Merrill Campground

Lassen Cougar Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 1771
SUSANVILLE, CA 96130

Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algae Blooms may be present in lakes, streams and rivers on the Lassen National Forest and surrounding areas. For resources, safety tips, frequently asked questions, local bloom reports and to report possible blooms, visit the State of California Harmful Algal Blooms Portal.

Current recreation sites reported: Parts of Eagle Lake. In previous years, detections have typically been concentrated in the northern basin, but right now the map is showing a large area of detection in the southern basin.

Sign indicating Cautioin is needed because of the reported presence of harmful algae. Caution items listed are also in description.• Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody. Clean fish with fresh water or bottled water and throw out organs. — Caution sign. Harmful Algae may be present.
*(CA Water Authority)*

California Water Boards’ satellite map can detect the presence of cyanobacteria in waterbodies. Open the map and you will see a heat map showing the presence of cyanobacteria, with red indicating a high presence and black indicating no detection.

HAB satellite map: https://fhab.sfei.org/?w=51&d=20261101&p=cyano&c=7daymax

Eagle Lake - Merrill Campground

Latitude: 40.553 Longitude: -120.81
County: Lassen Regional Water Board (Region 6 – Lahontan)
Report ID: 3312
Report Updated On: 10/7/2026
Current Advisory: Caution
Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Report Details: Advisory based on presence of harmful algal bloom and water testing that detected cyanotoxins.
The exact location, extent and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate and may not be affecting the entire waterbody.

Eagle Lake - Christie Day Use

Latitude: 40.564 Longitude: -120.83
County: Lassen Regional Water Board (Region 6 – Lahontan)
Report ID: 4222
Report Updated On: 10/7/2026
Current Advisory: Caution
Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Report Details: Advisory based on presence of harmful algal bloom and water testing that detected cyanotoxins.
The exact location, extent and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate and may not be affecting the entire waterbody.

Overview

Merrill Campground is located in the Eagle Lake Recreation Area of the Lassen National Forest. This recreation area has five campgrounds, three designated day use areas and a marina on the south shore of Eagle Lake. All of these recreation facilities are connected by a 5.2 mile paved hiking/bike trail. The Osprey Overlook, another day use area in the recreation area, can be hiked or driven to for a scenic view of the southern end of Eagle Lake and the surrounding forest basin.

The Lassen National Forest offers a variety of lakes, streams and wilderness areas for recreational opportunities. The forest offers miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle riding and in the winter months, snowmobiling.

Recreation

Fishing for the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, a California Heritage Trout, is the primary recreational activity on Eagle Lake, but the 3rd largest natural lake in California (22,000 acres), provides for plenty of room for swimming, kayaking, skiing and all other boating activities by motor or sail. There are no 2-cycle restrictions for outboard boat motors or PWCs.

Facilities

Merrill Campground is a unique US Forest Service facility. Totally rebuilt in the early 2000s, it is the prototypical RV park in a Forest Service campground. With 57 full hook-up sites, 64 partial hook-up sites and 51 standard, no hook-up sites, Merrill offers whatever type of site you prefer. Partial hook-up sites have water and electric, no sewer. All electric hook-up sites have a 50, a 30 and two 20 amp outlets provided.

All site camping/parking spurs are at least 45 feet, but most are 55 to 75 feet in length, and are essentially double wide. Each site is equipped with a table and a campfire ring with grill. The campground has flush toilets, potable water points, grey water dumps, limited WIFI and firewood is available for purchase. An RV Dump Station Facility is conveniently located just outside the campground with a $5 dump fee.

Forty-five sites, #15-#42 and #57-#75, are designated walk-in sites, the other 125 are reservation sites.

The paved bike path runs through the campground. The Eagle Lake Marina store with gas, propane, fishing and camping supplies, shower and laundry facilities and boat launch are located 2.5 miles from the campground.

Natural Features

Eagle Lake is located where the Sierras meet the Cascades at the southwestern end of the lake, and the Modoc Plateau of the Great Basin at the northeastern end. This unique location offers diverse landscapes, geology, wildlife and vegetation.

Merrill Campground is located in a mature conifer forest of pines and firs on the southern shoreline of Eagle Lake, at an elevation of 5,100 feet.

Nearby Attractions

The Lassen National Forest has many other recreational opportunities and the Lassen Volcanic National Park is an easy day’s drive to and from Eagle Lake Recreational Area.

Camp site features

Across 168 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 117 of 168 sites
Water hookups: 117 of 168 sites
Sewer hookups: 54 of 168 sites
Fire pit: all 168 sites
Picnic table: all 168 sites
Pets allowed: all 168 sites
ADA accessible: 8 of 168 sites
Group sites: 2 of 168 sites
Longest RV: 178 ft
Largest party: 16 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 0.1 mi

Directions

From Susanville, California, take Highway 36 west for 2 miles to County Road A-1. Turn north and continue 14 miles to the Eagle Lake Recreation Area. Continue past Gallatin Road, the first highway you will come to in the lake basin, and follow the signs to Merrill Campground. Located on County Road A-1.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

492 reviews

5 stars

365

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1 stars

Robert F

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Reviewed a month ago

Beautiful campground, large well spaced and level RV sites. Clean restrooms, Camp host was friendly and helpful. I would stay here again and again.

Donald T

Loop:Merrill Campground

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Reviewed 2 months ago

Great site. Met some very nice campers and fishermen. Difficult to get to but well worth the drive. We can say we noticed Prius and Teslas at the site and both drivers advise against driving city cars to the campground.

Mike S

Loop:Merrill Campground

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Reviewed 2 months ago

We love it here friendly staff clean restrooms. We’ve been coming here for a long time.

Clinton W

Loop:Merrill Campground

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Reviewed 2 months ago

It was beautiful location. Good electricity and water, but wish the bathroom had soap and a hand dryer.

Anita S

Loop:Merrill Campground