U.S. Forest Service · Mark Twain National Forest · Missouri

McCormack Lake Recreation Area

McCormack Lake Recreation Area is surrounded by maple trees. Hiking - There is hiking at McCormack Lake Recreation Area. This is a trailhead in McCormack Lake Day Use Area for the 1.07-mileMcCormack Lake spur trail, which connects to the Eleven Point River Section of the Ozark Trail and the Lazy C Trail. Fishing and Boating - The 15-acre lake is stocked annually with panfish and bass being the catch of the day. During the warm months the vegetation in the lake can make fishing and boating difficult. The lake is a non-motorized area; boat motors are not allowed. An electric trolling motor is permitted. There is ample parking for picnickers and fishermen.

Open nowFirst-come, first-servedFreeTents only

More like this: first-come in Missouri · free in Missouri · tent only in Missouri · accessible sites in Missouri

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
FeesThere are no fees.
AccessibilityLantern posts and picnic tables are accessible

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
SeasonJanuary to December
ForestMark Twain National Forest
FeesThere are no fees.
RulesDay Use Boats are allowed, only electric motors are permitted on the lake. No motorized vehicles permitted on trail system. No motorized vehicles beyond posted signs. Campground Fireworks are prohibited. Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas. No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground.

Mark Twain National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near McCormack Lake Recreation Area30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 2.96 inches of precipitation, 1.7 inches of snowFebruary: 3.39 inches of precipitation, 0.8 inches of snowMarch: 4.45 inches of precipitation, 0.9 inches of snowApril: 4.66 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.57 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 3.31 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.01 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.92 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.46 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.77 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 4.44 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 3.29 inches of precipitation, 0.8 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 33.1°F averageFebruary: 36.9°F averageMarch: 46.0°F averageApril: 56.0°F averageMay: 64.5°F averageJune: 73.4°F averageJuly: 77.1°F averageAugust: 76.1°F averageSeptember: 68.1°F averageOctober: 56.5°F averageNovember: 45.0°F averageDecember: 35.8°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Alton, 9 miles from the campground at 813 feet, station USC00230127 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 4 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates36.8217° N, 91.3523° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearAlley Spring Store ↗22.8 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗23 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.1 mi
    Ozark Trail - McCormack Lake ↗
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_recreation_or_other
  • 0.3 mi
    Lazy C Trail
    1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1.5 mi
    Greer Rec Area Spur
    1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.1 mi
    Ozark Trail Mo-19 Spur
    0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.4 mi
    Greer Spring Trail
    0.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 2.5 mi
    Greer Mill Trail
    1 mi trail · hiking

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Mark Twain National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Guidebooks for Missouri

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping - Missouri and the Ozarks
    Steve Henry, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-trails Iowa & Missouri
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • The Ozarks: 43 spectacular hikes in Arkansas and Missouri
    Jim Warnock, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at McCormack Lake Recreation Area?

No. McCormack Lake Recreation Area is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Forest Service

How much does it cost to camp at McCormack Lake Recreation Area?

Nothing. McCormack Lake Recreation Area is listed as free. There are no fees.

Source: Forest Service

Is McCormack Lake Recreation Area open right now?

Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season January to December.

Source: Forest Service status

Can I bring an RV to McCormack Lake Recreation Area?

McCormack Lake Recreation Area is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

Are there accessible sites at McCormack Lake Recreation Area?

Lantern posts and picnic tables are accessible.

Source: Forest Service

What if McCormack Lake Recreation Area is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Greer Crossing Recreation Area (2.2 mi, first-come), Fourche Lake Recreation Area (20.7 mi, first-come), and Watercress (22.2 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby