Council Bluff Recreation Area
Mark Twain National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Belgrade, MO, MO
Price: From $11 per night
Price range: $11–$22 per night
Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (35 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.The Wild Boar Ridge Campground offers multiple single-family, large group and walk-in sites, available for tent and RV camping.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/council-bluff-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Council Bluff Recreation Area offers camping next to the largest lake in Mark Twain National Forest with ample opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and swimming. Google reviewers praised the beautiful location and hiking trails, with a 4.2/5 rating from 87 reviews.
Wildlife alert: North American Mountain Lion, Wild Boar, White-tailed Deer, American Beaver, Green Heron, Wild Turkey, and Three-toed Box Turtle documented within 8km
Insider tips for Council Bluff Recreation Area: Book early — this is a popular federal campground All boats on the lake must operate at no-wake speed Basic tent camping is $10/night with additional fees for RV sites and parking
Skip Council Bluff Recreation Area if: You need full hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only. You expect pristine facilities — Google reviews mention littering and vault toilet maintenance issues.
Best time to visit Council Bluff Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Red Bluff Campground (Viburnum, MO), Sutton Bluff Recreation Area (Salem, MO), Highway K (ANNAPOLIS, MO), Loggers Lake Campground (Bunker, MO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Council Bluff Recreation Area
Cell signal at Council Bluff Recreation Area (Belgrade, MO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.The Wild Boar Ridge Campground offers multiple single-family, large group and walk-in sites, available for tent and RV camping.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
All boats on the lake must operate at no-wake speed
Basic tent camping is $10/night with additional fees for RV sites and parking
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 7 miles to the recreation area entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mark Twain National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mark Twain National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Council Bluff Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Council Bluff Recreation Area open?+
Does Council Bluff Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Council Bluff Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Council Bluff Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Council Bluff Recreation Area?+
What season is Council Bluff Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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