## Overview

Shady Creek Campground is a 22-acre park where campers enjoy getaways on the
banks of the Mississippi River. A nature trail, shore fishing and fantastic
bird watching are offered at Shady Creek.

## Recreation

The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish
species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also
found in the river.  
  
Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.

## Facilities

The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish
species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also
found in the river.  
  
Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.

## Natural Features

The park has spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Many trees throughout
the campground provide great places to lounge in the shade.  
  
The Upper Mississippi River begins at the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota
and flows 1,250 miles to Cairo, Illinois where it joins the Ohio River.

## Nearby Attractions

Wildcat Den State Park is just north of Shady Creek, offering hiking trails
and the historic Pine Creek Grist Mill built in 1848.  
  
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive downstream.
Trails and observation decks are open to the public. Hunting and fishing are
allowed in many area of the refuge.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Shady Creek Campground is a 22-acre park where campers enjoy getaways on the banks of the Mississippi River. A nature trail, shore fishing and fantastic bird watching are offered at Shady Creek.<h2>Recreation</h2>
The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also found in the river.<br/>
<br/>Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.<h2>Facilities</h2>
The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also found in the river.<br/>
<br/>Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The park has spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Many trees throughout the campground provide great places to lounge in the shade.<br/>
<br/>
The Upper Mississippi River begins at the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows 1,250 miles to Cairo, Illinois where it joins the Ohio River.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Wildcat Den State Park is just north of Shady Creek, offering hiking trails and the historic Pine Creek Grist Mill built in 1848.<br/>
<br/>
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive downstream. Trails and observation decks are open to the public. Hunting and fishing are allowed in many area of the refuge.

Three men fishing from shoreline.

People Playing Horseshoes!

Looking at Mississippi River and a speedboat going by.

Out for a stroll!

Boaters along SC shoreline.

Downriver of boat ramp looking at river.

Concrete Turtle and Bicycling

Large Group of people at campsite picnic tables.

Tot Playground Unit

Shady Creek

## Overview

Clarks Ferry is a outdoor lovers delight, with fantastic bird watching and
lots of shore fishing opportunities with our new accessible fishing dock! The
park has plenty of trees to lounge under while taking in the spectacular views
of the mighty Mississippi River.

## Recreation

Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds, play a game of horseshoes,
volleyball, or go boating. The Mississippi River draws crowds of anglers for
channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, crappie and northern pike.

## Facilities

Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds, play a game of horseshoes,
volleyball, or go boating. The Mississippi River draws crowds of anglers for
channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, crappie and northern pike.

## Natural Features

The park is surrounded by large mature trees along the Iowa side of the Upper
Mississippi River. The Upper Mississippi is the section of the river that
starts in the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows 1,250 miles to
Cairo, Illinois, where it joins with the Ohio River.

## Nearby Attractions

Clarks Ferry is near the Shady Creek Recreation Area and the Wildcat Den State
Park.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Clarks Ferry is a outdoor lovers delight, with fantastic bird watching and lots of shore fishing opportunities with our new accessible fishing dock!  The park has plenty of trees to lounge under while taking in the spectacular views of the mighty Mississippi River. <h2>Recreation</h2>
Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds, play a game of horseshoes, volleyball, or go boating. The Mississippi River draws crowds of anglers for channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, crappie and northern pike.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds, play a game of horseshoes, volleyball, or go boating. The Mississippi River draws crowds of anglers for channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, crappie and northern pike.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The park is surrounded by large mature trees along the Iowa side of the Upper Mississippi River. The Upper Mississippi is the section of the river that starts in the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows 1,250 miles to Cairo, Illinois, where it joins with the Ohio River.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Clarks Ferry is near the Shady Creek Recreation Area and the Wildcat Den State Park.

People playing game at their campsite.

Baggo game at campsite!

People at a picnic table at sunset overlooking the river.

Lounging looking at the river with a speedboat going by.

Long view Baggo Game at campsite.

Campers visiting at campsite around picnic table.

Campers walking their dog down the campground road.

Senior campers using chair assistance and visiting at campsite.

Young boy roasting marshmallows with adults watching at campsite.

CF Entrance Sign

Clarks Ferry

## Overview

The Mississippi River Project’s Muscatine Ranger Station has gone to a new way
to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Blanchard Island Recreation
Area. This new way is called "Scan & Pay". Blanchard Island’s open fee dates
are May 15th through October 15th. Visitors are required to physically arrive
at the campground to purchase and claim a site using the QR Code and
Recreation.gov mobile APP. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment.
Credit Card Only.)

## Recreation

Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island. If you
have a boat, you can launch it from here and find the best catfish holes. In
the Fall, hunters enjoy camping and hunting deer from here, as well as the
Island; if they bring their boat.

Others just enjoy the serenity of the park and the natural views of the river
and bottom lands. Wildife viewing is a popular activity here. Bald Eagles,
ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and the occasional muskrat or otter may be
seen.

## Facilities

Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island. If you
have a boat, you can launch it from here and find the best catfish holes. In
the Fall, hunters enjoy camping and hunting deer from here, as well as the
Island; if they bring their boat.

Others just enjoy the serenity of the park and the natural views of the river
and bottom lands. Wildife viewing is a popular activity here. Bald Eagles,
ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and the occasional muskrat or otter may be
seen.

## Natural Features

Blanchard Island Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife due to it's
serene backcountry feel. It sits along the backwaters of the Mississippi
River. You'll have to travel about 2 miles on a gravel road to get here, but
it's well worth it. You'll want to bring the bug spray though to be safe!

## Charges & Cancellations

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

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The Mississippi River Project’s Muscatine Ranger Station has gone to a new way to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Blanchard Island Recreation Area.  This new way is called "Scan & Pay".  Blanchard Island’s open fee dates are May 15th through October 15th. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site using the QR Code and Recreation.gov mobile APP.  (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment.  Credit Card Only.)   </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island.  If you have a boat, you can launch it from here and find the best catfish holes.  In the Fall, hunters enjoy camping and hunting deer from here, as well as the Island; if they bring their boat.</p>

<p>Others just enjoy the serenity of the park and the natural views of the river and bottom lands.  Wildife viewing is a popular activity here.  Bald Eagles, ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and the occasional muskrat or otter may be seen.  </p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island.  If you have a boat, you can launch it from here and find the best catfish holes.  In the Fall, hunters enjoy camping and hunting deer from here, as well as the Island; if they bring their boat.</p>

<p>Others just enjoy the serenity of the park and the natural views of the river and bottom lands.  Wildife viewing is a popular activity here.  Bald Eagles, ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and the occasional muskrat or otter may be seen.  </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>Blanchard Island Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife due to it's serene backcountry feel. It sits along the backwaters of the Mississippi River. You'll have to travel about 2 miles on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it.  You'll want to bring the bug spray though to be safe!</p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<p>As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.  </p>

There are no additional fees to camp at or utilize this park. 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.

Pickup Truck Campers along river campsites

Lounge Chair overlooking the river.

BI Entrance Sign

Popup Camper and Tent along river campsite

Camper looking out over the river from lawn chair and trailer

BI Boat Ramp and Boats along shoreline

Father/Son on table along river with tent

Boater on water

Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River
Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters,
interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months.
Fishing is very popular along ?Old Man River.?

Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months. Fishing is very popular along ?Old Man River.?

Shady Creek

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

Directions

Reviews

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Clarks Ferry

Blanchard Island Recreation Area