Markham Springs Recreation Area
Located adjacent to the Black River, the Markham Springs Recreation Area contains bubbly springs and a small 2-acre pond that dates back to the 1800s. The area is covered by a dense forest of colorful trees, including ash, elm, maple and poplar. Six springs pour almost 5 million gallons of water a day into the pond, from there the water eventually makes it's way to the Black River. The bubble spring, a smaller outlet of Markham Spring outside of the pond area, has air with it, rises in soft sand forming the unique “air bubbles”.
This area gets its name from former owner, M. J. Markham, who acquired the property in 1901 and operated a lumber mill at the site until the 1930s.
The Fuchs House, a five-bedroom concrete and native stone home, also sits on the property, along with a neighboring mill. The historic Fuchs house was restored by a group of craftsmen under permit from the National Forest.
In the late 1930’s, Rudolph Fuchs built a 5-bedroom concrete and native stone house for his family, and also built the present wheel house to produce electricity for his needs. Power was obtained by building a dam in a semi-circle below a large spring forming a small pond. The water was to pour through a chute on the wheel to produce electricity; however electricity arrived to the site before the wheel ever needed to do its job. The area had an undershot wheel providing power to a grist mill in the late 19th century.
River and stream fishing are popular activities near the campground. The Black River boasts bass, sunfish, walleye and catfish. Many anglers fish from boats, but others fish from the riverbanks. Canoeing and kayaking is also possible on the river.
Markham Springs Recreation Area provides opportunities for camping, hiking, and day use.
Various day hikes within the Markham Springs Trail System are accessible from the campground. Eagle Bluff Trail is a 1.5-mile loop along the river, where birding and wildlife viewing are favorite pastimes.
Primitive camping is also available in a wooded setting near the Black River.
The day use area has a 2-acre, 20 foot deep mill pond that dates back to the 1800s, several picnic sites, open fields; river access for boating, fishing and float tubes and canoes; and short hiking trails that provide views of the river, the pond, the springs and the uplands.
Markham Springs Campground is set on the Black River in a scenic and historic recreation area in the southwestern corner of Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest.
Reservations
Some campground sites are first come, first served.
Reservation needed Campground and Picnic Shelter -
- Campground - From May 1 to Labor Day
- Group Picnic Shelter - From May 1 to Labor Day
- Reservations can be made up to:
- Campground - 6 months in advance of visit for Standard and RV electric sites.
- Group Picnic Shelter - 12 months in advance of visit.
- Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance of visit.
General Information
Camping
One loop has sites with electric hook-ups for RVs and accessible tables, fire ring, and lantern post. This loop has a concrete vault toilet, water faucet, and hot showers.
The three primitive camping loops feature individual sites in a wooded setting along the Black River. Each site has a lantern post, campfire ring and a picnic table. Sites in this loop do not have RV hook-ups, but pop-up campers fit nicely at sites on these loops.
The Fuchs House is available as a Cabin Rental. The house has two downstairs bedrooms with queen beds, a single bed and a shared bathroom. Upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms each with a bunk bed and twin bed. The kitchen comes fully furnished as well as all the other rooms; however, you must bring your own linens, pillows and towels. Amenities include:
- BBQ
- Stove/Oven
- Lighting
- Water Hookup
- Fridge
- Grills/Fire Ring
Opens April 1, 2025
Quiet Hourse: Only campers are allowed in the campground from 10 pm to 6 am
Day Use Fees
Day Use Fees can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes.
- Fees must be paid using cash or check, no credit card machines are available at any sites.
- Annual and Lifetime passes can be purchased to cover day use fees at USDA Forest Service operated sites.
Camping Discount
- There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or Senior Pass.
- The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party
When you are visiting, please keep in mind:
- No OHVs/ATVs/UTVs are allowed to operate within this Recreation Area.
- No fireworks
- Firearms should be kept in a tent or vehicle
- Showers are for campers only
- Maximum of 2 vehicles and/or 8 persons at a single site, and 16 persons at a double site.
