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Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

Mississippi River - Pools 11-22, Iowa

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As of October 2026, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a campground in Iowa with 24 campsites. Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is located at 41.9351° N, 90.1842° W.

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
Maximum stay: 14 nights
Minimum stay: 1 consecutive nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

Amenities

restrooms
potable water
dump station

At a glance: Setting: Canyon · Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, wildlife, photography, offroad.

About Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

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.

Rules and notices at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

The Mississippi River Project’s Thomson Ranger Station has gone to a new way to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area. Bulger's Hollow's open fee dates are May 15th through October 15th.

First, you’ll want to download the Recreation.gov mobile APP to your phone prior to coming to the park, then create an account if you don’t already have one, because some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Second, all campsites are on a First-Come First-Serve basis. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment. Credit Card Only.)

Third, all payments will be completed by the customer using their smartphone (Android and IOS) by scanning a QR Code on the site post using the Recreation.gov mobile APP.

Note: You cannot use Recreation.gov the website, to secure your site; you must use the Recreation.gov mobile APP and be at the campground. The Recreation.gov website, however; will have an information page for Bulger's Hollow and you can learn more about “Scan and Pay” by clicking the link on this information page.

All dogs must be on a 6 foot leash and not allowed to roam freely for the safety of other campers and the pet.

Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. Generators are not allowed during this time.

A maximum of 6 campers are allowed per site as well as 2 vehicles.

Practice Leave No Trace Principles

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area?

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 24 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area have?

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area has 24 campsites.

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