Established Camping
Council Bluff Recreation Area
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
<strong>NOTICE: The public drinking water system continues to be inoperable until further notice at Wildboar Ridge Campground (no water).</strong>
<strong>NOTICE: The public drinking water system continues to be inoperable until further notice at Wildboar Ridge Campground (no water).</strong>
About
National Forest
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.
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.
Fee Info
Group site rates: $25 - $100
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
No hook ups
Great "out in the woods" campground.
Only a few campers
There were so many sites and very few campers. This was our first time there and will go back again. The sites are separated by trees and very well shaded. We were in site 43 and our 28' trailer fit great and only needed minor level adjustments. Three issues during our stay: no water at all, limbs along the road are overgrown, and the campsite needs some updating. When I called the ranger station about the lack of water they advised to use Silver Springs and one other campground to fill up. We went to a nearby convenience store to get water. Site 43's buried terracing railroad ties are rotted and should be replaced before someone gets hurt. Other than stupid people leaving trash in the fire pit the site was nice and had a great level spot for our table and chairs. Putting my hammock under the trees with a fan next to me was great. You can walk to the lake from the site, but knowing there are people fishing and probably unrecovered hooks we drove a few minutes to swim at the beach.
I'm guessing the heat and lack of water kept a lot of people away this past weekend. We brought and used our generator a lot to run the A/C and cool off the trailer.
I dumped at Washington State park and they have a water tower where the elbow nozzle can unscrew for my hose. I would probably fill up with potable water from there before going to Council Bluff next time.
I saved raccoons from being trapped in the trash cans twice. They are able to open them and fall in but can't get out. I put a large limb in for them to climb out. The trash cans need to be animal proof.
Thumbs up!
Stayed at Wild Boar cg Mark Twain NF. 10/4/21 large sites. All had good shade. Sites 41 and 42 not the best. Beach area closed off season. Dumpsters available, vts clean and stocked. Water shut off. Got there on a Saturday, cg nearly empty. Double and group sites also an option
Location
Council Bluff Recreation Area is located in Missouri
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.
Address
STATE HWY. DD
Belgrade, MO 63622
Coordinates
37.7083333 N
90.9416667 W