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Clearwater Lake Contact Information

Contact Clearwater Project Office

Location

Clearwater Project Office

6501 Wayne Route HH
Piedmont, MO 63957

Phone Numbers

Project Office: (573) 223-7777

Email

ceswl-cw@usace.army.mil

Clearwater Lake - Recreation Activities

Clearwater Lake Recreation Activities

A wilderness lake destination offering pristine waters, diverse outdoor recreation, and exceptional natural beauty in Missouri's Ozarks.

HIKING TRAILS

5+ Miles

SWIMMING AREAS

4 Beaches

FISH SPECIES

Multiple

BOAT LAUNCHES

12 Ramps

Boating

Year-round boating with 12 launch ramps and 3 full-service marinas

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Clearwater Lake provides great opportunities for boating. You see boats out on the water year round. During the cold months of the year, fishing boats are about all you see. However, during the summer months the lake comes alive with activity.

Popular Water Activities

Water skiing and tubing
Canoeing and kayaking
Riding wave runners (personal watercraft)
Fishing from boats
Leisurely cruising

Crystal Clear Waters: The cool, clear water provides relief from the hot summer sun and excellent visibility for all water activities.

Marinas & Services

3 Marinas run by private concessionaires provide:

Fuel and supplies
Boat services and repairs
Equipment rentals
Convenience items

Launch Ramps

12 Public Ramps are scattered around the project for easy lake access.

Note: Launch ramps located in Webb Creek, Bluff View, and Piedmont Park require a day use fee.

Fishing

Excellent crappie fishing plus bass, bream, catfish, walleye and carp

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Renowned Crappie Lake: Clearwater Lake is well known as an excellent crappie lake, attracting anglers from across the region.

Fish Species

Crappie - The lake's specialty
Bass - Largemouth and smallmouth
Bream - Bluegill and sunfish
Catfish - Flathead and channel catfish
Walleye - Both in lake and below dam
Carp - Common carp
Paddlefish - Below the dam (managed with Missouri Department of Conservation)

Fish Shelters

Fish shelters are placed in the lake in various areas to enhance habitat and improve fishing opportunities. A map is available with the locations of these shelters online or you may contact the project office at (573) 223-7777.

Below the Dam

Visitors fishing below Clearwater Dam may find walleye and paddlefish, which are managed in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunting

Permitted on project lands - deer, turkey, quail, squirrels, rabbit, and doves

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Hunting is permitted on project lands around Clearwater Lake. A proper license must be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Important Reminder: Hunting is NOT permitted within recreation areas. Please refer to the Clearwater Lake Map for authorized hunting areas.

Game Species

Deer - Abundant population, popular hunting destination
Turkey - Spring and fall seasons
Quail - Upland bird hunting
Squirrels - Gray and fox squirrels
Rabbit - Cottontail rabbits
Doves - Mourning doves

Special Hunts

Clearwater participates in special hunting programs:

Mobility Impaired Deer Hunt - Annual event on project lands
Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt - Annual event for veterans

Licensing Required: All hunters must obtain proper licenses from the Missouri Department of Conservation before hunting on Clearwater Lake project lands.

Hiking Trails

Multiple nature trails through Ozark forests with scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing

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Several hiking trails are located on the Clearwater Lake Project. These trails provide scenic views and the chance to see a large variety of wildlife. Deer, squirrel, and turkey are just a few of the types of animals that can be found along the forested trails.

Bluff View Nature Trail

0.6 Miles Moderate 30 Minutes

Location: Trailhead near the restrooms in C-section of Bluff View Park

This trail offers a picturesque view of the lake and river valley. The trail is rated moderate in difficulty.

Note: This is a foot trail only - no bicycles allowed.

Black River Nature Trail

0.8 Miles Moderate 30 Minutes

Location: Accessible from River Road Park

This trail winds its way through oak-hickory hilltop woods alongside the Black River. Several locations provide benches to rest and lookout platforms for a bird's eye view of the river.

Connections: This trail gives access to two other trails - the Bottom Land Forest Trail and the Blue Heron Slough Trail.

Bottom Land Forest Trail

1 Mile Moderate

Location: Near River Road Park

This scenic trail weaves its way through a bottomland forest with cane breaks and a warm season grass field that is scattered with cactus to a bluff overlooking the Black River.

