Camping At Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area In Missouri
- Date Visited: March 19-25, 2024
- Address: US-60, Ellsinore, MO 63902
- GPS: 36.91921, -90.77289
- Phone: (573) 785-1475
- Website
- Price: Varies by season.
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Restrooms: Yes
- Water: Seasonal
- Trash: Yes
- Hookups: No
- Cell Service: Verizon, AT&T
The Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area and Campground is run by USDA Forest Service and is conveniently located right off of US Hwy 60 near Ellsinore, Missouri.
The campground sits next to the 31-acre Pinewoods Lake which was built in the 1970s.
There are fifteen sites in the campground and each site has a table, lantern post, and firering.
Fires are allowed in provided pedestal grills or firerings only. Please be sure all sparks are out before leaving camp or going to bed.
The campground seems to have a managed season of May 1 through October 1. During that time single sites are $15 a night and double sites are $25 a night.
During the rest of the year, camping seems to be free. We were there for a week and there was nowhere to pay and no one from the forest service approached us.
There were no stated check-in or out times and I found nowhere to make reservations so I’m assuming the campground is first come first served.
The sites are located around one loop and are all paved and pretty level. Some sites have walking paths straight to the lake.
Restrooms and a dumpster are located in the campground. There were a couple of water spigots, but they were shut off for the season.
This is dry camping so no hook-ups.
Pets are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash and please pick up after them.
We had cell service with Verizon and AT&T.
The Pinewoods Trail is an easy 1.3 mile trail that winds around the lake and is perfect for the whole family. Keep an eye out for birds, deer, beaver, and bald eagles.
Anglers can fish for bass, sunfish, or catfish from the floating fishing pier or multiple spots around the lake.
A boat ramp is available for canoers, kayakers, and electric motorboats.
A day use area has a restroom, picnic tables, and pedestal grills. There is also a group picnic area pavilion which can be reserved up to 12 months in advance for a special occasion.
Concrete sidewalks in the day use area lead around a portion of the lake and to the accessible fishing pier.
Visitors can also walk across the dam for great views of the lake.
Day use hours are 6 am to 10 pm.
We had a great stay at the campground at Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area and would stay here again in the future.
It was quiet the whole time we visited with only a few other campers during our stay. We hiked around the lake every day and felt safe the entire time.
Always follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and try to leave your camp nicer than you found it. Please research campgrounds before visiting. Rules and regulations may have changed since we stayed there.
