Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
24
Hookups
1 with water, 24 no hookups
Season
May 15 to October 14
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Dump station
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
702 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 4
Cell coverage
T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Nearest town
Clinton
Address
4686 170th Street, Clinton, IA, 52732
Phone
815-259-3628
Activities
Birding, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddling, Picnicking

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.

Recreation

If you are looking for a few nights of good old fashioned camping, then Bulger’s Hollow Recreation Area is your stop. With 23 non-reservable campsites, 17 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, this park is small in size but offers one of the best views of the Mississippi. This campground offers primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. As a reminder, campers have a 14-day camping limit, within a 30-day period. The camping area is open from May 15-October 15. The boat ramp and day use areas are open year-round. Camping is not the only attraction to the area. Bulger’s Hollow also offers a boat ramp, playground equipment and picnic sites for a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.

Fishing Opportunities: Bulger’s Hollow offers a gravel boat launch for access to Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. A popular launching site for local fishermen, you can easily find a honey hole for an afternoon of fishing. Directly in front of the campground is a field of lily pads that are ideal for fishing. You can also take a short trip up or down river to a find a calm backwater slough for hours of casting.

Facilities

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area offers 23 non-reservable campsites, 14 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. Other facilities in the park include a boat ramp, playground, and picnic shelter.

Natural Features

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife, boat, fish, and camp. It sits along the Mississippi River, 7.5 miles North of Clinton, IA off Highway 67. You'll have to travel about 1 mile on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it.

Nearby Attractions

Lock and Dam 13, Fulton, IL

Eagle Point Park, Clinton, IA

The Sawmill Museum, Clinton, IA

Wide River Winery, Clinton, IA

City of Clinton Showboat

Clinton Lumberkings Baseball, Clinton, IA

Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, IA

Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center, Clinton, IA

Windmill Culture Center, Fulton, IL

Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL

Charges & Cancellations

As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.

Fees

The "Scan & Pay" way to pay for your campsite is easy to use. However, once payment is made on-site; know that we do not offer refunds or modifications.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January28°11°-19°51°11 of 11
February35°17°-14°64°11 of 11
March48°30°3°75°10 of 11
April60°39°24°80°5 of 11
May71°52°35°88°0 of 11
June81°62°47°92°0 of 11
July84°67°59°91°0 of 11
August81°66°56°92°0 of 11
September80°59°50°89°0 of 11
October61°44°28°81°2 of 10
November48°32°5°71°8 of 10
December37°24°-10°69°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Iowa · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.