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Established Camping

Deer Leap

1 Review

Deer Leap is located near Doniphan, Missouri, featuring a landscape of rolling hills and dense forests. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s during winter to highs in the 90s in summer. Nearby attractions include the Current River, offering opportunities for canoeing and fishing, and the Mark Twain National Forest, ideal for hiking and exploring nature.

Description

US Forest Service

Mark Twain National Forest

Currently, NO Water is available at this time due to flooding. The Deer Leap Recreation Area is situated on the east bank of the Current River and provides primitive camping, a boat launch and floater access/tuber launch. Deer Leap Campground has seven (7) campsites; each with a fire ring, table and lantern post. Other amenities include: water, vault toilet, and launch facilities. The Deer Leap Boat Ramp provides launching capabilities for motorized and non-motorized boats with ample parking. There is also a vault toilet located at the boat ramp. The Tuber Launch is temporarily being operated at the end of the campground, and is a popular put-in for floating the Current River. This access is also shared with outfitter/guides. Limited public parking is allowed in the launch area. Most private floaters take out below the bridge in Doniphan at the public boat launch, and outfitted floaters take out at the outfitter’s private launches in Doniphan. This float takes about 5 hours.

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Location

Deer Leap is located in Missouri

Directions

In Doniphan, MO, off State Rt. 160/21, take State Rt. Y north 4.6 miles to campground sign (Forest Rt. 4349). Turn onto Rt. 4349 and go 1.5 miles to campground.

Coordinates

36.67500065 N
90.8870004 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
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AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 33 min from Jonesboro
1 hr 52 min from Cape Girardeau
2 hrs 28 min from Paducah
2 hrs 35 min from Memphis

N I.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Leaping Lizards, it's Free

Five miles north of Doniphan, MO on State Hwy 160 Hwy Y head north for about five miles take a left on Forest Road 4349. Continue down and veer to the left to go to the boat ramp and day use area. Go right to the Deer Leap Campground.

ON the east bank of the Current River you will find dispersed camping. There are seven campsites with fire ring, table and lantern post. No trash service but there is a pit toilet and water. Campsites are First Come, First Served. No fireworks allowed.

The campground and boat launch is located in the Mark Twain National Forest under the Eleven Point Ranger District. The district is named after the Eleven Point River which was designated a National Scenic River in 1968. The Eleven Point District provides a plethora of fishing, tubing and all kinds of boating options.

Take the time to float some of the rivers for a vision of rocky bluffs, springs, birds, wildlife and local vegetation. You are permitted to camp on the gravel bars found along the rivers and there are several primitive float camps while you are floating.

There are so many activities that go hand in hand with fishing and tubing such as horseback riding, hiking, hunting, mountain biking and just gazing at the stars.

At the launch site there is limited parking for floaters. You can launch tubes, motorized and non motorized boats here. There is also a pit toilet. Be very careful because on the fourth the area was very crowded. There is a vendor in the area to rent tubes and kayaks and provide shuttle service.

The water is so beautiful, clear and moving along. The clear, green water has the power to entice just about anyone to dip their toes in. Remember that during the summer this river will be very crowded but even with the crowds there was more than enough room. During the spring or fall this would be a great to kayak. Floater access in the campground is from 4/1 - 10/1. Boat ramp is open all year.

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Leave No Trace

Better Than When You Found It

Month of VisitJuly