Bulger'S Hollow Recreation Area
Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area offers 23 non-reservable campsites, 14 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. Other facilities in the park include a boat ramp, playground, and picnic shelter.
Notifications and Alerts
Attention Campers! Beginning 2024, the Mississippi River Project's new Check-out time will be 12 pm. The new Check-in time will be 2 pm.
Need to Know
The Mississippi River Project’s Thomson Ranger Station has gone to a new way to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area. Bulger's Hollow's open fee dates are May 15th through October 15th.
First, you’ll want to download the Recreation.gov mobile APP to your phone prior to coming to the park, then create an account if you don’t already have one, because some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Second, all campsites are on a First-Come First-Serve basis. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment. Credit Card Only.)
Third, all payments will be completed by the customer using their smartphone (Android and IOS) by scanning a QR Code on the site post using the Recreation.gov mobile APP.
Note: You cannot use Recreation.gov the website, to secure your site; you must use the Recreation.gov mobile APP and be at the campground. The Recreation.gov website, however; will have an information page for Bulger's Hollow and you can learn more about “Scan and Pay” by clicking the link on this information page.
All dogs must be on a 6 foot leash and not allowed to roam freely for the safety of other campers and the pet.
Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. Generators are not allowed during this time.
A maximum of 6 campers are allowed per site as well as 2 vehicles.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Natural Features
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife, boat, fish, and camp. It sits along the Mississippi River, 7.5 miles North of Clinton, IA off Highway 67. You'll have to travel about 1 mile on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it.
Nearby Attractions
- Lock and Dam 13, Fulton, IL
- Eagle Point Park, Clinton, IA
- The Sawmill Museum, Clinton, IA
- Wide River Winery, Clinton, IA
- City of Clinton Showboat
- Clinton Lumberkings Baseball, Clinton, IA
- Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, IA
- Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center, Clinton, IA
- Windmill Culture Center, Fulton, IL
- Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL
Recreation
If you are looking for a few nights of good old fashioned camping, then Bulger’s Hollow Recreation Area is your stop. With 23 non-reservable campsites, 17 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, this park is small in size but offers one of the best views of the Mississippi. This campground offers primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. As a reminder, campers have a 14-day camping limit, within a 30-day period. The camping area is open from May 15-October 15. The boat ramp and day use areas are open year-round. Camping is not the only attraction to the area. Bulger’s Hollow also offers a boat ramp, playground equipment and picnic sites for a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.
Fishing Opportunities: Bulger’s Hollow offers a gravel boat launch for access to Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. A popular launching site for local fishermen, you can easily find a honey hole for an afternoon of fishing. Directly in front of the campground is a field of lily pads that are ideal for fishing. You can also take a short trip up or down river to a find a calm backwater slough for hours of casting.
Changes & Cancellations
As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.
Contact Information
Physical
4686 170th Street Clinton IA 52732
Mailing
PO Box 398 Thomson IL 61285
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 815-259-3628
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
The address to Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is 4686 170th Street, Clinton, IA 52732
From Clinton, IA:
- Take Highway 67 North for 6.5 miles
- Turn right onto 170th Street
- Travel 1 mile and the entrance to Bulger's Hollow will be straight ahead.
Available Campsites
- Site Campsite 14, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 7, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 20, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 12, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 21, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 18, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 23, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 8, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite, Loop Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Campsite 3, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 11, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 19, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 10, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 13, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 1, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 9, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 5, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 17, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 16, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 2, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 22, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 15, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 4, Loop Campground, Type
- Site Campsite 6, Loop Campground, Type
