Merrill – Nature, Trails and Culture

When looking for hotels in Merrill, it’s worth first deciding what you want to do on your trip. Natural areas and trails, local history, arts and crafts, and a long-running county fair each offer a different focus. Trail options also vary in length, activities and connection to a state park.

Natural Areas and Trails in Merrill

Memorial Forest Park is a 1,000-acre wildlife habitat with walking trails. It also includes an 80-acre wetland and biking trails. In addition to its size, the variety of trail types and the wetland offer specific points of interest for a nature visit. Merrill is also an Ice Age Trail Community. If the Ice Age Trail is among your travel interests, Merrill’s connection to the trail is another factor to consider when choosing a destination.

The Merrill Area Recreation Complex has a 2.5-mile trail for walking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; it connects to Council Grounds State Park. River Bend Trail Park offers five miles of paved trails, more than two miles of which run along the Wisconsin River. The trails are suitable for walking, running and biking, as well as for strollers, wheelchairs and pets. Since the trail route at the Merrill Area Recreation Complex may change gradually, check it again before your outing.

For a comparison of the two trail options with stated distances, length is one useful point of reference: River Bend has twice as many miles of trails as the route at the Recreation Complex. River Bend also has paved trails and a section along the Wisconsin River, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also mentioned at the Recreation Complex. You can use these details to choose based on trail length, river access and planned activity.

Local History, Arts and Crafts, and Events

At the Merrill Historical Society and Museum, visitors can learn about Merrill’s unique cultural heritage. The gift shop at the Merrill Enrichment Center offers a different way to experience local culture: it sells unique artwork and handmade crafts by local artists. These two places have different focuses—the museum highlights cultural heritage, while the gift shop features the work of local creatives.

Council Grounds State Park also has a historical connection: its grounds were once used as encampments by Indigenous peoples. This history adds another dimension to the trail route connected to the park for travelers interested in the area’s past.

The Lincoln County Fair is another reason to visit Merrill. For more than 130 years, families and visitors have gathered in Merrill for this fair, where visitors can enjoy local food. If the event is a deciding factor for your trip, check the fair dates in advance.

If you’re looking for hotels in Merrill, you can first narrow down the purpose of your trip based on your interests: nature and outdoor activities, local cultural heritage and arts and crafts, or the Lincoln County Fair.

Discover more destinations: Tomahawk.

Go to the broader travel overview: Lincoln County.