About Council Bluff Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 37
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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37 Sites Available
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Reviews (35)
What Guests Are Saying
Council Bluff Recreation Area offers beautiful, spacious camping sites with a peaceful, wooded atmosphere and proximity to a lovely lake for swimming and kayaking. However, visitors noted significant issues, including a lack of potable water, broken facilities, and an overwhelming tick population. While the area is well-suited for family camping, maintenance concerns and facility management detract from the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Council Bluff Recreation Area offers beautiful, spacious camping sites with a peaceful, wooded atmosphere and proximity to a lovely lake for swimming and kayaking. However, visitors noted significant issues, including a lack of potable water, broken facilities, and an overwhelming tick population. While the area is well-suited for family camping, maintenance concerns and facility management detract from the overall experience.
Review Summary
Annette D
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COUN
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Marcey M
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: L2SG
We were very disappointed in our stay. We had reserved our campsite for 5 days but we only stayed one night. The restrooms were unusable. The firepit had never been cleaned. We drove 5 hours to get there and were so disappointed we packed up the next morning and headed home.
Robert N
VerifiedAugust 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COUN
This is a National Forrest Campground. I wish it was open all year, but it is seasonal. It is my favorite campground in Missouri. The beach area obviously is seasonal. and also the best swim beach in Missouri. The only issue with campground is that the water pump was down so the spigots did not work when i visited over July 4th weekend, and again 3 weeks later. i know it was a temporary issue, and had enough water with me the 2nd weekend. They did allow us to fill water containers at the concession building at the beach if needed.
Eric h
VerifiedJuly 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 032D, Loop: L2SG
Campground was quiet, bluegill fishing was good, trout fishing not as much. Raccoons were around, they were getting into everything in the camp at night. There were box turtles walking on all of the roads and paths in the morning.
Some deep-woods OFF and some mosquito nets would have been really helpful. The bugs weren't pestering, we barely noticed them, but we did get chewed up pretty good.
Kathleen P
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: GRPA
Great wooded sites with lots of privacy, clean pit toilets and grounds. The lake is wonderful and clean. The beach is excellent and clean restrooms. Great place for a family
Melea K
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: GRPA
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!!
Christina M
VerifiedOctober 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: L2SG
For primitive camping and no way to keep boat on bank - it was good. Lake is beautiful and fishing is excellent.
Jack W
VerifiedOctober 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: L2SG
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.
Katie B
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: GRPA
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!
Josh B
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: L2SG
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.
Location Council Bluff Recreation Area
Address:
State Hwy. Dd
Belgrade, MO, 63622
United States
From Potosi, take Highway P south for 10 miles to C Highway junction. Continue on C Highway for less than a mile to DD Highway junction. Turn left on DD Highway and continue for approximately 7 miles to the recreation area entrance.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.7083 / -90.9417
Elevation: 390 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Drinking water is not available in the campground from Nov. 1 to April 1. |
| General |
Additional fees are collected for use of the boat ramp |
| General |
Additional fees are charged for parking |
| General |
Horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in developed areas |
| General |
Click Here for more information on the Mark Twain National Forest |
| General |
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. |