The English Pale Campground and Resort

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The English Pale Campground and Resort Rustic 21+ Campground, Event location & Rental House on the Black River, Town of Melrose, Jackson County The choice is yours,

Welcome, mates.

The English Pale was a strip of land in Ireland, centered on the City of Dublin and became the base of English rule in Ireland during the Medieval Ages. By the late 15th century, the area known as “The Pale” became the only part of Ireland that remained under the control of the English. The word pale, meaning a fence, is derived from Latin, meaning "stake", specifically a stake used to support a fence. The defenses of the Pale, in Ireland, included a ditch with thorn bushes and a Pale (fence). The English Crown (king) attempted to assert its authority over the settlers, offered English Lords and knights money to move and construct “Tower Houses” in Ireland. The Crown also forbid intermarriage between English settlers and Irish natives. It also outlawed the English subjects from using and speaking the Irish language and adopting Irish modes of dress or other customs. The Anglo-Norman settlers adopted Irish traits so strongly that the term, "More Irish than the Irish themselves" became a saying to describe this unlawful behavior. The phrase “Beyond (or outside) the pale”, describes something outside the boundary, or in other words, to be uncivilized or outside the bounds of morality, acceptable behavior or good judgment, etc. If you are “Within the pale," it would be just the opposite. So here we are, after serving “the authority” for 39+ years we packed our things and moved to a piece of boundary land on the Black River near Melrose, in Jackson County, Wisconsin. We reside in the Manor which also hosts our Irish Pub and we became "More Irish than the Irish themselves". For our traveling guests, we have 21 camping spots near the Manor, on the hill, and another 4 rustic camping spots along the river. We are a licensed establishment (alcohol sales) so all guests to any part of the property must be 21 years and older (Government ID required). Come visit the boundaries of the Pale and see if you become “More Irish than the Irish themselves” and are you “Beyond the pale” or “Within the pale”?

Our 2027 Wedding Ad is now available.
10/08/2026

Our 2027 Wedding Ad is now available.

That’s it Folks…. Closed for the season! I plan to open up again about May 15, 2027 and reservations can be made 6 month...
09/28/2026

That’s it Folks…. Closed for the season! I plan to open up again about May 15, 2027 and reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Weather permitting, there will be 6 rustic river sites, and 4 of them will have limited vehicle access. Five more rustic sites up top, will be available for larger camping units. That brings our camping site total to Eleven! See you next year.

Because of rain delays and design issues the Erosion Wall completion was final on Wednesday September 23, 2026 when the ...
09/28/2026

Because of rain delays and design issues the Erosion Wall completion was final on Wednesday September 23, 2026 when the area was raked and seeded. Took weeks longer than expected. The property will now be manicured by me, finishing it off to be available for camping in Spring 2027.

Ten years ago on August 31, 2016 Michelle and I purchased the Melrose property. We planned our retire job on building th...
09/05/2026

Ten years ago on August 31, 2016 Michelle and I purchased the Melrose property. We planned our retire job on building the campground, a Bed & Breakfast along with a bar. Plans were started and put to paper. Then in 2021 she died, the same year we planned to start formal construction. Five years later, I have made some progress and think she would be impressed. It is clear to me that more would have been accomplished had she still been here. Time certainly marches on.

Day Six - Wednesday August 26, 2026, Due to rain a bit if a slow day.
08/27/2026

Day Six - Wednesday August 26, 2026, Due to rain a bit if a slow day.

Day Five: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
08/25/2026

Day Five: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Day Four - Monday, August 24, 2026
08/24/2026

Day Four - Monday, August 24, 2026

Day Three - Friday, August 21, 2026 and construction is just starting to fix the area around campsite R5/R6 (closest to ...
08/21/2026

Day Three - Friday, August 21, 2026 and construction is just starting to fix the area around campsite R5/R6 (closest to STH -54) and R3.

Day Two of adding rock to the wall.
08/21/2026

Day Two of adding rock to the wall.

And the process has started! We were given a conservative estimate of 100k, for repairs. Between the County and I we are...
08/19/2026

And the process has started! We were given a conservative estimate of 100k, for repairs. Between the County and I we are hoping to come in way under budget. One way of doing that is utilizing existing land dirt as fill and not have ti haul in extra. The estimate for fill was over 40k alone. Day ONE is complete!

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Melrose, WI

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