OutReserve

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.

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 closed - Opens on Apr 23

Sites & Availability

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
001, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
003, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
005, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
007, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
009, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 029, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 032D, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 033, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 041, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 043, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 045, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 B, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 C, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 D, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night

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.

Review Summary

3.6
35 reviews
5
37.1%
13
4
25.7%
9
3
14.3%
5
2
8.6%
3
1
14.3%
5

Annette D

Verified

September 13, 2021 Stayed at: 037, Loop: COUN

2

.

Marcey M

Verified

September 8, 2021 Stayed at: 031, Loop: L2SG

1

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

Verified

August 2, 2021 Stayed at: 037, Loop: COUN

4

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

Verified

July 27, 2021 Stayed at: 032D, Loop: L2SG

4

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

Verified

June 11, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: GRPA

5

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

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Location Council Bluff Recreation Area

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

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.

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