Best Tent Camping near Clearwater Lake

Tent Camping Reviews near Clearwater Lake

553 Reviews of 33 Clearwater Lake Campgrounds

• N

  N I.

  Legend

  Jul. 12, 2021

  Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Memories of Days Gone By

  The people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States.  A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.

  Big Springs was Missouri's first state park.  The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there.  In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore.  Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160.  Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring.  The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.

  The campground is large and open.  Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together.  Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer.  There is a dump site.  During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric.  If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area.  The tent site area is large and open to the sun.  Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.

  There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.

  The Ranger programs are well worth checking out.  Take advantage.

  The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers.  You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.

  Have Fun - Stay Safe

  Leave No Trace

  Better Than When You Found It

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• S

  Scherry D.

  Traveler

  May. 26, 2022

  Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

  Dry camping dispersed NF campground

  There are 15 paved sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and a pole to hang a lantern. Some sites are double width. There are two (nice & clean) vault toilets, one in the campground near the entrance and the other at the day use/boat launch site, no electric, water, dumpster or garbage. Pack it in and pack it out. There's a 1.3 mile paved trail along the lake and a dock. There is some noise from 60 but it's hardly noticeable. My time here has been quiet except for some drunken yahoos one night.

  The only negative is there are a lot of ticks! They are easy to spot on my white dog but I have to do a tick check every time he goes outside, and I always find some. Avoid the vegetation and you'll see less. Make sure you check yourself.

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• P

  Phil B.

  Scout

  Jun. 20, 2021

  Beaver Springs Campground

  Really Nice

  A really nice smaller privately owned campground that still has all of the perks. Pool, clean bath house, ice, fire wood, etc. Bordered by a spring branch and just a mile from Clearwater lake access. Has several cabins and one RV for rent. Tall pines and cottonwood trees throughout. Owners are great people and work relentlessly keeping the place maintained.

• M

  Madelyn H.

  Traveler

  Oct. 11, 2020

  Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

  Gorgeous in the Fall

  My group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn’t get enough of the front-row lake view! The sites closest to the lake are very level, and everyone in the campground is only a short walk from the cleanest park restrooms I’ve ever seen. If you’re like me and are just doing basic tent camping, I’d recommend a pop-up canopy for the table area since there is not a lot of tree cover in those sites. Overall, an excellent place to camp!

• 

  Mike V.

  Ranger

  Aug. 3, 2016

  Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground

  Camping, hiking, sightseeing, & birding at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in Missouri

  Gave this campground a 5-star rating, but it probably should only be a 4 star. It only has about 12 basic tent campsites, no water or electrical at the sites. The campsites were nicely spaced, most have a lot of shade, each has a picnic table and a place to make a fire. No trailers allowed at camp sites, just tents. There is one or two special-use camping areas that can be used for groups such as boy scouts, etc. It appears you can pay in advance and reserve some campsites, so that you be sure to get one for your trip. I went in late May on the Mon-Tue of-after Memorial Day weekend and was able to find an available campsite even though I did not have a reservation. Camping fees/rates were posted on a board near the restroom building by the honor system camping fee pay station.
  The restroom bldg only has pit toilets, not flush toilets. But they were cleaned very well by the workers on the 2nd day I was there. Also worth noting is that there is water faucet an a drinking fountain next to the restroom bldg, so you can get fresh water if needed. OK, so this sounds normal to average, so why give this campground a good rating? Because of location to the great stuff near-by on this mountain.
  Missouri's High Point is here on this mountain. There is a very nice overlook w/ viewing platform w/ handrails very close to the campground. Some awesome hiking trails are worth checking out, although they are a bit rugged in places where you could twist an ankle. One of the trails will take you to a nice waterfall, which is Missouri's highest falls. Note that I would not call it MO's largest waterfall. Further to all of this great stuff is that the birds were plentiful and quite active when I was there. Easy to watch and listen to them at the camping area, and at the overlook viewing platform. Birds were pretty much everywhere. There is also a look-out tower up on the mountain, which is probably used as a fire watch tower. A few pictures attached.

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• L

  Lula L.

  Ranger

  Aug. 31, 2019

  Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

  Peaceful

  Just off highway, it is dispersed camping in a park that no longer charges, blacktop pad, lantern hook, picnic table, fire ring w cooking grate at ea site, vault toilets.

  There was a fire a few years ago so some burned out areas, lots of firewood, small lake for fishing no motorized boats, great hike/walk around lake.  There is a gas station/truck stop near.   Great stop to regroup on a long road trip.

• N

  N I.

