Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

Show on map 815-259-3628 mvrodmn13@usace.army.mil

PO Box 398
Thomson, IL 61285

Overview

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.

Recreation

If you are looking for a few nights of good old fashioned camping, then Bulger’s Hollow Recreation Area is your stop. With 23 non-reservable campsites, 17 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, this park is small in size but offers one of the best views of the Mississippi. This campground offers primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. As a reminder, campers have a 14-day camping limit, within a 30-day period. The camping area is open from May 15-October 15. The boat ramp and day use areas are open year-round. Camping is not the only attraction to the area. Bulger’s Hollow also offers a boat ramp, playground equipment and picnic sites for a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.

Fishing Opportunities: Bulger’s Hollow offers a gravel boat launch for access to Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. A popular launching site for local fishermen, you can easily find a honey hole for an afternoon of fishing. Directly in front of the campground is a field of lily pads that are ideal for fishing. You can also take a short trip up or down river to a find a calm backwater slough for hours of casting.

Facilities

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area offers 23 non-reservable campsites, 14 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. Other facilities in the park include a boat ramp, playground, and picnic shelter.

Natural Features

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife, boat, fish, and camp. It sits along the Mississippi River, 7.5 miles North of Clinton, IA off Highway 67. You'll have to travel about 1 mile on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it.

Nearby Attractions

Lock and Dam 13, Fulton, IL
Eagle Point Park, Clinton, IA
The Sawmill Museum, Clinton, IA
Wide River Winery, Clinton, IA
City of Clinton Showboat
Clinton Lumberkings Baseball, Clinton, IA
Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, IA
Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center, Clinton, IA
Windmill Culture Center, Fulton, IL
Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL

Charges & Cancellations

As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.

Camp site features

Across 24 camp sites:

Fire pit: 1 of 24 sites
Largest party: 6 people

Fees

The "Scan & Pay" way to pay for your campsite is easy to use. However, once payment is made on-site; know that we do not offer refunds or modifications.

Directions

The address to Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is 4686 170th Street, Clinton, IA 52732 From Clinton, IA: Take Highway 67 North for 6.5 miles Turn right onto 170th Street Travel 1 mile and the entrance to Bulger's Hollow will be straight ahead.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

7 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Netanel A

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Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful area, right on the Mississippi River, beautiful views. Was here with wife and 2 little ones and had a great time. Freight trains pass by every 1-3 hrs, day and night, so the noise can be pretty loud. Went in late June and was pretty much empty

Timothy M

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Reviewed 3 months ago

Love this place, it’s so peaceful and relaxing

Bruce L

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Reviewed a year ago

Nicely kept campground. Bathrooms clean. Camp host and rangers were awesome! Very helpful and friendly.

Jeffrey O

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Reviewed a year ago

Beautiful little campground tucked away in a corner.

Vickie R

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Great little campground by the river. Had the place to ourselves. You have to tolerate the trains running by, super close, about every 2 hours.....until midnight and then they start again early in the morning. We also were woken to the gunblasts of duck hunters. It's a pretty place, right on the river. The vault toilets are in the minimal range, super old. There is a playground.

Kyle S

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Cute, quaint little campground. We enjoyed a relaxing weekend here because it's only about 10 minutes from the skatepark. There were only two other campers. Everyone was quiet and respectful. There is a train that runs right next to the campsites throughout the night, but I thought it was cool. The park rangers brought my son a junior ranger activity book, tattoos, stickers and a frisbee in the morning. We will stay here again!

Availability

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

Reserve Watch

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Thomson Causeway

3.9 miles away

126 camp sites

Camping