local artists and craftspeople. The pieces are made by regional artists and craftspeople, making this a different kind of experience from spending time in parks and on trails. For visitors who want to explore art and crafts as well as go on outings, the shop is a destination in its own right.

The history of Council Grounds State Park includes a previous use of the site: it was once home to Indigenous encampments. This historical context complements the park’s present-day role as a connection point for the trail from the Merrill Area Recreation Complex. The site’s former use and its current trail connection are different aspects of the same place.

Fair tradition and local food

For more than 130 years, families and visitors have gathered in Merrill for the Lincoln County Fair. Its long tradition makes the fair a distinctive part of local community life. Visitors can enjoy local food there. Those interested in regional food culture have an additional reason to consider the fair; it complements the nature and culture themes with a tradition of community events.

What to consider when choosing accommodation

If paved trails and stretches along the Wisconsin River are a priority, River Bend Trail Park provides a clear guide. The 2.5-mile trail at the Merrill Area Recreation Complex is relevant if you’re looking for several types of activity, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The museum, arts and crafts, and fair tradition appeal to different interests. These highlights can help you choose Merrill based on your travel interests without letting any one topic define the town completely.

Another nearby place to explore is Tomahawk.

For the broader travel overview: Lincoln County.