21 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping opportunities near Dixon, Missouri include several primitive sites along rivers and conservation areas. Fiery Fork Conservation Area offers tent campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, while Paydown Access provides basic tent sites along the Gasconade River. Other options include Osage-Tavern Access and Scrivner Road Conservation Area, both offering free primitive tent camping with minimal amenities.
Most tent sites in the Dixon area feature grassy or gravel surfaces with established fire rings but limited other facilities. Vault toilets are available at most conservation areas, though campers should bring their own water and supplies as drinking water is rarely provided. The gravel roads leading to many sites can be challenging after rain, with some areas potentially flooding during wet periods. Campers should prepare for tick exposure, particularly in warmer months. Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required for most conservation area campgrounds.
The tent camping experience near Dixon centers around river access and natural settings. According to one visitor at Fiery Fork, "There were a few campers, but I'd be very surprised if this place isn't loud and packed in the summer." Most sites offer good tree cover for hammocks and shade during summer heat. River access is a primary draw, with many tent sites positioned near the Gasconade River or smaller waterways for fishing, wading, and boat launching. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, creating a true disconnect from urban life. Campers frequently mention the abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer and various bird species, though trash management can be an issue at some of the more popular access points.
"The police drove by around 11 pm which had us wondering if some people hang out and party there on occasion. No electric for your camper, but a great spot when the weather cooperates."
"Has 1 bathroom and place for trash. Right along the river so nice if your looking for water. I arrived at 6 on a Saturday (post labor day) and plenty of sites available."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
"Lots of open space to camp and plenty of area to hike or use an ATV. Also it’s on the river which is nice!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Has a shaded grassy area for camping. No power vault toilets. Be prepared for some neighbors and young visitors through the night."
"It was during deer hunting season and we only had one neighbor that looked to be there for quite a while hunting."
"Other than that the restrooms were well kept up and it was free. I just pulled right up to an established fire pit and pitched my tent."
"This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here."
ScoutVault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience. Had service of at least 2-3 bars entire time. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies.
GuideFredericksburg Access is a free campground with about 10 primitive sites. Grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins. Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night. We even saw a few meteors!
We went on a late July weekend and only 1 other small group was there. It had just rained but wasn't too mucky. Drive was safe in our heavy converted camper van. No off road vehicle or AWD needed.
Ground is very level and not super rocky so this is a great site for tents. There are vault toilets but no sinks nor dumpsters, so plan ahead for hygiene and waste. Toilets are on flat ground, handicap accessible, and gender neutral. Likely to be a much tougher trip if you used to full hook-up RV camping/glamping, or require showers, but perfect for primitive camping!
The region: 45m to nearest Walmart or tractor supply, so plan ahead. Food, fire starter logs, and lighter fuel available at Thriftway (about 30 min), firewood and ice at Casey's, and McDonald's all in Linn (all 30m) if you need anything.
About water access: Sites are all within about a 5 min walk from the boat ramp on the Gasconade. Sign reads "no swimming" but there's a nice gravel bar just downstream from the ramp. If you enter the water, be mindful that boats may pass as you try to cross.
The swim there requires crossing a moderately sized river that is relatively swift. This is fine for people who swim well but not recommended for young children or weak swimmers especially without flotation devices. It is swift enough to carry you downstream of your target even for good swimmers, so plan for this, especially for your swim back upstream (recommend walking upstream past dock then floating back across to dock). It's also deep in the center so you're not going to be able to cross with dry items unless you have a container that is waterproof.
Again, it's a wider and quick river, so we had to help our dog across. Took 5-7 min there and 15 to get back (with dog. Mind the rocky/brush areas just downstream of the dock, saw some snakes.
Scout$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.
LegendPROS
Senior discount
Check-in via text was easy and fast
Beautifully maintained state park
Quiet during week
Pull-thru Site 102 level, concrete pad surrounded by grass
Site sufficient length for trailer and tow vehicle
Metal frame plastic plank picnic table metal fire ring with cooking grate
Dark sky friendly except for campsites 101-106
Trash dumpsters throughout campground 1
Firewood for sale $5 at entrance gate house
Huge park store!
CONS.
1 toilet and 1 shower for 48 campsites in Campground 1. Both door locks did not work. There were lines for the one toilet most of the time!!!
$6.50 Reservation Fee
Site 102 had a wonderful view of the entrance gatehouse that had blaring lights all night, the one lane dump station and a dumpster
Campground 101-106 sites slammed together; our campfire ring was 15 feet from neighbors sewer outlet
Site 102 campfire ring was 2 feet from site unmovable picnic table
No privacy from any other sites
No security overnight gate closures
Would not recommend Park restaurant
Guide137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys
ScoutNice 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.
TravelerStayed here for a weekend during the hottest part of the summer. Most sites have decent shade.
Sites are back-in with a coarse gravel pad. Current bathhouse is adequate, but a new one is being built. New one looks to be about four times the size of the old one.
There is a raised fire-ring and a picnic table at each site. There is firewood available for purchase.
Grounds sit next to a state numbered highway, so access is easy. Don't expect a remote setting. The highway traffic can be distracting if you're used to camping in the woods.
RangerFirst off there is camping here!!!! This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here. First come first serve basic camp area on the river. It has 1 fire ring in a gravel turnaround. Don’t let this fool you. This area has an abundance of wildlife equestrian trails and hiking. Getting too hot paddle on the lake located on the left Forck after entering. The area has a handgun, and rifle range with vault toilets. The pictures speak for themselves. Love this spot and will be planning another trip soon.
