the merrimac ferry

The Merrimac Ferry is a nice, diversion for family, friends, couples, pets.... The ferry crosses Lake Wisconsin off of Hwy 78 in Merrimac, WI, as a continuation of Hwy 113. The lake crossing is FREE, and the ferry holds 15 cars (or a like combination of cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc) with a walking ramp for pedestrians and their pets or strollers. It's a 7 min ride across the lake, leading to Lodi, Wisconsin (SE) or Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin (SW). It's also a dandy shortcut to take if you're headed for Madison! Area famous ice cream is available while you wait on the Merrimac side of the lake. Also cookies, pop, and other snacks. Rest rooms available on either side of the crossing.Drive onto the ferry when the light turns green. Shut off your car and hop out on "deck" to get the best view of the water. The Merrimac Ferry runs 24/7, closing late November until the ice melts off the lake.

If you are within 20 miles of the ferry, make the trip! I've been riding the ferry for over 50 years, and enjoy the trip every time. FREE! Word of warning..weekends are busy..go before 10am. But even if you have to wait, there's plenty of scenery and ice cream on the Merrimac side!

This has been a favorite Wisconsin experience of mine for almost 50 years. It is a bit out of the way but that is the whole idea! So, get off the interstate and swing over to tiny Merrimac on the shores of the Wisconsin River for a little adventure. This is a side trip that is well worth the extra effort.Do it while you can because who knows how long this impractical way of getting from Point A to Point B will remain financially viable. Darn the budget cuts and the interstate.

I loved the whole experience. Great little adventure. There was Ice cream on one side of the fairy. The loading and unloading was easy and well organized.

I live in South Central Wisconsin and make a point of riding the ferry at least once every year. It's a short but beautiful ride and it's free! You can stay in your car but to truly enjoy it you need to be out at the deck rail with the water and the breeze. My 7 year old grandson loved it and I plan to make him part of the yearly tradition!

Returning from the Dells, we took the "scenic route" and went to Devil's Lake (which was a great place to visit). Driving home from there took us to Merrimac and a ride on the ferry. I had no idea this thing even existed until the road ended at the lake and there we sat waiting for the ferry to come. It did not take long and before we knew it, we drove right onto the ferry and then were able to get out of the car and watch as we crossed. The entire trip was probably like 5 minutes or so, but it was so unique and the kids loved it. For anyone traveling on I-94 going west past Madison, the diversion to see this is completely worth it and will not take that much longer than just staying on 94, droning along.

And it's free ...what more can I say. Great view of the lake, park at the wayside park & ride over & back!

I don't know why but this was a lot of fun! The ferry runs 24 hours per day, 7 days per week between April - November. On the Madison side of the ferry the ice cream shop is no longer open and is for sale. On the other side they have a nice looking ice cream stand but it was closed when we were there. It takes about 7 minutes to get across and the ferry runs very smoothly. When we arrived we had to wait for the ferry to male two complete trips before we could get on but the time went quickly. The ferry is free which is nice and the view is beautiful. I would recommend this to someone looking for something different and fun to do.

Took the kids on this when passing through. Free. We only had a short wait. The ice cream stand stayed busy and looked tasty. Enjoyed this unique experience. Great side trip if passing this way.

We took our twelve year old son and 14 year old daughter and they thought it was pretty fun. Not a world changing event but something you can't do anywhere else. We came back and rode several times on foot at sunset.

This a free ferry that crosses the Wisconsin River at Merrimac. Historic and fun. There can be a long wait but We drove up right onto the boat, 7 minutes later we were across and on our way.

That says it all! great shortcut to Devils Lake. Runs constantly, FREE and quick. We were across in a matter of 5-7 minutes and off to the park.

This was a great experience for the 9 year old twins. There can be a wait especially during the summer. The concession stand at the bottom of the hill has several things to choose from including ice cream so my boys were fine with the wait.

a beautiful drive and a fun ride do not miss this bit of history!!! In the summer there maybe an hour wait to get on the ferry but have an ice cream cone from the little ice cream stand while you wait!

This is the last FREE Ferry in WI. The Ferry holds about 20 vehicles. The trip takes less than fifteen minutes. A safe scenic trip.Last week-end when I was in the area, I did this trip again.