John Spalding Rec AR

JOHN SPALDING REC AR

Overview

Visitors at John Spalding are in the perfect location for recreation on Mark Twain Lake. The day-use area is the only facility within reach of the sandy public beach. It's also directly connected to the Joanna Trail, a 32-mile multi-purpose trail for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Tour the birthplace of world-famous humorist and writer, Mark Twain and explore the region that inspired his most beloved stories, such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

Facilities

The day-use area is equipped with a swimming beach, showers and picnic shelters. Shelters have electric hookups.

Natural Features

The Salt River of north-central Missouri feeds Mark Twain Lake, the regions largest body of water, spanning 18,000 acres. A variety of recreation areas surround the lake, including the Mark Twain State Park.

Recreation

Swim and enjoy the beach all day, or take a boat out for water skiing and fishing. For hikers and bikers, the lengthy Joanna Trail lines the northern banks of the lake.

Nearby Attractions

Visit Mark Twain's birthplace in Florida, Missouri or his boyhood home in Hannibal.

The David C. Berti Shooting Range is below the dam and M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center is above the dam.

Important Notices

No outside firewood; firewood can be purchased in campground; for more information click here
No alcohol allowed on beach or in lower picnic area
High water boat ramp open when when lake elevation is above 625 msl (mean sea level)
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Available Activities

SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
HIKING - Hiking
CAMPING - Camping
BIKING - Biking

Directions

From Hannibal, MO, travel west on Highway 36 for 17 miles. Turn south on Route J, and travel 6 miles. Turn west on Oakland Drive and travel for 2 miles. <hr />

Contact Information

Phone: 573-735-4097

20642 HIGHWAY J
MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!