Map showing campground location near Roby, Missouri

Camper submitted image from Paddy Creek Recreation Area

Paddy Creek Recreation Area

Mark Twain National Forest encompasses Paddy Creek Recreation Area, a US Forest Service campground that operates year-round along Paddy Creek near Licking, Missouri. The facility accommodates RVs up to 34 feet on paved parking pads, though reviewers note the spaces work better for smaller rigs due to large boulders lining the sites. Most sites provide direct access to the creek through individual trails, with site 20 offering its own dedicated path to the water.

The campground features vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site, with bear-proof trash cans distributed throughout. No water spigots are available on-site, so campers must bring their own supply. Kura O. notes "access to swimming, fishing, and hiking trails" from the campground. The Big Piney Trail loop passes through the area, making this a convenient stop for hikers. Cell service requires driving uphill from the campground to find a signal.

Sites fill up on weekends, particularly those closest to the creek, so early arrival improves site selection. The spring-fed creek maintains cooler water temperatures year-round. A camp host is present but unobtrusive. Firewood is available for purchase about 15 minutes before reaching the campground, with Dollar General and gas stations accessible in nearby Roby for additional supplies.

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Map & DirectionsPaddy Creek Recreation Area is located in Missouri near Roby

Public Campground

Directions

From Roby, MO take Hwy 17 north 2 miles, turn east on Slabtown Road (formerly Forest Road 7600). Go 6 miles and turn south on Paddy Creek Road (formerly Forest Road 220) for 2 miles to recreation area.

Coordinates

37.55530755 N
92.04234136 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 45 min from Springfield, MO
2 hrs 5 min from Jefferson City, MO
2 hrs 31 min from Columbia, MO
2 hrs 35 min from St. Louis, MO

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Paddy Creek Recreation Area

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the quiet, spacious sites with good privacy and clean facilities, all available through donations rather than fees. The main limitation noted was the absence of water sources throughout the campground.

Jtrav 2.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 22, 2026

Closed with zero explanation

Drove an hour to get there and it was closed without any explanation. Also it’s 15 dollars when it’s open, some reviews on google said it’s by donation.

Site0

Month of VisitMarch

(5) View All

Cheryl M.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2022

Sweet!

Great place to camp. Stayed at site 22. Most sites are well shaded and spacious. Good privacy between sites. Parking pads are short and lined with huge boulders. Worked fine for our 16ft TT big rigs probably not so much. Vault toilet clean and stocked. No fee just donations. Dollar General and a gas station located in nearby Roby. No cell service at cg. Had to drive up the hill to get a signal.

Site22

Month of VisitOctober

Brooke A.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 29, 2022

Great Spot

Great free campground near the river. Volt toilets, trash cans, and picnic tables. All spots have paved pull-in spots. I'd say max length for rigs are 30 feet. I'd stay here again. They have a camp host but they are no bother.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

(6) View All

Lyric O.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 3, 2022

Quiet and secluded

We've been camping here for 3-4years now and we are still amazed at how quiet and secluded it is. We love being able to have an escape from the world and forced to not have our electrons since there is no service. Our first time here we got to experience the amazing raccoons which made for a pretty funny story later. We absolutely love it here.

Gregory

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Great Secluded Campground

I spent the weekend here mid September. It was a nice place. Quiet and secluded. On the creek side, every campsite has trails leading to the creek. There is a vault restroom if needed, each site has a paved parking spot big enough for my truck and 25ft camper. I would say it could fit up to a 35ft trailer. There is a picnic table, Shepard's hook, and a fire pit/grate. I really enjoyed my stay here and will be coming back often.

Month of VisitSeptember

Kura O.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2020

Quiet, easy camping

Nice long weekend in a relatively primitive campsite. Vault toilets were a plus, but no water source that we saw. Access to swimming, fishing, and hiking trails. We were surprised with how many sites were taken up, but there were still quite a few available. Arrive early for a good spot (We stayed in spot 20 which had its own path to the river). Would definitely camp here again.

There isn't much in the 20 miles before you get to the campgrounds, but there is firewood for sale (self-serve) 10-15 minutes before.

Site20 (we think - the numbers were rubbed off)

Month of VisitJune

Martin K.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2019

Beautiful scenery

Quite and peaceful very nice camp sites.

Aaron T.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2019

Primitive camping

Quite, friendly area with very primitive camping. Creek is spring fed so water is always cooler then most creeks.

Josh C.

Scout

Reviewed May. 20, 2019

Great for solitude

$5 recommendation donation for the night. Stayed at this campground as a halfway point hiking the Big Piney Trail loop. Typical primitive campground with toilets, bear-proof trash cans, and camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables, but not much else. Didn’t see any water faucets near our site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at Paddy Creek Recreation Area?

Paddy Creek Recreation Area offers primitive camping with basic amenities. Each campsite includes a fire ring, picnic table, and a paved parking pad that can accommodate vehicles and smaller campers up to about 30 feet. The area features vault toilets that are regularly maintained and bear-proof trash receptacles. There are no water faucets or hookups at the sites, so campers should bring their own water supply. The campground operates on a donation basis (suggested $5), with a camp host on-site who maintains the grounds while respecting campers' privacy.

Where is Paddy Creek Campground located in Missouri?

Paddy Creek Campground is located in a secluded area of Missouri adjacent to a spring-fed creek. It's situated within the Paddy Creek Wilderness area, providing a quiet retreat in a natural setting. The campground is accessible by vehicle and positioned near water recreation opportunities. For supplies, there's a Dollar General store relatively close by. The remote location offers a peaceful camping experience with no cell service, making it an ideal destination for those seeking to disconnect from everyday life.

What hiking trails can I access from Paddy Creek Wilderness?

From Paddy Creek Wilderness, you can access the Big Piney Trail loop, which makes the campground a perfect halfway point for hikers tackling this route. The wilderness area offers hiking opportunities through varied terrain with trails that connect directly to the campground. Many campsites also feature their own smaller trails leading down to the creek, allowing for easy water access and exploration. The trail system provides excellent opportunities to experience the natural beauty and seclusion that makes this wilderness area special.

Are there dispersed camping options in Paddy Creek Wilderness?

While Paddy Creek Wilderness is primarily set up with designated campsites at the recreation area, these sites maintain a primitive, wilderness feel with good spacing and privacy between them. The established sites offer the benefit of amenities like vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables while still providing a secluded experience. Most sites are well-shaded and spacious, offering a wilderness camping atmosphere. For those seeking a more dispersed experience, the sites along the creek side provide better seclusion and direct water access via individual trails from each site.

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Description

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Map & DirectionsPaddy Creek Recreation Area is located in Missouri near Roby

Directions

Coordinates

Connectivity

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Contact

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

What facilities are available at Paddy Creek Recreation Area?

Where is Paddy Creek Campground located in Missouri?

What hiking trails can I access from Paddy Creek Wilderness?

Are there dispersed camping options in Paddy Creek Wilderness?