MARK TWAIN LAKE — The Mark Twain Lake Project office has announced that the Ray Behrens, Indian Creek and Frank Russell campgrounds will open April 3.
Camping fees for the 2015 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 2015, 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 15. 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 22. 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/pernight 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 1. 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 24.
Grills and restrooms are located in each area, as well as a playground in Spalding.
The M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center opened October 2, 2010. It is a great place for visitors to get tourist information, enjoy viewing areas and explore history and nature. Hands-on exhibits will demonstrate hydropower and water safety.
The center offers two multi-purpose community spaces that are available for rental, and other features, including a grand lobby a covered outdoor classroom, a nature store sales area, and drive-around vista.
Hour vary seasonally. To confirm times, you can email the visitor center at marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil or call 573-565-2112.
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.
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.