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.
Located in southern Missouri, the Council Bluff Lake was created by a dam across Big River. It is 440 acres in size and 87 feet deep in some places.
The Chapel Hill Beach is at the eastern end of the campground and provides 54,000 square-feet of sandy beach. Visitors can either walk or drive to the lake.
Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, but all boats on the lake must operate at a no-wake speed. Visitors can access the water via the two boat ramps located at the lake.
Canoeing, swimming and fishing are also available. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of freshwater fish, including bass bluegills, catfish and crappies.
The 12-mile Council Bluff Trail encircles the lake, with spurs to the campground. Hikers can enjoy scenic views of the lake and a look at the Mark Twain wilderness.
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Council Bluff Lake and the nearby Enough Fields provide upland game opportunities. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the heavily wooded area.
Beach: Open the Monday before Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day 10:00AM – 7:00PM. Closed on Monday, except for Holiday Mondays.
Campground: Open March 1 to November 30, 6:00AM – 10:00PM (except for campers)
Boat Ramp: Open Year-Round
Lake Shore Trail: Open Year-Round
Reservations:
Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov All reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance of arrival. Group sites and picnic area pavilion can be reserved up to 12 months in advance. Standard sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
Fees
Day-Use Fees: $3 per vehicle; $10 per bus, $20 for season pass; Group picnic area pavilion: $25/day; Campsite (Non-Electric): $10.00 single and $20 double sites.
Usage:
Light-Medium
Busiest Season:
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Restrictions:
Individual concessionaire may have certain restrictions in place; no food, glass containers or pets on beach. Boat motors are limited to 10 horsepower or must be operated at a no wake speed if larger than 10 horsepower. 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.
The Wild Boar Ridge Campground offers multiple single-family, large group and walk-in sites, available for tent and RV camping. Each is equipped with tables, lantern posts and campfire rings or campfire circles, with grills.
The large group sites can accommodate up to 50 people and a nearby picnic pavilion can hold up to 75. The pavilion is paved, with a roof overhead and is equipped with multiple tables and grills.
Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Electricity is not available, but some sites will accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The beach provides accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers. A small play area with a slide and climbing structure is adjacent to the beach. The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.
General Information
Directions:
From Potosi, take Highway P south for 10 miles 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 5 miles to the recreation area entrance.
Chapel Hill Beach open the Monday before Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day. Closed on Monday, except for Holiday Mondays.
Concession stand, coin-operated hot showers, flush toilets, water fountains, body showers, and a 54,000 sq. ft. sand beach is provided. A small play area with slide and climbing structure is adjacent to the beach. No lifeguard on duty.
Status:
Open
Hours of Operation:
Open 10:00AM – 7:00PM. Closed on Monday, except for Holiday Mondays.
Bicycling
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Mountain Biking
Lakeshore trail - This 12-mile loop trail is managed for mountain biking and hiking. Horses are prohibited from this section of the trail. A spur trail links to the Trace Creek Section of the Ozark Trail.
The trail can be accessed from the Wild Boar Hollow Boat Ramp Parking Lot. A $3 day use fee applies for those using this facility.
4 group camp sites which can accommodate up to 50 people each and is available for reservations at www.recreation.gov.
RV Camping
Can accommodated up to 40' RVs. No electric or water hookup, showers or dump station facilities. Sites are available for reservations through www.recreation.gov, or by calling 877-444-6777.
Campground Camping
Wild Boar Campground, open March 1 through November 30, has 39 single sites, 7 double sites, 9 walk-in sites, and 4 group sites, each with table, fire ring, lantern post and (except for walk-in sites) a parking spur. Drinking water and vault toilets are conveniently located. Coin-operated hot showers available at Chapel Hill. Pressurized water hydrants available in central locations.
Fees:
Single Sites - $10; Double Sites - $20; Group Sites - $25
Fishing
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Lake and Pond Fishing
Red-ears, bass, sunfish, and catfish may be caught from shore, fishing pier, or boats. Council Bluff Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, red-ear, sunfish, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Fishing is permitted year round. There are 2 boat launches on Council Bluff Lake: Wild Boar Hollow and Enough. Fishing regulations are established by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Status:
Open
Hiking
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Day Hiking
12 mile long Council Bluff Trail encircles the lake, with spurs to the campground. Trace Creek Section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area. A printable brochure is available.
Hunting
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Game Bird/Waterfowl
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Council Bluff Lake and the Enough Fields provide upland game opportunities. Hunting regulations are established by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Nature Viewing
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Viewing Scenery
Viewing Plants
Viewing Wildlife
Picnicking
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Group Picnicking
A pavilion with 8 tables and a group grill can accommodate group of up to 75 adjacent to the Chapel Hill Beach. This can be reserved through www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
Picnicking
17 single-family picnic sites, including a minimum 8-foot table and pedestal fire grill. Several of these sites have accessible surfaces or deck. One site has a small shelter. A pavilion with 8 tables and a group grill is available for available for reservations through www.recreation.gov, or by calling 877-444-6777.
Water Activities
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Swimming
54,000 sq. ft. sand beach. A small play area is located adjacent to the beach. Swimming area delineated by buoys and floating plastic pipe. No lifeguard available.
Status:
Closed
Boating - Non-Motorized
Canoes and paddle boats are available for rent, when Chapel Hill is open.
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