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If you enjoy nature, try taking a hike-in camping trip in Missouri. These campsites are way off the beaten path and have gorgeous views. Find the best information on hike-in camping in Missouri, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience.

Missouri

The Best Hike-In Camping in Missouri

If you enjoy the outdoors, it's time to embrace the wild and go with a hike-in camping experience near Bates Creek Camp. Plan your hike-in camping trip, pack light, and use Leave No Trace principles to build fire rings at your next campsite. Find the best campsites in Missouri that are perfect for walk-in camping!

Bates Creek Camp

The Best Hike-In Camping Near Bates Creek Camp, Missouri

## Overview

The Council Bluff Recreation Area is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. The Wild Boar Campground and sheltered picnic area, available for individual families or large groups, is next to the largest lake in the Mark Twain National Forest. The area provides ample opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming and more.

## Recreation

Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, but all boats on the lake must operate at a no-wake speed. Visitors can access the water via the two boat ramps located at the lake.   
  
Canoeing, swimming and fishing are also available. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of freshwater fish, including bass bluegills, catfish and crappies.   
  
The 12-mile Council Bluff Trail encircles the lake, with spurs to the campground. Hikers can enjoy scenic views of the lake and a look at the Mark Twain wilderness.   
  
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Council Bluff Lake and the nearby Enough Fields provide upland game opportunities. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the heavily wooded area.

## Facilities

The Wild Boar Ridge Campground offers multiple single-family, large group and walk-in sites, available for tent and RV camping. Each is equipped with tables, lantern posts and campfire rings or campfire circles, with grills.   
  
The large group sites can accommodate up to 50 people and a nearby picnic pavilion can hold up to 75. The pavilion is paved, with a roof overhead and is equipped with multiple tables and grills.   
  
Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Electricity is not available, but some sites will accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.   
  
The beach provides accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers. A small play area with a slide and climbing structure is adjacent to the beach.

## Natural Features

Located in southern Missouri, the Council Bluff Lake was created by a dam across Big River. It is 440 acres in size and 87 feet deep in some places.  
  
The Chapel Hill Beach is at the eastern end of the campground and provides 54,000 square-feet of sandy beach. Visitors can either walk or drive to the lake. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is located just west of the recreation area.

Council Bluff Recreation Area

Berryman Trail & Campgrounds - Mark Twain National Forest

Backcountry Primitive Campsite next to a water source with a fire ring. All garbage must be carried out

Big River Primitive Campground

St. Joe State Park

Many people enjoy the solitude and peaceful experience of camping away from large groups of people. Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!

Picking a Campsite

If you are going to an area where others have camped, pick a site that's been used before. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines:

Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass.
Camp 100 feet away from any water source - plants near water and water sources are fragile.
Camp 100 feet away from any administrative site (Trails, Recreational Areas and/or Building).
Campfires

Many wildfires are caused by human activity, including escaped fires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed UNLESS there are fire restrictions in effect-know before you go!

Use camp stoves when possible
Use existing fire rings if they exist; NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED.  
When ashes are COLD and DEAD OUT, scatter outside of the campsite before you leave.
If you don't bring wood, collect only dead/downed wood. Please never cut any live trees.

FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park offers basic, walk-in campsites and two special-use camping areas. The campsites allow for tent camping only. Pop-up or other trailers are not allowed.

Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is no showerhouse or dump station. Water and a vault toilet are available in the camping area.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

Ozark Outdoors 

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Onondaga Cave State Park

Pine Valley at Dillard Mill is nestled on 40 private acres in the heart of the Ozarks. It is your gateway to the Mark Twain National Forest and Historic Dillard Mill. We offer indoor lodging, glamping, and (primitive camping sites under construction). Swim the crystal clear waters of the Huzzah Creek, hike the Mark Twain National Forest, fish our private pond, and picnic on the banks of beautiful Dillard Mill. Currently renting a Cottage and two ‘silver bullet’ RV’s, complete with comfy bed, including linens and towels, AC, Heat, hot & cold potable water, showers, flushing toilets, fully equipped kitchens, outdoor grills, fire rings, free firewood - everything to make it a wonderful glamping experience. Check our website for more info DillardMill.com



Pine Valley at Dillard Mill 

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, St. Louis, MO is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. St. Louis is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near St. Louis and user-submitted reviews.

St. Louis

The Best Camping Near St. Louis | Missouri Campgrounds

Looking for the best campgrounds near Springfield, MO? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Springfield, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Springfield, MO. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Springfield

The Best Camping Near Springfield, Missouri

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Independence

The Best Camping Near Independence, Missouri

Central Missouri has a surprise for outdoor enthusiasts: It’s home to some of the best camping in the state. Near Columbia, MO, there are a number of conservation areas along the Missouri River. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is minutes from the city and offers a fun and educational experience for children and adults. There are plenty of scenic trails to hike, bike, or explore on horseback. The park is home to fascinating natural features, including a cave system, and is one of the many opportunities to explore the outdoors near Columbia. A number of campgrounds are located around the city with amenities and campsites to accommodate the type of camping you're looking for, whether you want to stay closer or farther from the city lights.

Columbia

The Best Camping Near Columbia, Missouri

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Lee's Summit

The Best Camping Near Lee's Summit, Missouri

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O'Fallon

The Best Camping Near O'Fallon, Missouri

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St. Joseph

The Best Camping Near St. Joseph, Missouri

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St. Charles

The Best Camping Near St. Charles, Missouri

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Blue Springs

The Best Camping Near Blue Springs, Missouri

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Florissant

The Best Camping Near Florissant, Missouri

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Mark Twain National Forest

The Best Camping Near Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

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Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The Best Camping Near Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri

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Harry S. Truman Lake

The Best Camping Near Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri

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Mark Twain Lake

The Best Camping Near Mark Twain Lake, Missouri

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Stockton Lake

The Best Camping Near Stockton Lake, Missouri

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Wappapello Lake

The Best Camping Near Wappapello Lake, Missouri

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Table Rock Lake

The Best Camping Near Table Rock Lake, Missouri

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Cochiti Lake

The Best Camping Near Cochiti Lake, Missouri

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Millwood Lake

The Best Camping Near Millwood Lake, Missouri

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THE BEST Hike-In CAMPING NEARBates Creek Camp, Missouri

Top Bates Creek Camp Hike-In Campgrounds

Council Bluff Recreation Area

Berryman Trail & Campgrounds - Mark Twain National Forest

Big River Primitive Campground

St. Joe State Park

FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

Ozark Outdoors

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Onondaga Cave State Park

Pine Valley at Dillard Mill

About Bates Creek Camp Hike-In Camping

Hike-In Campgrounds in Bates Creek Camp, Missouri

Recent Hike-In Camping Reviews Near Bates Creek Camp

0 Reviews of 10 Bates Creek Camp Campgrounds

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