Trekking Around Council Bluff Lake

Hiking around a crystal-clear lake and finding myself alone at a huge sandy beach was my day at Council Bluff Lake.

Council Bluff Lake Recreation Area is located in the Mark Twain National Forest and west of Caledonia, Mo. Created in 1997 the 12-mile Council Bluff Trail goes around the whole lake. A spur trail connects this trail to the Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail.

MY TIME HERE

I did a six-mile out and back hike here starting from the Wild Boar Hollow boat launch.

At Wild Boar Boat Ramp

I followed the paved road off of Missouri Highway DD into the recreation area.

I had considered doing a hike from the beach, but the road to the beach was closed.

So, I decided to hike to the beach and then the dam. I did a two-mile hike to the beach and then another mile hike to the dam.

*Crossing a wooden bridge to start the hike.*

Starting the Hike at Council Bluff Lake

I headed to the trailhead on the left that leads to the beach. I crossed a wooden bridge. The trail surface begins with broken pavement. Picnic tables are nearby in the woods.

Then I crossed another bridge and headed through rocky terrain with the lake on the right.

As I walked I took in the views of the blue lake among leafy green trees. The trail goes around the coves of the lake here. I walked through some downed trees. It looked like there had been a forest fire in this area in the past.

Rock Garden

I checked out a rock garden. Upright, laid down and rocks of all sizes were in this area. If I had my son with me we would spend time here.

Mountain View

I came into view of the 1,644 feet Johnson Mountain that is near the dam. (Main blog photo) It is the highest point in this area and sticks out among the lower hills. I would come closer to it later when I walked by the dam.

Rocky Hike with Beach in the Distance

I passed by a rock wall. I was wondering if this had been a dam at one time. It was near one of the small brooks that go into the lake.

Then I looked down and saw huge yellow mushrooms.

Next, I came along another cove and saw part of the 54,000-square-foot beach.

*Careful on the rocks when crossing this brook.*

I turned away and found still more hiking to go. I went uphill through some bluffs and then came to a rocky brook. You have to go down into wet rocks to cross it so be careful here.

*The paved trail leads to the beach area and further along the trail around the lake.*

Almost to the Beach

I came to a paved road. I was now near the beach parking lot.

Through the trees is a wooden walkway that leads from the lot to the beach area.

Beach Area

I checked it out. The water is clear and the beach area is well-marked. It looks like when this place is open you can order food here. I read later you can also rent paddle boats and canoes.

A playground in the sand is also here.

If I had brought my swim trunks and a towel I might have stopped to take a dip in the water.

There is also plenty of picnic tables if you want to have a lunch or snack before hiking more.

*Look for this gravel road to the left of the beach area to continue the trail.*

Out of the beach area

I headed to the left out of the picnic and beach grounds and came to a gravel road. This is where the trail begins anew. The diamond marker for the Ozark Trail is here so I guess this is the spur for that trail.

Heading downhill I came to the trail markers for both and saw a narrow path once more.

I took this down to the rocky spillway.

*A red reflector leads to the trail after the spillway area.*

At the spillway, I was not sure at first where the trail went until I saw a red reflector.

I headed back into the woods away from the lake.

*Wooden walkway to the drain for the lake.*

Then I came to a long wooden walkway that goes out to the drain for the lake.

This provided views of Johnson Mountain and far off into the lake.

The Dam

I walked across the dam and here you gained far-off views of the lake.

Looking the other way, you look into the Big River valley, and far-off mountain views. It was worth hiking across for the views.

For a time in the 1980s, it was the largest earth-fill dam ever built by the USDA-Forest Service with an embankment height of 124 feet. The lake is 440 acres and in some places, it is 87 feet deep.

**If you want to hike further the full loop hike is 11.4 miles.**

I noticed where the trail began on the other side of the dam and then realized I still had a long walk back so I turned around.

Gravel road section heading back — *Gravel roa*d section heading back

Way Back

Knowing my way now I relaxed. Ate my lunch at a picnic table near the beach. I took in the views of the lake and the distant mountains.

Noticed more mushrooms and some of the deep rocky ravines going up from the lake.

Trail to the camp — *The trail to the camp*

Near the Trailhead

I walked to the right of the parking area and found the other trailhead. Next time I might go that way and hike by the campground or maybe hike from the Enough Boat Ramp on the south side of the lake. I would like to come back here again. Although, I might skip hiking altogether and come here on a weekend and go swimming at the beach with the kid!

MORE ABOUT THE LAKE

Created in the mid-1980s to provide more recreational activities in Missouri. Stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.

Map of the area — Map of the Council Bluff Lake Area

DETAILS:

Wild Boar Campground offers several campsites and spur trails that connect them to Council Bluff Trail.

If you want to only go to the beach I would call first to make sure the road to it is open unless you want to do the two-mile hike to it.

Drive: First do not follow Google Maps which will lead to the back road and can be dangerous. Follow these directions that are on paved roads to the recreation area and Council Bluff Lake Boat Ramp. Take Interstate 55 south and then take exit 174 and go south onto U.S. Highway 67. Then exit 67 for State Highway 32 and make a right onto this road. In Caledonia, Mo. Make a right onto State Highway 21 and then a left onto Highway C. Next make a left onto Highway DD. Look for the sign for the Council Bluff Recreation area and make a left and then another left for the Council Bluff Boat Ramp.

Admission: A day-use fee of $3 is charged and pay boxes are near the information signs.

Address: Belleview, MO 63623