Mark Twain Lake from M. W. Boudreaux Visitor Center
Spalding Beach
Spalding Play Ground
Spalding Picnic Shelter
Mark Twain Lake from M. W. Boudreaux Visitor Center

About John Spalding Rec Ar

Visitors at John Spalding are in the perfect location for recreation on Mark Twain Lake. The day-use area is the only facility within reach of the sandy public beach. It's also directly connected to the Joanna Trail, a 32-mile multi-purpose trail for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Tour the birthplace of world-famous humorist and writer, Mark Twain and explore the region that inspired his most beloved stories, such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Year-round
Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

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

Campground Amenities

Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Reviews (8)

What Guests Are Saying

The John Spalding Recreation Area is an excellent venue for family reunions, featuring well-maintained facilities and convenient pavilions with restrooms. Attendees appreciated the cleanliness and the addition of a shower building. Overall, the positive atmosphere and thoughtful amenities contributed to a memorable gathering for the Young family.

Review Summary

4.1
8 reviews
5
62.5%
5
4
12.5%
1
3
0.0%
0
2
25.0%
2
1
0.0%
0

Barbara S

September 20, 2026

5

It was a nice day and pavilion except the bathrooms were awful

Joan K

July 5, 2026

4

This is a great location and venue for our bi-annual family reunion. The facility was in good condition and needed very little clean-up. The new water hydrant was a great addition. Overall, we had a great reunion and appreciate the hard work you guys do to provide these facilities. Thank you, the Young family.

Darrell C

June 27, 2026

5

We love having family reunions at Spalding rec area. The pavilions are very convenient and have restroom facilities at each location

Laura W

June 6, 2026

5

Everyone was nice. Place was clean. Had a shower building which was a nice surprise.

Brian T

June 25, 2022

5

Clean and quiet area. Restrooms could have been cleaner but it's hard to keep the bugs out. Will do this again.

Brian T

June 25, 2022

5

Clean and quiet area. Restrooms could have been cleaner but it's hard to keep the bugs out. Will do this again.

RICK C

May 15, 2022

2

Nice Shelter House to have a picnic have used it twice now, however both times the electric service is sub par blowing breakers at the service pole also both times access gate was not open at 8am like the sign says it will be this last time a deputy Sherriff happened by and helped us get hold of some one it was 9am by the time we got in.

RICK C

May 15, 2022

2

Nice Shelter House to have a picnic have used it twice now, however both times the electric service is sub par blowing breakers at the service pole also both times access gate was not open at 8am like the sign says it will be this last time a deputy Sherriff happened by and helped us get hold of some one it was 9am by the time we got in.

Location & Directions for John Spalding Rec Ar

20642 Highway J, Monroe City, MO 63456-9359 United States

Elevation: 203 ft

Getting There

From Hannibal, MO, travel west on Highway 36 for 17 mi. Turn south on Route
J, and travel 6 mi. Turn west on Oakland Drive and travel for 2 mi.


Nearest town

Monroe City, MO - 11 mi

About 16 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Highway 36, which is approximately 17 miles to the north, and Route J, which connects to Highway 36.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Explore Monroe City, MO

Population: 3,028

Nearby larger city

Columbia, MO

Approx. 55 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 745 ft

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