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Big Bay Recreation Area

Big Bay Recreation Area is set in a red cedar and hardwood forest on the shore of beautiful 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake, a premier vacation spot in the Ozarks. The facility features; picnicking, vault toilet in picnic area, and a boat ramp with parking area near picnic area. Visitors will need to bring their own water for drinking.

For more information on Table Rock Lake visit the Army Corp of Engineers website.

A full service marina and beach are located nearby at Campbell Point. The area is within an hour of attractions at Eureka Springs, AR and Branson, MO.

General Information

January - December

Day Use Hours 6 am to 10 pm

When visiting, please remember

  • No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.
  • Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the day use area
  • No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
  • Fireworks are prohibited.
  • Do not move the barriers at the boat launch.

Day Use: $5/vehicle/day.

Please keep dogs on a leash.

USDA Forest Service Logo

Address: 1006 S. Jefferson Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-4428
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: 36.61968

Longitude: -93.57006635

Directions

From Shell Knob

  • go north on Hwy 39 for 1 mile to the junction of Hwy YY.
  • Turn right and follow Hwy YY east 2.5 miles.
  • Turn left on County Road/Big Bay Road for .5 mile to Big Bay Recreation area.

Parking

9 vehicles with trailers

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

The toilet is accessible

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Horse/Pack Animal Information

Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Picnicking - Single Info

Picnic area has picnic tables and pedestal grills.

No. of Sites

5 sites

Fishing - Lake & Pond Info

The 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake features several species of bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie, and other game fish species.

For more information about fishing at Table Rock Lake visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.

Fish Species

Bass – black, largemouth, spotted, smallmouth, white; walleye, bluegill, goggle-eye, catfish, paddlefish

Fishing Mode

boat, shore

Fishing Platform

None

Water Temperature

Cold

Fishing Method

Pole

Boating - Motorized Info

A concrete boat launch provides access to Table Rock Lake

Type of Craft

Fishing Boats, Bass Boats, Dinghies, Electric Boats, Flat Boats, Jon Boats

Size Restrictions

None

Motor Type

gas, electric

Last updated May 29th, 2025