Frank Russell
Mark Twain Lake — lakeside, fishing
Location: MONROE CITY, MO, MO
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$30 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (252 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Frank Russell Campground, set near the picturesque Mark Twain Lake, has a location near the dam, providing campers with easy access to the lake, river and surrounding attractions. The campground also features an amphitheater with weekly events in the summer. The lake’s namesake and legendary author and humorist, Mark Twain, was born in a town beside the lake.The 32-mile long Joanna Trail is accessible from the campground.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/frank-russell to be notified when sites open up.
Army Corps of Engineers campground near Mark Twain Lake with recently remodeled sites featuring concrete pads and full hookups on select sites. Campers praise the quiet atmosphere and newly paved roads.
Wildlife alert: White-tailed Deer, Red-shouldered Hawk, Chuck-will's-widow, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Brown-headed Cowbird, DeKay's Brownsnake, and Western Ratsnake observed in the area.
Insider tips for Frank Russell: Book early — this is a popular federal campground Request a full hookup site (30, 50, or 15amp power available on select sites) Access the 32-mile Joanna Trail from the campground for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding Attend weekly amphitheater events offered during summer
Skip Frank Russell if: Most sites do not have water or sewer hookups. You need year-round camping — seasonal operations only. Seeking activities for children — limited recreation options reported.
Best time to visit Frank Russell: Memorial Day through Labor Day — Campground operates seasonally during this period only.
Nearby campgrounds: John C. Briscoe Group Use (MONROE CITY, MO), John Spalding Rec Ar (MONROE CITY, MO), Ray Behrens (MONROE CITY, MO), Indian Creek (Mo) (MONROE CITY, MO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Frank Russell
Cell signal at Frank Russell (MONROE CITY, MO): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
Frank Russell Campground, set near the picturesque Mark Twain Lake, has a location near the dam, providing campers with easy access to the lake, river and surrounding attractions. The campground also features an amphitheater with weekly events in the summer. The lake’s namesake and legendary author and humorist, Mark Twain, was born in a town beside the lake.The 32-mile long Joanna Trail is accessible from the campground.
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
Request a full hookup site (30, 50, or 15amp power available on select sites)
Access the 32-mile Joanna Trail from the campground for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding
Attend weekly amphitheater events offered during summer
Campground operates seasonally during this period only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Hannibal - Hwy 36 west 17 miles to Hwy J, south 9 miles. From Monroe City - Hwy 36 east 3 miles to Hwy J, south 9 miles. From Paris - Hwy 154 east 20 miles to Hwy J (Perry), north 10 miles. From Perry - Hwy J north 10 miles.
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 Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mark Twain Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Frank Russell cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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