Best Dispersed Camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
The Ozark St. Francis National Forests have plenty of spots for dispersed camping throughout their wooded hills. You can camp pretty much anywhere in the forest that's not marked as restricted, but you'll need to haul in your own water and supplies. Forest rules require setting up camp at least 100 feet from any streams, lakes, or hiking trails. There's a two-week limit on stays, which helps keep areas from getting overused. During summer and fall dry spells, fire bans often go into effect, so check with ranger stations before planning to cook over an open flame. Many of the better camping spots require driving on rough dirt roads - I wouldn't take a low-clearance vehicle back to most areas. Pack everything out that you bring in, as there are no trash cans in these remote spots. The complete lack of facilities means planning ahead for bathroom needs and water filtration. Most dispersed sites are just flat spots where others have camped before, often marked by old fire rings. Know the boundaries between national forest and private land, which can sometimes be confusing without a good map. These primitive sites give you real quiet that's hard to find at developed campgrounds. Weather in the Ozarks can change quickly, especially in spring and fall, so bring extra layers and rain gear even for weekend trips. Cell service is spotty at best throughout most of the forest.
