St. Louis District News Releases

14th Annual Ben Sapp Memorial Shed Antler Hunt for Youth

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

14th Annual Ben Sapp Memorial Shed Antler Hunt for Youth at Mark Twain Lake December 12, 2025, Mark Twain Lake – Are you looking for a new outdoor adventure? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake in partnership with the Monroe City Whitetails Unlimited Chapter, the Mark Twain Lake Visitors and Educational Resource Center Committee, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain State Park are proud to announce the return of the Annual Ben Sapp Memorial Shed Hunt for Youth. This event will take place on Saturday, February 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center.

FIREWOOD CUTTING AT MARK TWAIN LAKE

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

November 14, 2025, Mark Twain Lake– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that firewood cutting for personal use will be allowed by permit on designated areas of Mark Twain Lake. The cutting period will begin on November 15, 2025 and continue through February 29, 2025. Please be aware that firewood cutting areas may close for short durations during this period to accommodate hunting seasons, inclement weather, and ground conditions. Areas available for firewood cutting are as follows beginning November 15: Frank Russell Recreation Area(near fishing pond), South Fork Recreation Area, Robert Allen Recreation Area and Hunter/Fisherman Lot #26. These areas contain designated trees which are located along the roadway leading to the recreation area or H/F lot. Additional firewood cutting areas in recreation areas and hunter/fisherman access areas will become available throughout the cutting period depending on demand, weather conditions, and ground conditions. Check with the Mark Twain Lake Facebook page or future news releases to determine status. The fee for a firewood permit is $10.00. Permits and maps can be obtained by visiting the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center at 21629 Hwy J, Perry, MO 63462, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Permits may also be requested by emailing a photo of the paid receipt from the kiosk outside the Visitor Center to marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil. Credit card or debit card are the only forms of payment accepted. Firewood cutting for commercial use or resale is prohibited. For further information, contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office, 20642 Highway J, Perry, MO 63462, or telephone (573)-735-4097.

Small Business Industry Day at Mark Twain Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Small Business Industry Day at Mark Twain Lake

ANNUAL TURKEY HUNT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Press Operations — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

March 7, 2025 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Paris Lions Club have scheduled the Annual Turkey Hunt for disabled persons, which will be held at Mark Twain Lake. The hunt will take place during the 2025 Missouri Spring Turkey season on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the Indian Creek Recreation Area. The hunt will be restricted to permanently disabled (non-ambulatory, semi-ambulatory) individuals who have a valid 2025 Missouri spring turkey tag and a hunter safety certification card.

Summer Student Employment Available at Mark Twain Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is currently seeking applicants for summer positions for the upcoming 2025 recreation season. Successful candidates will need to begin immediately after the spring 2025 semester and continue until the start of the fall 2025 semester. This will involve working a 40-hour per week schedule, including day shifts, night shifts, weekends, and holidays. The application deadline for this announcement is February 21, 2025.

Mark Twain Lake Announces Review Period for Draft Project Master Plan

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Mark Twain Lake announces the review period for the final draft of the Project Master Plan is January 24, 2025 through February 23, 2025 The Master Plan is available on the project website at https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/ Recreation/Mark-Twain-Lake/Master-Plan-Update/.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20.

13th Annual Ben Sapp Memorial Shed Antler Hunt for Youth at Mark Twain Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

January 14, 2025, Mark Twain Lake – Are you looking for a new outdoor adventure? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake in partnership with the Monroe City Whitetails Unlimited Chapter, the Mark Twain Lake Visitors and Educational Resource Center Committee, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain State Park are proud to announce the return of the Annual Ben Sapp Memorial Shed Hunt for Youth. This event will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center.

FIREWOOD CUTTING AT MARK TWAIN LAKE

Press Operations — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that firewood cutting for personal use will be allowed by permit on designated areas of Mark Twain Lake. The cutting period will begin on November 4, 2024 and continue through February 28, 2025. Please be aware that firewood cutting areas may close for short durations during this period to accommodate hunting seasons, inclement weather, and ground conditions.

WATERFOWL REFUGE AND NO HUNTING ZONES

Press Operations — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages a waterfowl refuge on the Middle Fork and Elk Fork branches on Mark Twain Lake during the waterfowl season. The refuge provides approximately 3,000 acres of habitat for migratory waterfowl to feed and rest before continuing south towards their wintering grounds.

Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

Press Operations — Mon, 08 May 2023 19:11:00 GMT

As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water. Tragically, people lose their lives while visiting USACE-managed lands and waters every year. Most of the tragedies are water related. The public’s help is needed to reduce the number of fatalities at the more than 2,800 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide. USACE personnel stress the importance of water safety year-round when talking with visitors, but especially during the summer season because that is when most public recreation fatalities occur.

Public Meeting – Salt River Re-Regulation Dam/Lake Sturgeon Releases

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:00:00 GMT

April 14, 2023, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake invites everyone to the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center on April 20, 2023, at 6:00 pm for a public meeting to discuss lake sturgeon relative to the Salt River/re-regulation dam.

New Guardrail Systems on Mark Twain Lake Boat Ramps

Press Operations — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 16:00:00 GMT

September 27, 2022, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is announcing the temporary closure of four boat ramps to improve visitor safety. The South Fork, Indian Creek West, Stoutsville, and John F. Spalding Boat Ramps will be receiving new guardrail systems. The closures are necessary to facilitate removal of the old guardrail and installation of the new guardrail. The temporary closures are as follows:

Corps Extends Camping Season for Some Sites at Mark Twain Lake

Press Operations — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 16:00:00 GMT

September 25, 2022, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Mark Twain Lake has announced an extension of the camping season for some sites due to increased public demand. To accommodate the increased need for campsites, the Ray Behrens Campground sites 48-116 in Little Bluestem and sites 117-157 in Cedar Ridge will all be available for reservation through October 24, 2022.

Tickets Required for Indian Creek Halloween Walk 2022

Press Operations — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:00:00 GMT

September 19, 2022, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is announcing that the Indian Creek Halloween Walk admittance will be by advance tickets only. Tickets are $5.00 per vehicle. The Indian Creek Halloween Walk for 2022, is scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2022 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, October 22, 2022 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

Two St. Louis District lakes awarded fish habitat improvement grants

Press Operations — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:33:33 GMT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District’s Lake Shelbyville and Mark Twain Lake were recently awarded the National Fish Habitat Partnership Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open Grant to improve fish habitats at the respective project sites. The projects funded through this opportunity are high-priority focus areas of the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership. The grants received in the St. Louis District include more than $167,000 to improve aquatic habitat within reservoirs at Mark Twain Lake and Lake Shelbyville."

Reservations for the Annual Halloween Walk

Press Operations — Tue, 10 May 2022 16:00:00 GMT

News Release 22-19, Mark Twain Lake May 10, 2022 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is excited to announce the annual Halloween Walk will be held Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, 2022, in the Indian Creek Campground. Camping reservations for camping participants, campsites 66-177, will open on June 1, 2022, at 9:00 A.M. CST. You must decorate your site to camp in the event area. Please remember this is a family-friendly event, so plan your decorating ideas accordingly. Gates to campsites 96-177 will be closed to pedestrian traffic during the event. All other areas will be open for vehicular traffic. If you have any questions, please call us prior to reserving a campsite.

Temporary Closure of Robert Allen

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Mark Twain Lake, March 18, 2022 – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers announces that the Robert Allen Recreation Area will be closed to public use beginning March 21, 2022 through April 4, 2022. The area will be closed for approximately two weeks to accommodate public safety. The area will be undergoing roadway repairs related to erosion sustained from fluctuating lake levels.

Frank Russell Campgrounds Upgrades for the 2022 Camping Season

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Mark Twain Lake, March 18, 2022 – The Frank Russell Campground will be undergoing 56 full-service campsite upgrades. Campsites 1-60 within the Frank Russell Recreation Area will be closed for the 2022 camping season and will undergo water and sewer upgrades. The Equestrian campsites 61-67, Frank Russell Pond, Joanna Trail access, and Frank Russell Archery Park will remain open. Access into the Joanna, Clear View, and Flint Ridge loops will not be permitted as this will be an active construction site.

Mark Twain Lake Campgrounds Open Soon

Press Operations — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake has announced the opening date for campgrounds is April 1, 2022. All sites are reservable and you will need a reservation prior to setting up on a site. You can make reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Additional campground loop opening/closing dates are listed below.