GuideWe typically prefer more dispersed-style camping, but this has actually become one of our favorite established sites in the Ozarks. It's VERY family-oriented (probably not for you if you want to party), with tons of games like volleyball and horseshoes, plus onsite programs and activities including scavenger hunts, movie nights, pancake breakfasts, etc.
A little of everything when it comes to sites - there are pull-thru sites, full hookups, basic tent sites, you name it. We tent camped in sites 61-64 (now one huge site, but at one time they were three individual), which directly overlooks the river and sits on a very private corner. The sites on this end are a bit of a walk to the bathrooms/showers and camp store, but also extremely spacious and private.
Great camp store and a large sandy beach with natural swimming holes, plus a seasonal pool. There's even so-so wifi at the store.
Float trips are a big deal here, and Indian Springs offers both boat rentals and shuttle services. We used their shuttling one day, then the second day, I drove my husband up to the put-in (less than 10 mins) and he floated back and took out here. The owners are really friendly and accommodating. Our top choice for float/camp trips, especially when we have our kiddos.
Tent campsites near Dixon, Missouri primarily focus on riverside locations offering primitive camping along the Gasconade River watershed. The region sits in the northern Ozark highlands with elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet and features karst topography characterized by springs, caves, and limestone formations. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity levels, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: At Fiery Fork Conservation Area, the river access provides excellent fishing conditions. According to Amanda, "It's a great place to launch a boat from or just to wade in a bit and fish. Fly fishing can be done easily from the bank or just by wading in a bit."
Wildlife viewing: Conservation areas around Dixon support diverse wildlife. At Fiery Fork, campers report seeing "Armadillos, deer, and a few different bird types could be found easily," notes Amanda. The natural setting provides opportunities for nature photography, especially during morning and evening hours.
Paddling: Multiple access points allow for canoe and kayak trips along the Gasconade River. Casey from Osage-Tavern Access mentions it's "Great spot for water access" and is "Right along the river so nice if your looking for water."
Hiking: Some conservation areas feature primitive trails. The River Glade trailhead at Fiery Fork offers hiking options, though Chrischelle N. warns, "I don't recommend taking it until it gets some maintenance. It is overgrown and HIGH tick contact probability."
Privacy and spacing: Tent campsites near Dixon typically offer good separation between sites. At Fiery Fork Conservation Area, Whitney L. noted, "We could see them with our eyeballs but they were perfect neighbors and we didn't hear a peep other than their generator for a bit." Shannon M. appreciated the "plenty of space between camp sites."
River beach areas: Several camping locations feature sandy or gravel beach areas ideal for wading and relaxing. Amanda shares that Fiery Fork offers "quite a bit of 'beach' at the river access for them to play and see nature."
Budget-friendly options: Most conservation area campsites are free. Shannon M. describes Fiery Fork as "A nice place if your on a budget and just need a get away," while Scrivner Road Conservation Area offers no-cost camping options with access to multiple recreational facilities.
Natural amenities: Many sites feature natural conveniences like shade trees and level ground. Whitney L. appreciates that Fiery Fork provides "shade, grass for dogs to play frisbee, parking right beside your spot, trails, access to the river, good hammock trees, flat-level surface!"
Road conditions: Access roads to many campsites can be challenging after rain. Ry M. notes about Fiery Fork, "The road down was very sketchy for my 2008 Mazda 3." Jenny D. warns, "If the waters too high, there's a bridge into the site that could be flooded so watch the weather."
Trash management: Pack-out policies apply at most sites with limited waste facilities. Erick H. reports at Fiery Fork, "unfortunately there was some spots with trash, especially around the fire. There is no dumpster so be prepared to take your trash with you."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal at most conservation areas. Amanda states about Fiery Fork Conservation Area, "We have AT&T for our cell service and there was absolutely NO service there which was good to get away, but bad in an emergency."
Varying site quality: Some access points provide better camping experiences than others. Casey notes about Osage-Tavern Access, "Probably about 12-15 sites, small, just fire pits. Has 1 bathroom and place for trash," while Pamela B. warns about Rollins Ferry Access, "Unless you enjoy loud noise, drunks, busy traffic, guns being shot off at all hours of the night and a massive cloud of bugs, avoid this campsite."
River access safety: Bring life jackets for children if camping near water. Amanda notes Fiery Fork "would be a nice place to bring our kids since there is quite a bit of 'beach' at the river access for them to play and see nature."
Bathroom facilities: Most sites offer vault toilets but no running water. At Fiery Fork, Amanda observed, "The latrine had plenty of toilet paper which was nice as well."
Tick prevention: The area has significant tick populations during warm months. Erick H. warns simply, "ticks galore!" Consider permethrin-treated clothing and regular tick checks, especially after hiking.
Site selection: Some locations offer more family-friendly setups. At Water Mountain, Caleb G. found "Lots of open space to camp and plenty of area to hike or use an ATV. Also it's on the river which is nice!"
Size limitations: Most conservation area campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. Chrischelle N. recommends at Fiery Fork, "I recommend smaller RVs due to the 2 miles of gravel and high water areas you go through to get there."
Limited hookups: No electric, water or sewer connections exist at most sites. Primitive camping with self-contained systems is necessary, though some RVers bring generators. Whitney noted at Fiery Fork that their neighbor ran "their generator for a bit."
Level parking: Some areas provide better RV parking than others. Josh S. describes Pikes Camp as "Great little river access. Has a shaded grassy area for camping. No power vault toilets."
Seasonal considerations: Spring camping may encounter flooding issues while summer brings crowds. Nick G. observed about Fiery Fork, "I stayed here for a few days in April. There were a few campers, but I'd be very surprised if this place isn't loud and packed in the summer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dixon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dixon, MO is Schlicht Springs Access with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dixon, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Dixon, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