- No swimming in the pond.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $10 per night
Single Site with electric hook-up: $17 per night
Double Site: $20 per night
Double Site with electric hook-up: $34 per night
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
Group Site: $50 per day (up to 50 people)
$40 per annual
Dogs are allowed at campsites and developed recreation areas; however, they should not be allowed to run loose in recreation areas where they will disturb other forest visitors. Be mindful of the impact a barking dog can have on other forest visitors.
- Keep dogs on a six-foot, or shorter, leash when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
- Store dog food in bear-resistant containers and feed your pet away from the campsite.
- Pick up and bag your dog’s waste. Place it in a provided trash receptacle or pack it out.
- Do not leave your dog unattended at any time.
- Do not leave your dog in the vehicle on a hot day.
- Keep your dog in your tent or vehicle at night.
- Ensure that there is ample water available for your pet.
Address: 1420 Maud St. Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Phone: 573-785-1475
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 36.981279
Longitude: -90.605007
Directions
From Poplar Bluff
- take Highway 67 north for 14 miles
- then turn left and drive west on Highway 49 for 9 miles, about 3 miles past the town of Williamsville.
- Take the first right after crossing the Black River to enter Markham Springs Recreation Area.
Parking
Boat Ramp: 8 spots; Day Use: 3 additional parking lots
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Day Use - 2 covered picnic tables that are accessible
Campground - every site has accessible picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
This campground has Drinking Water and Showers
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
While the Black River is still popular with some local canoeists, the higher water levels and the popularity among fast motor-boaters has made it less popular than in the past. It still provides opportunities for a slower float trip and for float-fishing. It is a little over 10 miles from the river access at Markham Springs to the USDA Forest Service river access at Hendrickson.
The flow of this part of the Black River is managed by actions of the US Army Corps of Engineers through operation of the Clearwater Dam. Water levels are normally high enough for motorized boating almost any time of year.
There is a single-lane concrete boat launch that is typically busy with motorized users year-round.
Boating - Motorized Info
The flow of this part of the Black River is managed by actions of the US Army Corps of Engineers through operation of the Clearwater Dam. Water levels are normally high enough for motorized boating almost any time of year.
There is a single-lane concrete boat launch that is typically busy year-round.
Fishing - River/Stream Info
The Black River has bass, sunfish, walleye and catfish. Many anglers fish with boats, but some fish successfully from the bank.
Picnicking - Single Info
Two individual picnic sites are available near the mill pond and two individual picnic sites are under a wooden shelter near the boat launch. Spring and fall are popular times for picnicking. All picnic sites include a pedestal grill and a picnic table.
No. of Sites
Four individual picnic tables, two of those are sheltered by wood
Picnicking - Groups Info
The pavilion is located up a set of stone stairs, at the top of a slight slope, near a pond next to Fuchs House.
No. of Sites
One pavilion that accommodates up to 30 people, electric is available
No. of Accessible Sites
There are stairs leading to the pavilion, so there is no wheelchair access to the pavilion.
Viewing Scenery Info
The Markham Springs Recreation Area features beautiful views of the mill pond, the historic house, a wide variety of trees including flowering dogwoods and redbuds and an abundance of wildflowers, as well as views of the springs and the Black River. Eagle Bluff has been known as a natural vantage point since Civil War Days. In parts of the spring you can see the sand bubbling up from the ground.
Day Hikes Info
Markham Springs Trail System, within the Markham Springs Recreation Area, consists of Bubble Springs Trail, Canebrake Trail and Eagle Bluff Trail. View Markham Springs - Hiking for more information.
Bubble Springs Trail is a 1/4 mile walk in the day use area. This is a small, flat, and wide path that goes to Bubble Springs. There are a series of small springs and creeks with foot bridges that ends at a wooden observation deck where you can see Bubble Springs. This is a family friendly trail.
Eagle Bluff Trail is a 1.7 mile trail accessed in the Electric Loop of the campground. Portions of this trail is very steep. If combined with Canebreak this is about a 2-mile walk. This winds up to Eagle Bluff and provides sweeping views of the valley below. This can be a moderately challenging hike.
The Canebreak Trail is a 1/3 mile trail that connects the campground to the Fuchs House. It goes by an old cyprus swamp area.