Overview Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in southeastern Missouri. It is an ideal location to enjoy lake fishing and scenic trails.Recreation A 1.3-mile walking trail surrounds the lake. Most of the trail has a concrete surface and is accessible. The entire trail is relatively flat, with no d…
Overview Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in southeastern Missouri. It is an ideal location to enjoy lake fishing and scenic trails.Recreation A 1.3-mile walking trail surrounds the lake. Most of the trail has a concrete surface and is accessible. The entire trail is relatively flat, with no difficult sections. Circling the 32-acre lake, the trail provides views of the lake, songbirds and wildlife, and an abundance of wildflowers. The lake offers a floating fishing pier and a concrete boat ramp. Anglers can enjoy fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish.Facilities The day-use picnic shelter can accommodate up to 75 people. It is equipped with tables and large grills. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Trash collection service is not available; visitors must carry out all garbage.Natural Features The lake is located on the southeastern quadrant of the Mark Twain National Forest. The area is densely wooded. Nearby Attractions Ellsinore is the closest city to the campground, just 3 miles away, with a few dining options, a grocery store and fuel station.
Photos
A photo of Pinewoods Lake from the boat ramp at PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA — USDA Forest Service PINEWOODS RECREATION AREA — Mark Twain National Forest
How to Get There
From Poplar Bluff, Missouri, go 7 miles north on U.S. Highway 67, then travel 16 miles east on U.S. Highway 60.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA
Heading to PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA?
No central reservation system listed for PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232420) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA?
From Poplar Bluff, Missouri, go 7 miles north on U.S. Highway 67, then travel 16 miles east on U.S. Highway 60.