  Legend

  Jul. 12, 2021

  Mark Twain National Forest Watercress Recreation Area

  Same - Same Watercress

  Watercress and this campground is the same.  Mark Twain National Forest in Van Buren, Missouri along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. During the 2017 flood there was some damage to a group shelter so be careful walking. The ground is uneven and there are a lot of blocks. Watercress sits along side the Current River and the river is a beautiful emerald green where you can see the bottom. The river is prime float territory whether it be by kayak, boat, tubes, just whatever. On the weekend it will be very busy so prepare for full parking spots. What better way to see an untouched landscape as you float along the river. No need to paddle the river does all the work. 

  First getting to the Watercress was a bit confusing to us. We drove pass the Forest sign and had to come back and start over. On Highway 60 turn onto Business 60 through Van Buren. When you see the National Park Service sign on the left had side of the road you will turn onto Watercress Road. That road will take you right into the park. The day use area will be on the left side and the campground will be on the right. Van Buren is a small town and worth the very short drive to the courthouse. If you love ice cream and amazing burgers stop by the Jolly Cone. It was established in 1953 and still going strong. Our chocolate malt was so thick we had to lick it off the straw. Can't wait to go back. YUM!!! The day we were there the Jolly Cone had sponsored a car show held around the courthouse square. These small towns offer so much history. Stop in. Watercress has 17 campsites for RV and tents. This is a First Come- First Serve. Watercress offers each site with a picnic table and campfire ring. No electrical or water at the sites. Campground is open May 1- October 1. A trash dumpster is located on site during that time frame. Vault toilets and drinking water available. Fees are$10-$20 depending on site or type of pass you have. There is a fee station. The group shelters are not open at this time. The Current River is a beautiful river to boat or float. Great for kayaks or tubes. While on the river drop a line to try your hand at fishing. Catfish, sunfish, bass and walleye. You will find the Songbird Trail for hiking 1.2 miles long to the Watercress Spring. You will even run across a Civil War earthworks on the trail. Boat launch is open and offers vault toilets and trash dumpster.   Sites are large and paved.

  Check out Big Spring while in the area. It is Missouri's largest spring. There are three springs in the United States that lay claim to being the largest in the US and at different times of the year I am sure that each one is the largest. Beautiful spring. 

  Have Fun- Stay Safe 

  Leave No Trace 

  Better Than When You Found It.

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• N

  N I.

  Legend

  Jul. 12, 2021

  Watercress

  Joy on the Twain

  Mark Twain National Forest in Van Buren, Missouri along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway.  During the 2017 flood there was some damage to a group shelter so be careful walking.  The ground is uneven and there are a lot of blocks.

  Watercress sits along side the Current River and the river is a beautiful emerald green where you can see the bottom.  The river is prime float territory whether it be by kayak, boat, tubes, just whatever.  On the weekend it will be very busy so prepare for full parking spots.  What better way to see an untouched landscape as you float along the river.  No need to paddle the river does all the work.

  First getting to the Watercress was a bit confusing to us.  We drove pass the Forest sign and had to come back and start over.  On Highway 60 turn onto Business 60 through Van Buren.  When you see the National Park Service sign on the left had side of the road you will turn onto Watercress Road.  That road will take you right into the park.  The day use area will be on the left side and the campground will be on the right.

  Van Buren is a small town and worth the very short drive to the courthouse.  If you love ice cream and amazing burgers stop by the Jolly Cone.  It was established in 1953 and still going strong.  Our chocolate malt was so thick we had to lick it off the straw.  Can't wait to go back.  YUM!!!  The day we were there the Jolly Cone had sponsored a car show held around the courthouse square.  These small towns offer so much history.  Stop in.

  Watercress has 17 campsites for RV and tents.  This is a First Come - First Serve.  Watercress offers each site with a picnic table and campfire ring.  No electrical or water at the sites.  Campground is open May 1 - October 1.  A trash dumpster is located on site during that time frame.  Vault toilets and drinking water available.  Fees are $10 - $20 depending on site  or type of pass you have.  There is a fee station.  The group shelters are not open at this time.  Sites are large and paved.

  The Current River is a beautiful river to boat or float.  Great for kayaks or tubes.  While on the river drop a line to try your hand at fishing.  Catfish, sunfish, bass and walleye.

  You will find the Songbird Trail for hiking 1.2 miles long to the Watercress Spring.  You will even run across a Civil War earthworks on the trail.  Boat launch is open and offers vault toilets and trash dumpster.

  Check out Big Spring while in the area.  It is Missouri's largest spring.  There are three springs in the United States that lay claim to being the largest in the US and at different times of the year I am sure that each one is the largest.  Beautiful spring.

  Have Fun - Stay Safe

  Leave No Trace

  Better Than When You Found It.

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• N

  N I.

  Legend

  Jul. 11, 2021

  Deer Leap

  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.

  Have Fun - Stay Safe

  Leave No Trace

  Better Than When You Found It

  Read More