Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Doniphan? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Doniphan. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Doniphan's most popular destinations.
Beaver Lake is 15 acres in size. Primitive camping is allowed but no facilities are provided. It offers a gravel ramp for boat access. The lake has been stocked with channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black bass. 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! Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources. Treat any water found in the area before consuming it. Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered. Pack out all of your garbage.
Dispersed Camping
McCormack Lake Recreation Area is located near Greer Spring and offers good fishing and boating. It is located on paved Forest Road 3155 off of Highway 19. This site has semi-developed picnic and camping facilities. There is hiking at McCormack Lake Recreation Area also. This is a trailhead for the 3.7-mile McCormack-Greer Trail, which ends at Greer Crossing Picnic Area and also connects to Ozark Trail. The 15-acre lake is stocked annually with panfish and bass being the catch of the day. The lake is a non-motorized area; boat motors are not allowed. An electric trolling motor is permitted. There is ample parking for picnickers and fishermen. The campground is primitive with limited picnic tables, firerings and lantern posts. A vault toilet is provided. No water is available.
Traveler
Log yard is a Backwoods camping area on the current river. 4 wheel drive is recommended. You have to cross a creek to get to this location. If the weather moves in. It would be wise to pack up and move out while you can. If the creek comes up, you may not be able to cross it again. There is one good established campsite at this location and 2 not so good ones. The area changes after a flood, and the campsites have to be reestablished. There is a boat ramp at this location that is a favorite hang out of the locals. They will drink, play loud music, and leave trash lay around. This stretch of the current is 25-hp boat territory. There will be boat traffic on the river on the weekends. Log yard is part of the Ozark scenic river ways, which is FEDERAL LAND. You may have an encounter with a forest ranger at this campsite. If you do, they will ask for your info and have you establish a Backwoods campsite. Be respectful and don't upset the Rangers. They don't play in the Ozark scenic river ways. This camp is beautiful and wild. NO CELL SERVICE. If you're lucky, you may see the local elk herd. They reintroduced elk in this area a few years ago. Get out and enjoy what Missouri has to offer
TravelerThe scenery of this dispersed camping area is definitely a five star for the area. Nice view and access to the Current River. Plenty of stars out at night. There is an area of more traditional campground spaces you come across first but the dispersed style spots are further down the road. There’s still a $10/night fee. Even though there are fire rings all along the rocky beach, locals use this area as a boat launch and park their trucks and trailers in the camping areas. The campers who came in late on our last night destroyed the peaceful ambiance; loud kids running all over and pulling branches down from living trees, loud music past quiet hours and most running generators. That downgraded my rating from five stars overall. This would be a great place midweek or off season but definitely not going back during peak times due to the discourteous people.
Traveler
We stopped here chasing the 2024 eclipse. Easy to find. No cost. About 20 parking spaces, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Open for solar panels, but tree cover around the lot. Only about 5 parking spaces are not on a slant. Places in the trees for tents. Absolutely beautiful views up and down the river. A single fire pit on the river’s edge. No road noise to speak of because it is way in the distance and rare at night. Fireflies and owls into the night. Mist on the water in the morning: just beautiful. T mobile service has 3 of 4 bars. There is no apparent Verizon service.
Scout
This area is beautiful and overall I recommend it but we did have trouble finding a flat spot. I think they're only five or six decent spots total. We met a local who warned us of wild pigs that will charge you and a lot of ticks in the forest.
TravelerThere is not much here other than a place to camp for free. There is one two-path logging road suitable for hiking and mountain biking back into the woods. It leads to a T where additional two-path logging road.
Guide
Road can be a little rough in spots after it rains. 1/2 bars with Verizon. Limited spots to set up tent. Only flaw is the sound of traffic.
GuideIt has river access via a boat ramp and "dock". There are several level, clear places to camp with enough room for rv's. The road in is rough gravel and a big rv will be slow going. However, I've seen so good size rv's there. It's free and first come camping. There's a vault toilet. It's otherwise primitive camping. Our group kayaks in during trout fishing trips and have never had a problem finding a place to camp. The Eleven Point River is beautiful and cold. Some of the best outdoor fun for adventurous people.
GuideThis was definitely one of, if not my favorites campsites I’ve stayed at! There is a small campground on by the bathrooms with designated sites, and then dispersed camping on the beach. Super pretty spot and great for swimming, but people are pretty bad about cleaning ups free themselves so quite a bit of litter on the beach. Overall a great stay!!
GuideThis place is like a hidden treasure. lots of space on the bank to have privacy from other campers, the river was blue and super pretty, and the area was very clean. i didnt see litter anywhere. there is no cell service so youll have to drive up the road to ellington to get anything. overall it was a very relaxing experience, i HIGHLY recommend this campsite.
GuideThis site was a fantastic spot hidden pretty far off the beaten path. We had to fjord an overflowing stream that went across the road but didn’t have any trouble in our Jeep Wrangler. When we arrived we saw a couple tents at a site before we reached the water and only one vehicle by the water at the first “site”. We drive along a path past that first site and parked in another partially hidden water access site. It was perfect. Never heard or saw anyone else. Beautiful sunrise hitting the trees and the stone along the opposite side of the river in the morning. Highly recommend. Just be aware you will not have cell service.
ScoutWay back off of a gravel road... There's at least two pull-offs that I've seen, I'm sure there's more. Disperse camping no facilities but it's nice back here... Fire pit... Not much company & free
TravelerIt was a little barren this time of year, I mostly had the beach site to myself, other than what I image was a group of high schoolers who came to party. They were loud and rowdy for about an hour then packed up, though not without driving by my tent and yelling a couple f**k you’s at me while I was trying to sleep.
However the site was very nice and is exactly as described in the previous review. There was a lot of litter on the beach.
TravelerThere is a small designated campground above the river bank sites described in the other review. The site typically costs 5 dollars a day but a sign up at the campground says fees are waved due to less services for COVID. Pit toilets, dumpster, and water all on site but not at each camp. Great spot to car camp.
GuideThis area has access to the shores of the current river. No campsites, just the open rocky shores. You can park right on the shores and set up camp. Beware! The gravel settles if wet and many trailers and campers have gotten stuck here. 4wd is recommended. While their are no amenities, the location is beautiful. Very secluded
Traveler
Have camped here several times. Very primitive with only vault toilets. If you want seclusion in a beautiful setting this place is for you.
GuideA really nice place to get away to , has a big rock pad with a rope swing and a great place to dive in
TravelerStumbled across this site in September (2016). It's way back on a little dirt road past some farm land and homes.
Only a few campsites, no picnic tables, a fire ring, some heavily shaded spots, a couple sites right on the river (but none are far away). You feel like you are in the wilderness! Water is crystal clear and cool, didn't see another camper all weekend. Had a few folks using the boat ramps, but otherwise very private.
Great stargazing on the beach and you'll see some bats too! Think they really helped keep the bugs off us all weekend, barely had any problems with those.
Seriously beautiful campsite, and near some excellent floating & gorgeous springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Doniphan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Doniphan, MO is Beaver Lake Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Doniphan, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Doniphan, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
