Mark Twain National Forest

Water Activities

Many of Mark Twain National Forest's beautiful rivers, lakes, and streams are but a short drive from a long list of large metropolitan areas and small towns. You'll find plenty to do on or near the water! Whether it's a weekend float trip on a stream that's clear all the way to the bottom -- or letting your boat drift across a sparkling lake while you cast in hopes of hooking a big fish -- or a peaceful day of camping as you watch your kids throw rocks into the river -- Missouri's National Forest can fill the bill.

Swimming

While the Mark Twain National Forest does not provide lifeguards, there is a designated swimming area at Chapel Hill Beach within the Council Bluff Recreation Area. This beach has a sandy shore for playing or relaxing, a playground with slide and climbing structure, barrier-free access to the water, and a defined swimming area. There is also a bathhouse with changing rooms, flush toilets, water fountains, showers, and a small concession stand.
Open May 26 - September 10; day use fee $3/standard vehicle or $20/season.

In addition there is ample opportunity for swimming in less developed or natural swimming holes and beaches across the forest.  The Forest Service does not provide lifeguards, post boundaries, test water quality, or measure water depth or current at any of these swimming areas.  Any one wishing to swim in them needs to carefully consider the risks involved, and take steps to assure their own protection and that of other members of their party, particularly children. Even commonly used swimming areas may have strong currents during moderate to high waters, or rocks, drop-offs, or other unseen hazards beneath the surface of the water.

USE CAUTION AND SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK WHEN YOU ENJOY ANY OF THESE AREAS!

Boating and Canoeing

Listed below are sites which have boating/canoeing facilities. The colored (*)and number depict which general map location the site is in. Click on the site name to find more details about the site or click on the map section to view all sites in that area.

• Adams Ford (MDC)*1
• Bay Nothing *4
• Beaver Lake *4
• Big Bay Recreation Area *3
• Big Piney River *1
• Boiling Springs (MDC) *1
• Council Bluff Lake *2
• Crane Lake *2
• Deer Leap *4
• Dogs Bluff (MDC) *1
• Dry Branch *1
• Dunrovin *4
• East Gate *1
• Fairview *1
• Fourche Lake *4
• Greer Crossing *4
• Hendrickson *4
• Hwy 142 Access *4
• Huzzah Ponds *2
• Lane Spring *1
• Loggers Lake *2
• Mason Bridge (MDC) *1
• Markham Springs *4
• Mayfield Spring *1
• Mill Creek *1
• Mineral Springs (MDC) *1
• McCormack Lake *4
• Noblett Lake *3
• North Fork *3
• Palmer, Howell and Parole Lakes *2
• Peter Eck Conservation Area (MDC) *1
• Pinewoods Lake *4
• Red Bluff *2
• Ripley Lake *4
• Riverton *4
• Roby Lake *1
• Ross Bridge Access (MDC) *1
• Silver Mines *2
• Slabtown *1
• Spring Creek *1
• Sutton Bluff *2
• Thomasville *4
• Timberlane Lake *2
• Turner Mill South & North *4
• Watercress *4

(MDC) = Missouri Department of Conservation

Map