Mark Twain National Forest

Markham Springs Recreation Area

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Located along the Black River, Markham Springs Recreation Area gets its name from the former owner, M. J. Markham, who acquired the property in 1901 from the DeHavens estate. In the 1930’s, Rudolph Fuchs built the present wheel house to produce electricity for his house. Power was obtained by building a dam in a semi-circle below a large spring forming a small pond. The pond is approximately 2 acres in size and 20 feet deep. Six springs flow into a beautiful blue-green pond producing 5 million gallons of water a day. 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. There is also a bubbling spring; a smaller outlet of Markham Spring outside of the pond area that has air with it, rising in soft sand forming the unique “air bubbles”.

Area attractions:

Campground: 1 loop with 11 electric sites (6 dbl and 5 single) that include a table, fire ring and lantern post at each site, shower building and accessible vault toilet, additional camping loops with grill or fire ring, table and lantern post at each site.

Picnic Area: 15 picnic sites, each with table and pedestal grill.

Trails: River Trail, Canebrake Trail, Bubble Springs Trail and Eagle Bluff Trail.

Boating/Canoeing: Concrete boat launch and parking available.

Fishing: Primarily bass, sunfish, walleye and catfish are available.

How to get here:

From Poplar Bluff, MO, go 14 miles north on Hwy 67. Turn west at Hwy 49 for 9 miles and enter the FS 2997 at the entrance sign.

Open Year-Round (water from May 1-October 1)Camping May 1-October 1

Campsites are $10(single), $18(double). Electric sites are $15(single), $30(double). Day use fee is $2 per vehicle, (Free with Golden Age/Senior or Golden Access/Access or Golden Eagle/America the Beautiful annual passes) or $20 for season day use pass year round.