Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area
Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in southeastern Missouri. It is an ideal location to enjoy lake fishing and scenic trails.
More like this: reservable in Missouri · pets allowed in Missouri · group sites in Missouri
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
Site guide
16 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinewoods Pavilion | PINE | Group Picnic Area | Full | Lakefront | 75 / 20 | Yes | |
| 01 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 02 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 16 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | |||
| 04 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | |||
| 05 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | |||
| 06 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | |||
| 07 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 16 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 08 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 8 / 2 | |||
| 09 | Pinewoods | Standard | Full | 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 9:00 AM, checkout 9:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site Pinewoods Pavilion is listed accessible |
The day-use picnic shelter can accommodate up to 75 people. It is equipped with tables and large grills. Accessible vault toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | January to December |
| Forest | Mark Twain National Forest |
| Booking | Reservation Needed for Group Picnic Area Pavilion Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance of visit. Reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance of visit |
| Fees | Day Use Fee Group Picnic Area Pavilion: $50/day (74 people). Parking is free of charge. Camping Single - $15/night. Double - $25/night |
| Rules | No OHVs/ATvs/UTVs are allowed to operate within this Recreation Area. Boats are allowed on the lake, electric motors only. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the day use area. Fireworks are prohibited. Fires allowed in provided pedestal grills or firerings only. No camping in the day use area. No trash containers; please pack out all your trash. No swimming from the fishing pier. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Poplar Bluff, Missouri, go 7 miles north on U.S. Highway 67, then travel 16 miles east on U.S. Highway 60.
| Nearest town | Poplar Bluff, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 36.9192° N, 90.7839° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Trash collection service is not available; visitors must carry out all garbage.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alley Spring Store ↗ | 39.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area campground review- Ellsinore, Mo. /No longer a free site
Worth a stop
Ellsinore is the closest city to the campground, just 3 miles away, with a few dining options, a grocery store and fuel station.
- 12.2 miBig Spring Entrance Station ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miPinewoods Lake Trail ↗1.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 4.3 miOzark Trail-Victory ↗19.2 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_recreation_or_other
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miPinewoods Lake 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
This campground sits inside Mark Twain National Forest.
- inMark Twain National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,069,958 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- James Hinton HouseBuilding · Grandin · 6.3 mi
- Alvis Powers HouseBuilding · Grandin · 6.3 mi
- Lawrence Smith HouseBuilding · Grandin · 6.3 mi
Natural features
The lake is located on the southeastern quadrant of the Mark Twain National Forest. The area is densely wooded.
Recreation
A 1.3-mile walking trail surrounds the lake. Most of the trail has a concrete surface and is accessible. The entire trail is relatively flat, with no difficult sections. Circling the 32-acre lake, the trail provides views of the lake, songbirds and wildlife, and an abundance of wildflowers. The lake offers a floating fishing pier and a concrete boat ramp. Anglers can enjoy fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish.
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 Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservation Needed for Group Picnic Area Pavilion Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance of visit. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Day Use Fee Group Picnic Area Pavilion: $50/day (74 people). Parking is free of charge. Camping Single - $15/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 9:00 AM, checkout 9:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season January to December.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area have?
16 sites, including 15 standard sites without power and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. No OHVs/ATvs/UTVs are allowed to operate within this Recreation Area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Site Pinewoods Pavilion is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
A 1.3-mile walking trail surrounds the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area?
Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Ellsinore is the closest city to the campground, just 3 miles away, with a few dining options, a grocery store and fuel station.
Source: Getting there
What if Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Markham Springs (10.7 mi, partly first-come), Big Spring (11.4 mi), and Watercress (14.2 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby