Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

4.27

49 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

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Booking

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Sites

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Season

Day-use recreation a...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens BLUFFVIEW (MARK TWAIN LAKE) site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Day-use recreation a...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens BLUFFVIEW (MARK TWAIN LAKE) site

Get Directions

Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Recreation area is day-use only. Facilities include a boat ramp, playground and picnic shelters. No fee information provided.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.27

Satisfactory

Based on 49 reviews

57 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsscenery

"Reviews are polarized: most Google reviewers rave about the beautiful scenery, good views of the dam/river, and excellent fishing and swimming, while one Rec.gov review reports a very poor experience with a rented picnic shelter and facilities. Overall, people who come for views, day use, and fishing tend to rate it highly, but there are serious concerns raised about the condition of at least one restroom and the reliability of reservations for group facilities."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Day-use recreation area; specific seasonal opening/closing dates not provided.

About Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

Nestled along the Salt River just downstream from Mark Twain Lake, Bluffview Recreation Area beckons day-trippers with its perfect blend of water access and natural beauty. Cast a line below the Re-Regulation Dam, launch your boat from the convenient ramp, or settle into one of the picnic shelters while keeping an eye out for the diverse bird species that call this area home.

This is a day-use recreation area; overnight camping and lodging are not offered.

Historical SignificanceThe waters flowing past Bluffview carry more than just current—they carry the legacy of America's greatest storyteller. These are the same Missouri river waters that sparked young Samuel Clemens' imagination, eventually transforming him into Mark Twain. Today's visitors can trace his journey from the modest birthplace cabin in nearby Florida, Missouri, to the beloved boyhood home and museum in Hannibal, where the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn first took shape along these very riverbanks.

Natural Features and SceneryTen miles of winding river separate Bluffview from the impressive Clarence Cannon Dam and Mark Twain Lake, creating a distinct ecosystem where moving water meets managed wetlands. A smaller Re-Regulation Dam forms a tranquil storage pool that attracts waterfowl and wading birds throughout the seasons, while the surrounding landscape rises into gentle, tree-covered hills that frame the river valley in shades of green. The interplay of open water, wetland habitat, and forested bluffs creates an ever-changing canvas that rewards both casual observers and dedicated nature photographers.

Geological RegionSituated in north-central Missouri's rolling terrain, Bluffview occupies a scenic stretch where the Salt River carves through ancient hills before joining the Mark Twain Lake watershed. The tree-topped bluffs that give the area its name stand as silent sentinels along the river, their slopes shaped by millennia of water and weather into the gentle, forested landscape that defines this corner of Missouri.

Campsite details

Sites SizeDay-use area only (boat ramp, playground, picnic shelters); no campsites

Total Campsites0 campsites

Recommended CampsitesRecommended for boating, fishing (noted bass fishing below the Re-Regulation Dam) and bird watching; use boat ramp for river access.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Day-use only
overnight camping not permitted.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutDay‑use layout with boat ramp, playground and picnic shelters; no campsites.

Open and Closed SeasonDay-use recreation area; specific seasonal opening/closing dates not provided.

Cancellation PolicyThe recreation area is for day-use visitors only.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation focused on river-based activities and wildlife viewing along the Salt River about 10 miles downstream of Mark Twain Lake. Facilities support boating and picnicking, and wildlife habitat is present due to a small dam and storage pool for wetland purposes.

Fishing

Fishing for bass below the Re-Regulation Dam is a common activity on the Salt River.

Boating

Boat ramp provided; boating on the Salt River is popular.

Wildlife viewing

Bird watching for waterfowl is noted as a popular activity due to wetland and river habitat.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 79%

Wind: 11.7 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresOn the Salt River, approximately 10 miles downstream of Mark Twain Lake; includes a boat ramp and a small dam forming a wetland storage pool.

Campground Map

Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake)

Driving directionsFrom Hannibal, MO: travel west on Hwy 36 for 17 miles, turn south on Route J, continue traveling south for 4 miles, turn east on Route A, travel for 6 miles. From Center, MO: travel north on Hwy HH for 4.8 miles, turn west on Route A for 1.9 miles. From Monroe City, MO: travel east on Hwy 36, turn south on Rt. J for 4 miles, turn east on Rt. A for 6 miles.

Access via Hwy 36 with connecting routes J and A; also reachable via Hwy HH and Route A from Center.

Nearby places

Hannibal, MO (directions: west on Hwy 36 17 miles, then S on Route J 4 miles, then E on Route A 6 miles)

Center, MO (N on Hwy HH 4.8 miles, W on Route A 1.9 miles)

Monroe City, MO (E on Hwy 36, S on Rt. J 4 miles, E on Rt. A 6 miles).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.3

49 reviews

Satisfactory

Bluffview (Mark Twain Lake) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are polarized: most Google reviewers rave about the beautiful scenery, good views of the dam/river, and excellent fishing and swimming, while one Rec.gov review reports a very poor experience with a rented picnic shelter and facilities. Overall, people who come for views, day use, and fishing tend to rate it highly, but there are serious concerns raised about the condition of at least one restroom and the reliability of reservations for group facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 49 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors frequently praise the “beautiful scenery” and “good views of the damn and river,” especially of the bluffs and fall colors. Several reviewers highlight it as a strong fishing spot,...

Based on 49 reviews

Common Concerns

Only one clearly negative review appears, but it is very strong: the user describes the bathroom as “inhumane,” states their reserved picnic shelter spot was not actually reserved, and notes there...

Based on 49 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Anglers recommend bringing appropriate gear, with one reviewer advising to “bring big fish tackle” because of the size of the fish. Based on feedback, visitors planning to rent picnic shelters or use...

Based on 49 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Great place to catch monster catfish!” “Nice place, well lit at night. Good for fishing and picnics. Has toilets. Not great for little kids.” “This is the worst recreational area I've ever been to...

Based on 49 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One specific site is mentioned: Rec.gov Site GS1 in Loop BLUF. The reviewer reports an extremely negative experience there, saying their reserved picnic shelter spot was not actually reserved, the...

Based on 49 reviews