Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

Great recreational area along the Illinois Bayou. The river is gorgeous and made us with we had brought a few poles! We camped at a pull off spot so there were no amenities bur we made sure to practice NTLB!

The notice that says that it is closed for the season is incorrect.  The upper loop is closed, but not the sites with the stone buildings.  In fact, going to the website, there is a statement that it is free camping right now.  Be sure to check the website, as this is subject to change.  The stone buildings are so nice to set up somewhat out of the weather and have functional fireplaces.  The walk to the river is very easy.  There are no hookups (water or electricity) so it is primitive camping.  There is no cell service on ATT - it showed only "SOS" but the town of Hector is nearby if you need to check your phone in a pinch.  I have a WeBoost and that still would not get a signal.  This site is easily accessed via the paved highway, passenger vehicles can easily access it.  It's quite an unique area to describe.  It's not really well suited for big RV's but wouldn't be impossible.  I went in January so there was only one other camper.  It looked like they were hammock tenting inside one of the structures.  It would be a great base camp for overlanding the Ozarks.

The Bayou Bluff Recreation Area is now called the Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI). In summary, there are only 4 campsites, including a group site. Also, these sites are free, first come, first serve. Here's is info directly from the Bayou Bluff  page on the National Forst Service Web site: "Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The pavilions are managed on a first-come, first-service basis. Trash services are managed by visitors as "pack-it-in, pack-it-out," and Leave No Trace ethics are posted on information kiosks. Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of the current amenities, excluding trash services." Also: "Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out." The NF page also indicates that there is no water available, but there may water in the group site. The vault toilets are clean, and the campground grounds appear to be reasonably maintained. I recommend only tent camping here, as well as car/truck/van camping. Sites appear to be too small for RVs & trailers.

We very much enjoyed our time spent at bayou bluff. It has fire pits, tables, covered sites, trash cans and bathrooms. Not to mention, alot to explore!!!

This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement. This campground has no water or electricity but has 4 drive-up campsites with picnic tables, fire circle, and rock shelters that overlook the beautiful Illinois Bayou. I only recall seeing trash receptacles on the lower loop.  An upper loop is accessible by hiking in. These are tent sites only with no rock shelters on the sites. The rock shelters have a large rock fire area.  There's also a vault toilet on the lower loop. A pavilion onsite is reservable and has electricity. There's also several small trails through the campground but it's most fun when the water is low enough, to go down to the water and walk along the creek. The area is close to many great hiking trails and dirt roads to explore around Hector and makes a great home base. Just up the road is a great area to explore with Jeeps or ATVs. Look up Lindsey Mtwy. This area is not on many people's radar so it's possible that you may only see a local or two while you're here. I still had cell service with my Verizon network while I was in the campground but I lost service when I went down by the Illinois Bayou.  Overall, this is a heck of a nice campground for the non-electric camper. If you visit the area, please leave no trace. :-)

I was just passing through, but this is a small campsite just off a main road. There is trail access to some scenic areas right around you, and some interesting stone structures which I haven’t encountered before at a campsite, so that’s cool. Look like they’d be good for cooking if you brought the right equipment.

Favorite campsite in the spring. Beautiful bluffs take you right down to the water. Stone pavilions with fireplaces for cold weather camping. Best kept secret.

There aren't many spots in this area. All sites are pretty shaded all day. Swimming is a small but slightly difficult walk down a steep Rocky path. It's rarely crowded which is why we like it.

Could hear the river - right near the campsite. Close to Trail heads - had an awesome covered, but open walls, rock building with a really cool fireplace.

I grew up camping here several times a year. There is a creek to swim or fish in, there are personal pavilions and a larger pavilion for big groups. There is a hiking trail directly from the camp ground. Down the road you can bushwack to Penhook falls. Plenty of privacy on the 2 end sites. There are 3 sites total, no reservations. But you never have trouble getting a spot unless it's a holiday weekend.