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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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!"
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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!"
Tips from RVers
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."
