Council Bluff Recreation Area

Beach on a sunny day.
LARGE SANDY BEACH WITH PLAY AREA
GROUP SHELTER AT BEACH
Beach on a sunny day.
Recently remodeled bathhouse.

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

37 total sites

RV Sites

32 sites

Tent Sites

5 sites

About Council Bluff Recreation Area

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.

Number of accommodations: 37

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 23 to Oct 26

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
  • Boat Ramp / Launch
Missing information? Let us know

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
001, Loop: L1WK Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: COUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
003, Loop: L1WK Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
005, Loop: L1WK Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
007, Loop: L1WK Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
009, Loop: L1WK Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 011, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: COUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 017, Loop: COUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 019, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 023, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 025, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 026, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 028, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 029, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 030, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 031, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 032D, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 033, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 034, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 035, Loop: L2SG RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 037, Loop: COUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 039, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 041, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 043, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 045, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 C, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 D, Loop: GRPA RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (43)

What Guests Are Saying

Council Bluff Recreation Area offers a beautiful and spacious campsite with great amenities, including picnic tables, fire pits, and clean vault toilets. Campers appreciate the scenic views, proximity to trails, and family-friendly atmosphere, making it enjoyable for outdoor activities. However, there are significant concerns regarding the lack of potable water, cell service, and some maintenance issues, such as overflowing toilets and raccoon problems, which visitors should prepare for in advance.

Review Summary

3.6
43 reviews
5
37.2%
16
4
25.6%
11
3
14.0%
6
2
9.3%
4
1
14.0%
6

Dan D

Verified

January 9, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: L1WK

5

Great place to camp.

Paul H

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 032D, Loop: L2SG

4

The sites are well spread out and private. When we arrived, the site was ready and clean. The bathrooms (pit toilets) were reasonably clean, although they did run out of toilet paper by Saturday night, and did not get restocked for a day or so. Be sure to have a stock with you, because this is a pretty remote location. The campsite had a nice covered equipment shelf, tables and a fire ring. There is a fresh water spigot, but no electricity, flush toilets or showers in the campground, so be aware of that before going. Those things ARE available over at the beach house during limited hours (showers are for a fee), but during our stay, they were in poor repair. The beach is pretty nice, and was a great way to cool off on a hot weekend. We did not have any trouble with mosquitoes, raccoons, or any other wildlife during our stay.

Rick E

Verified

January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 011, Loop: GRPA

5

The lake is beautiful, the campgrounds are big and private. Is my favorite camping grounds.

Joseph M

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: 032D, Loop: L2SG

2

My party and I book early to ensure that we get a particular campsite. Our trip is tradition and we have stayed at the same site every time. When we arrived, another party was already camped at our site. The campsite attendant didn't bother to go out and out up reservation signs to make sure others didn't camp there. We had to find a different open campsite to stay on and downgraded from a double campsite to a single as we didn't want the party currently there to have to break down camp and move. After all it wasn't their fault. All in all we were very disappointed and part of our trip was eaten up trying to get answers about why our campsite was taken and where we could go.

Adam D

Verified

February 16, 2020 Stayed at: 031, Loop: L2SG

3

Lot's of early morning noise from cycling event. Would have liked to known that was happening. The beach was closed but the weather was near 80 degrees. Would not have chosen this site had we known the beach would be closed. Any improvement over pit toilets would be a huge plus!

Josh B

Verified

September 15, 2020 Stayed at: 034, Loop: L2SG

5

Our favorite type of tent-camping area - very secluded sites, almost no mowed grass (almost all woods), no electricity (keeps crowds down a bit), but still clean running water. Solid site fixtures (large/heavy-duty picnic tables, fire rings, covered "counter/bar", groomed tent pads). Very nearby hiking trails, mostly around a lake; small man-made beach for cooling off in summer, with nice little play ground, about 10 min drive from the campground.

Katie B

Verified

October 4, 2020 Stayed at: 005, Loop: GRPA

5

Council Bluff is a beautiful wooded area of the forest. Our camp site was walking distance to a large crystal clear blue lake and a 12 mile hiking trail around that lake. The campground was clean, neighbors were respectful, and bathrooms and water were easy to find but not distracting from the surrounding nature. I will be back!

Jack W

Verified

October 6, 2020 Stayed at: 025, Loop: L2SG

1

My reserved campsite had someone else's name on it. I found out later that they had cancelled, and I reserved it after they cancelled. The reservation sign was never updated. Ended up camping in a different spot that was not as remote and very noisy.

Christina M

Verified

October 18, 2020 Stayed at: 028, Loop: L2SG

4

For primitive camping and no way to keep boat on bank - it was good. Lake is beautiful and fishing is excellent.

Melea K

Verified

June 7, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: GRPA

4

The sites are not so close together and those group sites can get rowdy. The lake was beautiful and a must see. The shower house was filthy…..definitely did not see where it was renovated!!

Location Council Bluff Recreation Area

Address:
State Hwy. Dd
Belgrade, MO, 63622
United States

Highway access

Council Bluff Recreation Area is accessible via Highway P, which connects to C Highway and then DD Highway. The area is within reasonable distance of state highways but does not have direct access to interstates or major freeways.

Elevation: 390 feet

Distance to downtown

13 mi drive to downtown Belgrade (about 18 min)

Policies & Rules

General

  • Drinking water is not available in the campground from Nov. 1 to April 1.
  • Additional fees are collected for use of the boat ramp
  • Additional fees are charged for parking
  • Horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in developed areas
  • Click Here for more information on the Mark Twain National Forest
  • Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service