Mark Twain National Forest

Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area

Pinewoods Lake was built in the late 1970s to provide fishing and other recreation opportunities. It is located adjacent to Highway 60, 2 miles west of Ellsinore, Missouri. Campground is closed. There is NO DRINKING WATER available.

Area attractions:

Campground: Campground is closed.

Picnicking: Open year-round, with a managed season of May 15 through October 15. Sites include 1 pavilion, 1 individual covered picnic table, and several other tables, with wheelchair access for most. There is NO DRINKING WATER available – please bring your own. Barrier-free vault toilets are centrally located. Horseshoe pits – bring your own horseshoes. No Day Use Fee except for the Pavilion. The Pavilion has 2 large grills and is available for groups of up to 75 people. Reserve for the Pavilion are $34.00 per day via Recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Fishing: 31-acre "managed fishery lake", featuring bass, sunfish, and catfish. Pier is barrier-free.

Boating/canoeing: Concrete boat launch avilable for launching small watercraft. Electric motors only.

Hiking: 1.3-mile Pinewoods Lake trail is barrier-free for 3/4-mile. Circling the lake, the trail provides views of the lake, access to wildflowers, and links fishing and picnic areas.

How to get here:

From Poplar Bluff, MO take Highway 67 north for 7 miles, then go west on Highway 60 for 16 miles. Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area is 2 miles west of Ellsinore, MO.

Open Year-Round for Day Use Activities only. No overnight camping. Day Use areas are closed 10PM to 6AM.