Council Bluff Recreation Area
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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Missouri · reservable in Missouri · big rigs in Missouri · pets allowed in Missouri · group sites in Missouri
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 28 |
| Walk-in | 9 |
| Group sites | 4 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
| Host/management | 15 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
42 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHAP | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 75 / 20 | No | ||
| 003 | COUN | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 13 / 4 | ||
| 013 | COUN | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 13 / 4 | ||
| 017 | COUN | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 13 / 4 | ||
| 037 | COUN | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 13 / 4 | ||
| A | GRPA | Group | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 74 / 8 | ||
| B | GRPA | Group | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 74 / 8 | ||
| C | GRPA | Group | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 74 / 8 | ||
| D | GRPA | Group | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 74 / 8 | ||
| 001 | GRPA | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 11: AM, checkout 7:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Group site rates: $50 - $100 |
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. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Mark Twain National Forest |
| Booking | Picnic Pavilion Reservations Picnic area pavilions can be reserved by calling the concessionaire at 573-766-5765. |
| Fees | Day Use $5/day. 20 people - $10/day. 74 people - $50/day. Campsite (Non-Electric): Single - $15/night. Double - $25/night. Group Campsite 1 - 50 people: $50/night. 51 - 74 people: $100/night |
| Rules | No food, glass containers or pets on beach. Boat motors are limited to 10 horsepower or must be operated at a no wake speed if larger than 10 horsepower. Horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in developed areas. Equestrian use is prohibited on Council Bluff Lake Trail. Fireworks are prohibited. Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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 town | Belgrade, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 37.7083° N, 90.9417° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Electricity is not available, but some sites will accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ozark Outdoors ↗ | 28.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bourbon RV ↗ | 35.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
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Video
campground review wild boar campground, council bluff recreation area, council bluff lake
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miOzark Trail - Middle Fork ↗23.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.6 miCouncil Bluff Connnector Trail0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miCb Walk in Campsites 1to 40.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miCb Walk in Campsites 5 to 80.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miWild Boar West Connector Trail0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miWild Boar East Connector Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.1 miCouncil Bluff Lake Trailhead ↗Mark Twain National Forest · Season January to December
- 1.5 miEnough Boat Launch and Trailhead ↗Mark Twain National Forest · Season January to December
- 1.7 miWild Boar Boat Launch and Trailhead ↗Mark Twain National Forest · Season January to December
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Bell Mountain Wilderness begins about 4.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.4 miBell Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 9,183 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Harrison Queen HouseBuilding · Caledonia · 9.2 mi
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.
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.
Nearby
The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.
Guidebooks for Missouri
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
Group site rates: $50 - $100
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
Check-in 11: AM, checkout 7:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Council Bluff Recreation Area open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Council Bluff Recreation Area have?
57 sites, including 28 standard sites without power, 9 walk-in sites, 4 group sites, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
The beach provides accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Council Bluff Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Council Bluff Recreation Area?
Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, but all boats on the lake must operate at a no-wake speed. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Council Bluff Recreation Area?
Belgrade, Missouri. The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.
Source: Getting there
What if Council Bluff Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hazel Creek Campground (9.8 mi, first-come), Red Bluff Campground (14.4 mi, partly first-come), and Sutton Bluff Recreation Area (16.4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby