Missouri / Ralls County

Frank Russell

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typically operates from late March through early November. Reservations for the 2026 season are delayed until February 15, 2026, due to ongoing infrastructure repair and replacement projects.

About

Frank Russell Campground is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility located near the Clarence Cannon Dam on Mark Twain Lake in northeast Missouri. The campground provides convenient access to the lake, river, and surrounding recreation areas, making it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The campground features 67 campsites with electric hookups, including sites with 20/30 amp service (sites 1-29) and 20/30/50 amp service (sites 30-67). All sites include paved parking, picnic tables, and grills. Equestrian campsites are available with adjacent shaded horse stalls for registered campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional amenities include showers, playgrounds, vault toilets, and an amphitheater that hosts campfire programs every Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The campground serves as the eastern trailhead for the 32-mile Joanna Trail, a multi-use trail that winds along the northern banks of Mark Twain Lake through rough and varied terrain, crossing bluffs and hills. The trail accommodates horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers. Nearby attractions include the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site in Florida, Missouri, the David C. Berti Shooting Range below the dam, and the M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center.

Directions

From Hannibal: Highway 36 west 17 miles to Highway J, south 9 miles. From Monroe City: Highway 36 east 3 miles to Highway J, south 9 miles. From Paris: Highway 154 east 20 miles to Highway J (Perry), north 10 miles. From Perry: Highway J north 10 miles.

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