Welcome to our gallery of photographs taken at Big Bay Campground.
Note: Big Bay campground is now closed.
Big Bay Campground, Mark Twain National Forest
Campground Self Service Station at Big Bay public use area
Ginger booked us this very nice campsite in the Big Bay public use area on Table Rock Lake. The area was very clean the facilities good and the views from the lake shore magnificent.
Campsite #35 Big Bay Campground, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri
All this with the magnificent backdrop of the hills around Table Rock Lake.
Ginger sat in the shade and read, while I threw lures at non-existent fish, stood up to my chest in the warm water of the lake throwing lures at non-existent fish, and just floated around on the lake. It was a very nice way to spend time on a day when temperatures were in the upper nineties.
Super views across Table Rock Lake from the beach of campsite #35.
Super views across Table Rock Lake from the beach of campsite #35.
The view towards our campsite from halfway down the hill to the lakeside.
Table Rock Lake
Table Rock Lake
We decided to invest in a weather alert radio, and it proved very useful, as a set of massive thunderstorms swept through the area. It was a good test of the tent too, with one-and-a-half inches of rain.
We were up early and ventured down to the lakeside to see the sunrise. Fortunately the water was still very warm as I had to wade in up to my waist to get these pictures of two fishermen who were quietly trolling the lake.
We were up early and ventured down to the lakeside to see the sunrise.
In the early morning the water was still and calm providing some excellent reflections.
In the early morning the water was still and calm providing some excellent reflections.
Our Mutha Hubba Tent at Big Bay Campground
Gary sitting by Table Rock Lake at Big Bay Campground
Daddy Longlegs (Opiliones, aka harvestmen)
Broken Shell
Missouri is experiencing a fifty year record drought. When we finally decide to brave the heat and go camping it starts to rain.
Our Ascend kayaks on top of the van, campsite No. 27, Big Bay Campground
Big Bay Campground, Campsite No. 27 view to the east over Table Rock Lake
The wind was kicking up a few breakers
Big Bay campground runs all around the ridge to the right.
Cedar trees provide the shade at Big Bay
Table Rock Lake from Big Bay Campground
We expect raccoons or even bears to try and get our food. We weren’t prepared for hungry squirrels. One bit his way into our food box and proceeded to feast on a loaf of bread. Fourtunately we returned to camp before he got more than a nibble at the bread that was to be the wrapper around by eggs and bacon breakfast the following day.
View from the Tent – Big Bay Campground
Campsite No. 27, Big Bay Campground
The toilet blocks house flushing toilets. In this loop at least, they are in need of some TLC, as they are very scruffy inside and the Ladies only has one functioning lavatory. That said the supplies were in place, they are lit at night and everything was clean.
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Your photos are outstanding. As concessionaire of Big Bay I can tell you that forest service budget cuts are causing this particular campground to run on a shoestring. Only wish we could provide more amenities, but not likely to happen.
It’s so sad that we are losing funding for support of recreational use of our public lands. You’re doing a great job with that shoestring! One of the reasons we started this website is to increase public awareness and use of these wonderful public resources, of which Big Bay is a gem! If enough people know about and use our national, state, and local outdoor recreational facilities then it is our hope that public pressure will lead to increased funding.
And thank you for the kind words about the photographs. We both are pretty passionate about catching the “perfect shot” which always seems to happen when our cameras are locked in a drybox or stuffed deep in our packs. But we keep trying!