Blue Heron Slough Trail

0.3 Miles Moderate

Location: Accessible via Black River Nature Trail or by canoe/kayak

If you're quiet you may view great blue herons, wood ducks, and turtles in this old river channel pond. A wildlife food plot is at the end of this trail.

Webb Creek Nature Trail

0.2 Miles

Location: Inside Webb Creek park

This trail meanders through an oak/hickory forest and connects the campground with the swim beach. This trail is on an Ozark hillside, making it a quick hike downhill from the campground to the beach.

Watchable Wildlife Area: The Black River Nature Trail, Bottom Land Nature Trail, and Blue Heron Slough Trail are all part of a series of trails that wind through our Watchable Wildlife Area. This is a wildlife reserve area, with food plots scattered throughout, to provide an ample supply of food for the animals to thrive on.

Black River Hike & Bike Trail

3.25-mile paved trail perfect for biking, jogging, or leisurely strolls

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The Black River Hike and Bike Trail is a 3.25-Mile gentle paved and gravel trail that winds through the bottomland hardwoods and pines along the Black River below Clearwater Dam.

Trail Features

Surface: 10-foot wide paved and gravel path
Uses: Perfect for biking, jogging, or leisurely strolls
Time: Entire trail takes about 1.5 hours to walk
Accessibility: Gentle terrain suitable for most fitness levels

Trail Access Points

You can enter the trail at 5 Locations:

Main Trailhead: River Road Park on the southeast side of the park
Location 2: Just east of Clearwater Store on Highway HH
Locations 3 & 4: Overflow Camping Area at the ponds below the dam (2 entry points)
Location 5: Watch for signs on Highway HH below the Dam

Recommendation: Enter the trail at the overflow camp area off of HH highway between Memorial Day through Labor Day if it is a weekend or you are not a camper.

Natural Features & Wildlife

The trail offers a great diversity of views and natural features:

Great Blue Herons standing in water willow along the Lower Black River
Pine plantation in the interior of the trail
Giant River Cane stands along the Black River
Deer, turkey, and other wildlife (especially early morning or late afternoon)

Rest Facilities

Rest benches are located along the way for hikers to take breaks and enjoy the scenery.

Trail Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Trail Rules:
• No litter - carry out what you bring in
• Hikers and bicycles only
• NO motor scooters or all-terrain vehicles allowed

Swimming

Four designated swim beaches - perfect for cooling off on hot summer days

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4 Swim Beaches are available at Clearwater Lake, providing perfect places to cool off on a hot summer day.

Beach Locations

Webb Creek - Designated swim beach with day use facilities
Bluff View - Swimming area with campground access
Piedmont Park - Popular swim beach near dam
Highway K Park - River swimming area

Day Use Fees: A fee of $5 per carload is charged for use of the swim beaches, or you may purchase an annual day use pass.

Safety Reminders

Swimmers are reminded to:

Swim and wade only where familiar with the water depths and bottom
Swim in the company of others - never swim alone
Avoid diving - water depths can be deceiving
Be careful of overestimating your swimming ability
Watch children closely at all times
Avoid boat channels, launching ramps and docks
Remember horseplay in the water can result in injuries

Water Distances Are Deceiving: Remember that distances across water appear shorter than they actually are. Don't overestimate your swimming ability.

Picnicking

Facilities available in all parks with shelters, grills, and scenic locations

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Picnicking facilities are available in all the parks around Clearwater Lake. Many are located near playgrounds and swim beaches, making them perfect for family outings.

Available Facilities

Picnic tables - Throughout all parks
Grills - For outdoor cooking
Group shelters - Perfect for family gatherings
Covered stone fireplaces - At select locations
Electricity - Available at group shelters

Park Locations with Picnic Areas

Piedmont Park
River Road Park
Bluff View Park
Webb Creek Park
Highway K Park

Family Traditions: Family gatherings are held year after year in our group shelters. These shelters have electricity and grills, with some featuring covered stone fireplaces for added ambiance and cooking options.

Nearby Activities

Many picnic areas are conveniently located near:

Playgrounds for children
Swimming beaches
Boat ramps
Hiking trails
Scenic overlooks