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Established Camping

Paddy Creek Recreation Area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Paddy Creek Recreation Area, near Licking, Missouri, is a fantastic choice for those seeking a quiet escape into nature. This campground offers spacious, shaded sites that provide a good amount of privacy, making it perfect for relaxing and unwinding away from the hustle and bustle.

With amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, visitors appreciate the basic comforts while enjoying the great outdoors. Many campers have noted the peaceful atmosphere, with one reviewer mentioning, “We love being able to have an escape from the world.” The creek nearby adds a lovely touch, with trails leading right to the water for swimming and fishing.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, there are hiking trails in the area, and the lack of cell service encourages a true disconnect from daily life. Just keep in mind that there’s no drinking water available, so be sure to bring your own. If you’re looking for a serene spot to camp, Paddy Creek is definitely worth a visit.

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Location

Paddy Creek Recreation Area is located in Missouri

Detail location of 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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Connectivity

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    Verizon
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Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

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


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Reviews

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8 Reviews

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
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Cheryl M., October 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Cheryl M., October 17, 2022
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
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Brooke A., March 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Brooke A., March 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Brooke A., March 29, 2022
  • (6) View All
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.

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
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
  • Review photo of Paddy Creek Recreation Area by Kura O., July 14, 2020
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.

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.