Missouri / Iron County / Mark Twain National Forest

Council Bluff Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the season. Campground operates from April through October. Day-use areas remain open year-round. Note that the water system at Wild Boar Ridge Campground is currently out of service; water and showers are available at Chapel Hill Beach.

About

Council Bluff Recreation Area is situated next to the largest lake in Mark Twain National Forest, a 440-acre reservoir created by damming Big River. The lake reaches depths of 87 feet and offers excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation. The Wild Boar Ridge Campground provides 39 single sites, 7 double sites, 9 walk-in sites, and 4 group sites that accommodate up to 50 people each. Most sites can handle RVs up to 40 feet and include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts. Walk-in sites offer additional privacy in wooded areas on the north and south sides of the campground. The Chapel Hill Beach features 1.25 acres of sandy beachfront with a concession stand, coin-operated hot showers, flush toilets, and two picnic pavilions. A small playground provides entertainment for children. The beach and campground are about a mile apart, connected by trail. Two boat ramps provide lake access, with Wild Boar Hollow offering a concrete launch and Enough boat ramp providing a gravel launch. All motorized boats must operate at no-wake speeds or use motors limited to 10 horsepower. The 12-mile Council Bluff Trail encircles the lake with spurs to the campground, offering scenic lake views and access to Mark Twain wilderness areas. The trail connects to the Ozark Trail's Trace Creek section just west of the recreation area. Anglers can fish year-round for largemouth bass, red-ear sunfish, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Waterfowl hunting is permitted on the lake, and nearby Enough Fields provide upland game opportunities.

Directions

From Potosi, take Highway 21 south for 10 miles. Turn right onto Highway C and continue for approximately 6 miles. Turn left onto Highway DD and travel about 8 miles to the recreation area entrance on the left. GPS coordinates: 37.72261, -90.937792.

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