Backcountry Primitive Campsite next to a water source with a fire ring. All garbage must be carried out

Big River Primitive Campground

## 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.

Council Bluff Recreation Area

Telleck Branch Primitive Campground

Backcountry Primitive Campsite next to a water source with a fire ring. All garbage must be carried out.

Panther Branch Primitive Campground

Peter Cave Hollow Creek

Backcountry Primitive Campsite next to a water source with a fire ring

Ottery Creek Primitive Campground

This 9,143 acre wilderness is part of the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in North America. The wilderness is named for a family that once lived and farmed along the ridge top that is now known as Bell Mountain. Elevations range from 1,702 feet at Bell Mountain to 970 feet in the Joe's Creek drainage. Local relief is about 600 feet and is characterized by steep felsite and rhyolite outcroppings. Both Bell Mountain and Lindsey Mountain offer outstanding views of the surrounding area. The associated granite glades provide a variety of interesting plant and animal life.

Shut-in Creek crosses the area. It is a perennial spring fed stream with several shut-ins or gorges along its course. Steep talus slopes intersect the stream at several locations. Joe's Creek is another small perennial stream within the wilderness.

Restrictions: Foot and Horse only,  no motorized or mechanized transportation.  No camping within 100’ or trails, water, or other occupied campsites.
Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material.

Other Activities: Backpacking, bird watching, and primitive camping.

Bell Mountain Wilderness Area

Many people enjoy the solitude and peaceful experience of camping away from large groups of people. Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!

Picking a Campsite

If you are going to an area where others have camped, pick a site that's been used before. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines:

Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass.
Camp 100 feet away from any water source - plants near water and water sources are fragile.
Camp 100 feet away from any administrative site (Trails, Recreational Areas and/or Building).
Campfires

Many wildfires are caused by human activity, including escaped fires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed UNLESS there are fire restrictions in effect-know before you go!

Use camp stoves when possible
Use existing fire rings if they exist; NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED.  
When ashes are COLD and DEAD OUT, scatter outside of the campsite before you leave.
If you don't bring wood, collect only dead/downed wood. Please never cut any live trees.

FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

Padfield Branch Primitive Campground

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Pine Valley at Dillard Mill is nestled on 40 private acres in the heart of the Ozarks. It is your gateway to the Mark Twain National Forest and Historic Dillard Mill. We offer indoor lodging, glamping, and (primitive camping sites under construction). Swim the crystal clear waters of the Huzzah Creek, hike the Mark Twain National Forest, fish our private pond, and picnic on the banks of beautiful Dillard Mill. Currently renting a Cottage and two ‘silver bullet’ RV’s, complete with comfy bed, including linens and towels, AC, Heat, hot & cold potable water, showers, flushing toilets, fully equipped kitchens, outdoor grills, fire rings, free firewood - everything to make it a wonderful glamping experience. Check our website for more info DillardMill.com



Pine Valley at Dillard Mill 

State Park

Easy to find. Clean crisp water from the river at its origin. Quiet and perfect. 

Clean water, peaceful surroundings 

OZARK TRAIL: I backpacked 50 miles during spring break on the Ozark Trail between Council Bluff Lake and Johnson Shutins State park. When I planned the trip the only information for camping that was available were regulations requiring you to camp 100 feet from the trail.

I have to admit that the Ozark Trail Association provides amazing resources about the Ozark Trail but they fail to describe what has become primitive backcountry campsites all along the trail. Many of these sites are marked on the detailed National Geographic maps provided for free by the Association as water holes, but they are also clearly set up as campsites as well.

Make sure you bring a water purifier. It is some of the best tasting water I have ever had.

BIG RIVER: Make sure you plan your trip so that you can spend the night at Big River. It is an easy hike from Council Bluff Lake and is at the bottom of a hill. Big River isn't really a river but it is a reliable creek with a beautiful setting. It has a nice fire pit with plenty of large logs for seating. It can hold about ten campers comfortably. Tip: Dig your cat hole before you go to sleep and make sure it is at least 100 feet from the water.

Big River Primitive Campground

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Clean water, peaceful surroundings

OZARK TRAIL: Make sure you stay at Big River

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