USDA Forest Service · Missouri

Fuchs House

USDA Forest Service · Missouri, United States

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Sites
1
Hookups
1 electric, 1 with water
Season
March 1 to November 30
Drinking water
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
472 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
MARKHAM SPRING REC AREA SPUR A (NFSR 2997A) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Mark Twain National Forest
Nearest town
Wiliamsville
Address
Rt 1 Box 144B, Wiliamsville, MO, 63967
Phone
573-341-5488
Activities
Camping

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

About

Overview

In the late 1930s, Rudolph Fuchs built a five bedroom concrete and native stone house for his family, and also built the present wheel house to produce electricity for his needs. Power was obtained by building a dam in a semi-circle below a large spring forming a small pond. The water was to pour through a chute on the wheel to produce electricity; however, electricity arrived to the site before the wheel ever needed to do its job. The area had an undershot wheel providing power to a grist mill in the late 19th century.

Recreation

The Black River boasts bass, sunfish, walleye and catfish. Many anglers fish from boats, but others fish from the riverbanks. Canoeing and kayaking is also possible on the river. Various day hikes within the Markham Springs Trail System are accessible from the campground. Eagle Bluff Trail is a one and a half mile loop along the river, where birding and wildlife viewing are favorite pastimes. The day use area has a two-acre, 20 foot deep mill pond that dates back to the 1800s, several picnic sites, open fields; river access for boating, fishing and float tubes and canoes; and short hiking trails that provide views of the river, the pond, the springs and the uplands.

Facilities

The house has two downstairs bedrooms with queen beds, a single bed and a shared bathroom. Upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms each with a bunk bed and twin bed. The kitchen comes fully furnished as well as all the other rooms; however, you must bring your own linens, pillows and towels.

Natural Features

Located adjacent to the Black River, the recreation area contains a small pond that dates back to the 1800s. The area is covered by a dense forest of colorful trees, including ash, elm, maple and poplar. Six springs pour almost five million gallons of water per day into the pond, and the bubble spring, a smaller outlet of Markham Spring outside of the pond that has air with it which rises in the soft sand forming unique air bubbles.

Nearby Attractions

The Fuchs House is located in the Markham Springs Recreation Area. Camping with both electric sites and primitive sites, day use, and pavilion rental is available. The town of Williamsville is three miles from the Fuchs House and offers a general store ad fuel station.

Fees

Fuchs House is available for the following prices:

Sunday- $125/night

Monday- $125/night

Tuesday- $125/night

Wednesday- $100/night

Thursday- $125/night

Friday- $200/night

Saturday- $200/night

Weekend- $400/weekend

Weekly Rate- $975/full week

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January42°29°7°67°10 of 11
February49°31°-6°75°10 of 11
March60°42°21°80°5 of 11
April70°50°31°84°1 of 11
May79°63°44°90°0 of 11
June88°69°55°98°0 of 11
July90°73°63°101°0 of 11
August87°71°62°100°0 of 11
September86°67°53°99°0 of 11
October69°50°35°84°0 of 10
November60°41°18°77°3 of 10
December48°34°14°68°9 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 Missouri · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-02. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.