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Special-Use Area

at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

shelter and restrooms in the special-use areawater symbolVault Toilet Symbol

 

The special-use camping area is designated for group camping, with nonprofit organizations and youth groups having priority. It is divided into four separate camping areas. A full-service restroom with flush toilets and hot showers is available during the on-season. 

The fee for use of the area is $2 per person, per night. To reserve an area for your group, call 573-546-2450, ext. 1000.

Area 1: holds approximately 50 people

  • Shelter
  • Fire pit
  • Picnic tables

Area 2: holds approximately 15 people

  • Picnic table
  • Fire pit
  • Lantern post

Area 3: holds approximately 15 people

  • Picnic table
  • Fire pit
  • Lantern post

Area 4: holds approximately 10 people

  • Picnic table
  • Fire pit
  • Lantern post

Park Hours

Park Hours

Weather

Check Weather

Coordinates

37.559167, -90.870556

Park Hours

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, visit our Park and Site Status Map.

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Jan. 2, 2023; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Valley Day-Use Area

The main park gates open and close at these times.

  • March 1 through the Wednesday before Memorial Day
    8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
  • Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
    8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily
  • Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31
    8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
  • November through February
    8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily

Park Office hours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed Saturday and Sunday

Store - Campground hours

April 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. to noon Sunday
Closed Monday through Thursday
When the store is closed, firewood may be purchased with only cash or check near the campground store.

Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Tuesday after Labor Day through Oct. 31
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. to noon Sunday
Closed Monday through Thursday

November through March
Closed – Firewood may be purchased with only cash or check near the campground store.

Store - River hours

April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday through Thursday

Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday through Friday

Nov. 1 through March 31
Closed

Visitor Center - Black River Center hours

April through October (on-season)

  • April
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
  • May through Wednesday before Memorial Day
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
  • Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
    10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
  • Tuesday after Labor Day through September
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
  • October
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

November through March (off-season)

  • Closed

Gatehouse - Day-Use Area hours

Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day 
Hours determined by park superintendent