Corps campgrounds set to open Friday


MARK TWAIN LAKE — It’s a sure sign that spring is here — the Mark Twain Lake Management office has announced that the Ray Behrens, Indian Creek and Frank Russell campgrounds will open for the season this Friday, April 1. The campgrounds are operated by the U.S. Army corps of Engineers.

Ray Behrens Campgrounds | Mark Twain Lake

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Camping fees for the 2016 season will be $18 per site per day for electric sites at Indian Creek and Ray Behrens campgrounds. Each site is equipped with electric hookups, a picnic table and grill. Campers have access to hot showers, hiking trails and trailer dumping stations. The Indian Creek Campground also includes a beach and a one-lane boat ramp.

In 2016, the  Indian Creek and Ray Behrens areas also will have a limited number of full hook-up campsites. They may be rented for $24 per site per night. Camping fees for all 65 sites at Frank Russell Area will be $18 per site per day. This area offers a water-borne comfort station with hot shower facilities, electric hook-ups, picnic tables, grills, dumpstation and playgrounds.

The John F. Spalding Beach and the Indian Creek Campground Beach will open May 13. The Spalding area offers a beach, shower house, restrooms, playground, picnic shelters and picnic sites, and day use fees are charged.  Indian Creek Beach is open to campers of Indian Creek campground only.

John C. “Jack” Briscoe and Indian Creek group campgrounds are available for group reservations beginning May 20 through September 6. The entire John C. “Jack” Briscoe Group Camp may be rented for a $100/per night fee and the Indian Creek Group Camp may be rented for a $125/per night fee by contacting the Mark Twain Lake Project office. Individual site fees are $18 per site.

For use on dates outside those listed, contact the Mark Twain Lake Project office at 573-735-4097 for availability.

The picnic areas at the Indian Creek and Ray Behrens Recreation Areas will open May 6. The M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center Picnic Area is open all year, while the picnic area in the Spalding Recreation Area will open on April 22.

Grills and restrooms are located in each area, as well as a playground in Spalding.

The David C. Berti Shooting Range, located in the South Spillway Area below Cannon Dam, is open daily until dusk, except during special events. The range features 25-, 50-, and 100-yard sections. Fees are $2 per shooter per day or $25 for an annual pass. Annual passes may be purchased at the nearby M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center. 

Picnic shelters in major recreation areas are available for reservation for a fee of $30. If not reserved, shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter reservations can be made by contacting the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov.

Day use and picnic facilities at the Bluffview and Warren G. See South Spillway Recreation Areas and Mark Twain State Park, as well as hunter/fisherman parking lots and boat ramps at Mark Twain Lake remain open throughout the year, weather permitting.  Comfort stations are closed in early winter and opened in early spring, depending on the weather.

To help plan your next vacation, be sure to get a copy of the 2016 Mark Twain Lake Vacation Guide. The publication may be picked up free at information centers around the state, at Mark Twain Lake area businesses or by emailing us at: 

info@exploremarktwainlake.com