Home › Missouri › Council Bluff Recreation Area
Council Bluff Recreation Area
FSU.S. Forest Service — Belgrade · Missouri · Mark Twain National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Mark Twain National Forest |
| Location | Belgrade · Missouri · Mark Twain National Forest · 37.70833, -90.94167 · Map |
| Sites | 42 public sites counted from the federal listing — 28 standard nonelectric; 9 walk to; 4 group standard nonelectric; 1 group shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 42 sites Water hookups at 0 of 42 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 42 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 42 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 40 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 38 sites · 30 ft: 38 sites · 35 ft: 5 sites · 40 ft: 5 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Group site rates: $50 - $100 |
| Check-in / out | In 3:00 PM · Out 2:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 42 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Water spigots |
| Phone | (573)766-5765 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-05-22.
From the official listing
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. 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. 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. Nearby Attractions The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
14 mi straight-line · Viburnum MissouriFSU.S. Forest ServiceSutton Bluff Recreation Area
16 mi straight-line · Salem MissouriUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHighway K
28 mi straight-line · ANNAPOLIS MissouriFSU.S. Forest ServiceLoggers Lake Campground
29 mi straight-line · Bunker MissouriFSU.S. Forest ServiceSilver Mines
30 mi straight-line · Missouri
Trip Card — Council Bluff Recreation Area
Belgrade · Missouri · Mark Twain National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgrade · Missouri · Mark Twain National Forest |
| Fees | Group site rates: $50 - $100 |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 40 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 42 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232325 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.