Council Bluff Recreation Area

STATE HWY. DD
Belgrade, MO 63622

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.

Camp site features

Across 41 camp sites:

Fire pit: 2 of 41 sites
Pets allowed: all 41 sites
Group sites: 4 of 41 sites
Longest RV: 40 ft
Largest party: 74 people
Equipment: CAR, Tent

Fees

Group site rates: $50 - $100

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 2 PM.

Reviews

47 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Thomas H

Loop:Grpa

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

The council bluffs trail (around the lake) is beautiful and a great length for a 1 or 2 day hike. You can do dispersed camping along the trail and there is always water available which makes it nice for lowering your carry weight. The Wild Boar campground is basically un-manned as far as I can tell. We had a group campsite and it was nice enough. I especially liked the raised kitchen counter things. One major sadness was that there was no water in the campground. If you want to come and camp there out of your car, you'd better bring all the water you need for the whole trip.

Brian A

Loop:L2 Sg

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

It's a peaceful place with good site spacing. I'm not a fan of the gravel where your tent goes. That's a lot is wear, but otherwise it's well set up. Water was off for maintenance and the women's restroom. We worked around it.

John H

Loop:Grpa

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

After years without needed repairs, the campground remains without water. Campers are urged not to bring in wood, yet none is available on site. The sites are minimally maintained, and the condition of the wooden picnic tables has deteriorated.

Alex D

Loop:L2 Sg

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Water was turned off, with only notice being signs on the spigots, so had to get water from the beach concession stand. Bathrooms were also covered wall to wall in flies and toilets were in bad condition. Semi-private camp sites, pretty, not well maintained.

Elena T

Loop:L2 Sg

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

We were very disappointed – the campsite was completely deserted. We were surprised that they were even selling pitches there. There was no sign confirming our booking, and there was no water. There was absolutely no internet or mobile signal. It’s a real shame; we had to leave without even stopping.

Robbie H

Loop:L2 Sg

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great campsite with easy access to the lake trail

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet