Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
Campground · Iowa · 24 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 24
- Bookable sites
- up to 6
- People per site
- 608 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.
Recreation
If you are looking for a few nights of good old fashioned camping, then Bulger’s Hollow Recreation Area is your stop. With 23 non-reservable campsites, 17 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, this park is small in size but offers one of the best views of the Mississippi. This campground offers primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. As a reminder, campers have a 14-day camping limit, within a 30-day period. The camping area is open from May 15-October 15. The boat ramp and day use areas are open year-round. Camping is not the only attraction to the area. Bulger’s Hollow also offers a boat ramp, playground equipment and picnic sites for a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.
Fishing Opportunities: Bulger’s Hollow offers a gravel boat launch for access to Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. A popular launching site for local fishermen, you can easily find a honey hole for an afternoon of fishing. Directly in front of the campground is a field of lily pads that are ideal for fishing. You can also take a short trip up or down river to a find a calm backwater slough for hours of casting.
Facilities
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area offers 23 non-reservable campsites, 14 RV sites and 9 tent camping sites, primitive amenities, such as drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. Other facilities in the park include a boat ramp, playground, and picnic shelter.
Natural Features
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife, boat, fish, and camp. It sits along the Mississippi River, 7.5 miles North of Clinton, IA off Highway 67. You'll have to travel about 1 mile on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it.
Nearby Attractions
- Lock and Dam 13, Fulton, IL
- Eagle Point Park, Clinton, IA
- The Sawmill Museum, Clinton, IA
- Wide River Winery, Clinton, IA
- City of Clinton Showboat
- Clinton Lumberkings Baseball, Clinton, IA
- Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, IA
- Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center, Clinton, IA
- Windmill Culture Center, Fulton, IL
- Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL
Charges & Cancellations
As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.
The facts
- 24 bookable sites
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Campground
Site types
- 24 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, grills, shade.
24 campsites at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| Campsite 1 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 10 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 11 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 12 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 13 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 14 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 15 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 16 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 17 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 18 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 19 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 2 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 20 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 21 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 22 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 23 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 3 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 4 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 5 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 6 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 7 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 8 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 9 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — |
Getting there
The address to Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is 4686 170th Street, Clinton, IA 52732
From Clinton, IA:
- Take Highway 67 North for 6.5 miles
- Turn right onto 170th Street
- Travel 1 mile and the entrance to Bulger's Hollow will be straight ahead.
41.93513, -90.18422 · 41°56'6.5"N 90°11'3.2"W
Typical weather
Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 29°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 29 | 34 | 46 | 59 | 71 | 81 | 84 | 82 | 76 | 63 | 48 | 35 |
| Low °F | 14 | 17 | 28 | 40 | 51 | 62 | 65 | 63 | 55 | 43 | 31 | 21 |
| Precip in | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
The "Scan & Pay" way to pay for your campsite is easy to use. However, once payment is made on-site; know that we do not offer refunds or modifications.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area?
- Yes, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area have?
- 24 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area.
Camping near Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
- Thomson Causeway 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Blanding Landing 26.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fishermans Corner 27.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Clarks Ferry 45.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shady Creek 49.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Grant River 56.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Preservation Foundation 36.8 mi · Facility
- The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium 45.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 815-259-3628
- Email mvrodmn13@usace.army.mil
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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