Council Bluff Recreation Area

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

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table

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.

Available sites

37 total sites

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?

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
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 001, Loop: L1WK Tent
Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 003, Loop: COUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 003, Loop: L1WK Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 005, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 005, Loop: L1WK Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Full shade
🚐 007, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 007, Loop: L1WK Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 009, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 009, Loop: L1WK Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 011, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 013, Loop: COUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 015, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 017, Loop: COUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 019, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 021, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 023, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 025, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 026, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 027, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 028, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 029, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 030, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 031, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 032D, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 033, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 034, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 035, Loop: L2SG RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 037, Loop: COUN RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 039, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 041, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 043, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 045, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 A, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 B, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 C, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 D, Loop: GRPA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site

Reviews

46 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

3.6

Overall rating

Based on 46 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 37.0% (17)
4 stars 23.9% (11)
3 stars 13.0% (6)
2 stars 13.0% (6)
1 star 13.0% (6)

Showing 46 reviews

Shawn M

Verified

September 13, 2021 Stayed at: A, Loop: GRPA

We have camped here many time and it has been a lovely experience.

Helpful

Annette D

Verified

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

.

Helpful

Marcey M

Verified

September 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.

Helpful

Robert N

Verified

August 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.

Helpful

Eric h

Verified

July 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.

Helpful

Kathleen P

Verified

June 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

Helpful

Melea K

Verified

June 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!!

Helpful

Christina M

Verified

October 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.

Helpful

Jack W

Verified

October 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.

Helpful

Katie B

Verified

October 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 mi 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!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Council Bluff Recreation Area

State Hwy. Dd, Belgrade, MO 63622 United States

Elevation: 390 ft

Getting There

From Potosi, take Highway P south for 10 mi 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 mi to the recreation area entrance.

Nearest town

Belgrade, MO - 13 mi

About 18 min to downtown

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.

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: October 21, 2026

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Explore Belgrade, MO

Nearby city: St. Louis, MO

Approx. 76 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 886 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service