USDA Forest Service · Missouri
Sutton Bluff Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service · Missouri, United States
- Sites
- 34
- Hookups
- 14 electric, 20 no hookups
- Season
- April 2 to October 26
- Max RV length
- 76 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 810 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- SUTTON BLUFF REC AREA (NFSR 2525) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Mark Twain National Forest
- Nearest town
- Salem
- Address
- PO BOX 460, Salem, MO, 65560
- Phone
- 573-729-6656
- Activities
- Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
34 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Roomy campsites surrounded by open lawn and natural shading, cool breezes, abundant songbirds and scenic views all await visitors at the Sutton Bluff Recreation Area. The campground is a popular site for those using the nearby designated Sutton Bluff off-road vehicle trails.
Recreation
A 20 mile off-road vehicle trail can be accessed from the campground. Permits are required for off-road vehicle use in the area.
The Karkaghne section of the Ozark Trail, which is popular among backpackers, hikers and mountain bikers, is accessible from a trailhead less than a mile from the campground.
The West Fork of Black River provides access to a serene, slow-moving mountain stream and a natural gravel beach. Visitors enjoy wading in the waters, however the current is not strong enough to enable floating the river. Anglers can enjoy a variety of bass and bluegill.
Facilities
The campground offers multiple single-family sites and a large group site that can accommodate up to 32 guests. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills, and electric hookups are available for RVs.
Accessible vault and flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are also provided. A group picnic pavilion, equipped with about 10 tables, as well as grills, is perfect for large parties or family functions.
Camping Sites #29, #32 and #33 have short parking spaces that are not able to accommodate large RVs/Trailers. Please take this into account when reserving sites.
Natural Features
Sutton Bluff is located 13 miles outside Centerville, Missouri, on the Black River. It is nestled among a variety of short-leaf pine trees and shrubs, and a number of campsites sit alongside the West Fork of the Black River.
Nearby Attractions
The small mining town of Centerville is located roughly six miles from the campground.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 28° | 4° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 49° | 30° | -7° | 75° | 9 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 41° | 16° | 81° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 48° | 30° | 85° | 1 of 11 |
| May | 77° | 61° | 44° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 85° | 68° | 54° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 72° | 63° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 70° | 60° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 65° | 52° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 49° | 33° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 59° | 40° | 14° | 77° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 32° | 11° | 66° | 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
- Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park · Missouri State Parks · 10 mi · 85 sites
- Loggers Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 11 sites
- Taum Sauk Mountain State Park · Missouri State Parks · 17 mi · 12 sites
- Highway K · Army Corps of Engineers · 17 mi · 84 sites
- Council Bluff Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi · 57 sites
All public campgrounds in Missouri · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-22. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.