Sutton Bluff Recreation Area
Roomy campsites surrounded by open lawn and natural shading, cool breezes, abundant songbirds and scenic views all await visitors at the Sutton Bluff Recreation Area. The campground is a popular site for those using the nearby designated Sutton Bluff off-road vehicle trails.
The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Missouri · 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 | 18 |
| Standard with electric | 14 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 76 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
34 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 52 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 003 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 52 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 004 | CAMP | Electric | Back-in | 51 | Paved | Full | 50 amp | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 005 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 59 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 006 | CAMP | Electric | Back-in | 48 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 007 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 59 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 57 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 010 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 56 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 011 | CAMP | Standard | Back-in | 64 | Paved | Partial | No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 76 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 003, 004, 005 and 30 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers multiple single-family sites and a large group site that can accommodate up to 32 guests. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills, and electric hookups are available for RVs. Accessible vault and flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are also provided. A group picnic pavilion, equipped with about 10 tables, as well as grills, is perfect for large parties or family functions. Camping Sites #29, #32 and #33 have short parking spaces that are not able to accommodate large RVs/Trailers. Please take this into account when reserving sites.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Mark Twain National Forest |
| Booking | There are some first come, first served single sites. Reservation needed - Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit for single sites. |
| Fees | Electric sites: Single - $20. Double - $30. Non-electric sites: Single - $10. Double - $20. Group non-electric campsite: $40. Day Use Fee Per Vehicle: $5. Per Bus: $10. Group picnic area pavilion: $25. There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or Senior Pass. |
| Rules | ATV use in the campground limited to ingress and egress to the trail. Campground: Fees will be paid at the fee tube provided. Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas. No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites). Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground. Only collect dead and downed wood for campfires. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Centerville, Missouri, travel 3 miles northeast on Highway 21. Take County Road 907 northwest for 7 miles, then turn on County Road 849 and travel south for 3 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Salem, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 37.4764° N, 91.0069° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Visitors enjoy wading in the waters, however the current is not strong enough to enable floating the river.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alley Spring Store ↗ | 33.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bourbon RV ↗ | 48.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
campground review video of Sutton Bluff Recreation Area and campground, Centerville, MO
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miSutton Bluff Campground Trail1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miOt- Karkagnhne Parking Spur ↗0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.5 miSutton Bluff ATV 130.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1 miSutton Bluff ATV 143.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.6 miSutton Bluff ATV 43.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.8 miSutton Bluff ATV 50.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miOT Sutton Bluff Trailhead ↗Mark Twain National Forest · Season January to December
- 1.6 miSutton Bluff ATV 4 & 14 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
Mark Twain National Forest begins about 8.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.5 miMark Twain National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,069,958 acres
- 11.1 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
Natural features
Sutton Bluff is located 13 miles outside Centerville, Missouri, on the Black River. It is nestled among a variety of short-leaf pine trees and shrubs, and a number of campsites sit alongside the West Fork of the Black River.
Recreation
A 20 mile off-road vehicle trail can be accessed from the campground. Permits are required for off-road vehicle use in the area. The Karkaghne section of the Ozark Trail, which is popular among backpackers, hikers and mountain bikers, is accessible from a trailhead less than a mile from the campground. The West Fork of Black River provides access to a serene, slow-moving mountain stream and a natural gravel beach. Anglers can enjoy a variety of bass and bluegill.
Nearby
The small mining town of Centerville is located roughly six miles from the campground.
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 Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
For some sites. The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Electric sites: Single - $20. Double - $30. Non-electric sites: Single - $10.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sutton Bluff Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sutton Bluff Recreation Area have?
34 sites, including 18 standard sites without power, 14 standard sites with power, 1 group site, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Sutton Bluff Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Accessible vault and flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are also provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Sites 002, 003, 004, and 005 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 34 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
A 20 mile off-road vehicle trail can be accessed from the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sutton Bluff Recreation Area?
Salem, Missouri. The small mining town of Centerville is located roughly six miles from the campground.
Source: Getting there