Council Bluff Recreation Area
COUNCIL BLUFF RECREATION AREA
Part of Mark Twain National Forest
Overview
The Council Bluff Recreation Area is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. The Wild Boar Campground and sheltered picnic area, available for individual families or large groups, is next to the largest lake in the Mark Twain National Forest. The area provides ample opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming and more.Facilities
The Wild Boar Ridge Campground offers multiple single-family, large group and walk-in sites, available for tent and RV camping. Each is equipped with tables, lantern posts and campfire rings or campfire circles, with grills.The large group sites can accommodate up to 50 people and a nearby picnic pavilion can hold up to 75. The pavilion is paved, with a roof overhead and is equipped with multiple tables and grills.
Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Electricity is not available, but some sites will accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The beach provides accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers. A small play area with a slide and climbing structure is adjacent to the beach.
Natural Features
Located in southern Missouri, the Council Bluff Lake was created by a dam across Big River. It is 440 acres in size and 87 feet deep in some places.The Chapel Hill Beach is at the eastern end of the campground and provides 54,000 square-feet of sandy beach. Visitors can either walk or drive to the lake.
Recreation
Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, but all boats on the lake must operate at a no-wake speed. Visitors can access the water via the two boat ramps located at the lake.Canoeing, swimming and fishing are also available. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of freshwater fish, including bass bluegills, catfish and crappies.
The 12-mile Council Bluff Trail encircles the lake, with spurs to the campground. Hikers can enjoy scenic views of the lake and a look at the Mark Twain wilderness.
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Council Bluff Lake and the nearby Enough Fields provide upland game opportunities. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the heavily wooded area.
Nearby Attractions
The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.Important Notices
- Drinking water is not available in the campground from Nov. 1 to April 1.
- Additional fees are collected for use of the boat ramp
- Additional fees are charged for parking
- Horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in developed areas
- Click Here for more information on the Mark Twain National Forest
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Available Activities
- SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
- WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
- HUNTING - Hunting
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
Directions
From Potosi, take Highway P south for 10 miles to C Highway junction. Continue on C Highway for less than a mile to DD Highway junction. Turn left on DD Highway and continue for approximately 7 miles to the recreation area entrance.
Contact Information
Phone: (573)766-5765
STATE HWY. DDBelgrade, MO 63622
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 026, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop COUN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B, Loop GRPA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 004, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 028, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop COUN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 003, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 002, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 030, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 008, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 007, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032D, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop CHAP, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop COUN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 005, Loop L1WK, Type Walk To
- Site 037, Loop COUN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A, Loop GRPA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C, Loop GRPA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop L2SG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D, Loop GRPA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop GRPA, Type Standard Nonelectric
