Fourche Creek RV Park and Riding Trails offers fifty campground sites accommodating equestrians near Doniphan, Missouri. The campground provides electric hookups, water connections, and sewer facilities specifically designed for RV camping with horses. Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings where fires are permitted. The campground maintains toilet facilities, trash collection, and shower amenities for guests. Horse owners appreciate the direct access to riding trails from the camping area. Reservations are required for equestrian campers planning overnight stays with their animals.
Located within driving distance of the Irish Wilderness and Turner's Mill areas, the campground serves as a central hub for regional trail riding opportunities. The Eleven Point River area provides additional natural terrain for experienced riders. Trail conditions vary seasonally with the best riding typically available during spring and fall months when temperatures are moderate and trail surfaces are firm. Firewood is available on-site, eliminating the need to transport wood from outside areas. The pristine waters of nearby springs offer natural water sources during trail rides, though riders should carry sufficient water during full-day excursions. The small camping area with only a few sites ensures a more private experience for equestrians seeking less crowded trail access, with the crystal clear spring waters providing excellent natural stopping points along riding routes.
"You can access it from the river and it is a short walk and well worth it"
"Well worth the walk or float, such a beautiful place it used to have a big sycamore tree we could swing off of or jump out of , the old rock damn / bridge is still there and a nice place to take pics"
$43 - $50 / night
$15 - $52 / night
"We enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion."
"There are 2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them."
"River access and super close to stream/cave/waterfall area. Water from the cave is so fresh and clear! Truly a beautiful area!"
"going here and it is great , there is great trout fishing and several real good swing holes the campsites are right beside the river which is really nice , the only issue is the restroom is a little walk"
"Plan around hitting the two springs on both legs of the 20 mile loop. car camping available at the camp 5 pond trailhead (no water available). BRING A GPS!"
"I love the shaded tent campsites and easy access to firewood, boat dock and open area perfect for large family gatherings"
"I hiked from McCormack Lake to here, which is only about 4 miles (unfortunately, though, some of the trail is quite overgrown.) However, most people just park at their campsite."
"There is a horse next to the camp sites and it's just so beautiful. Float launches from the campground, so convenient. "
"You can drive to Greer Spring that is a spring that comes out of a cave. It was in Backpacker Magazine as well. This has been my favorite river to float down so far."
$14 - $50 / night
"Ggreat area to walk"
GuideWe enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion. They have equestrian trails as well and we got to see horses while floating too. The water was crystal clear and we even found quartz in some rocks in the water.
GuideIf you want to see the wild horses of Shannon County, this is the place to stay. Right on the Jack's Fork, so beautiful. New bathrooms, but everything else is primitive. Equestrian sites down the road in both directions. $10 a night!
Guide$10 per night, firewood, ice, and more amenities on site. The owner is so nice. His dog Lil' Dan also slept with me. There is a horse next to the camp sites and it's just so beautiful. Float launches from the campground, so convenient. Close to Grand Gulf, Greer Spring, Mammoth Spring, and right on beautiful highway 19. I will be back soon!
RangerCampground Review
I was very excited to finally get to check out Sam A. Baker State Park as I had heard great things about beautiful land. The drive to the park was very pretty indeed, my husband and I enjoyed the view on the way in. My first impression upon entering the park was that this place is huge! There are 2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them. There is also a visitor’s center were you pay for your campsite, a camp store that sells all kinds of things, a small restaurant, equestrian campsites, cabins, and an equestrian trail. We set up our tent in a basic site with no electricity, which was nice that it put us a little bit away from RVs and campers. The sites are very close together and even on one of the hottest weekends of the year the campgrounds were full! They do allow advanced reservations and I would definitely recommend them in the summer. The basic site cost $13/night and was close to a shower house with flushing toilets and a water spigot. Since it was such a hot weekend, Saturday morning we decided to the 4 mile float the campground offers. They depart at 10am or 11 am from the boat ramp at campground 1. They have a bus that picks you up at the end at either 2pm or 4pm. We paid $40 for our canoe for the afternoon. It was nice to float a different river, but the St. Francois (at least near Sam A. Baker) was pretty murky and you couldn’t see your feet in about knee-deep water. There were also tons of trees down in the water, making it a more technical trip at some points and even requiring us to get out and portage our canoe for about 25 yards. Although the price for the float was decent, the distance was very short (without stops, it would take about 1.5-2 hours). I think next time I would choose to just play and relax in the river near the campground rather than do that float again. The park also has some backcountry trails with backcountry campsites and is near the Ozark Trail. My husband and I really wanted to explore the trails and see if it connected to the Ozark Trail, but because of the heat the weekend we were there we didn’t get a chance to. Most of the trails are shared use, meaning foot and horse, which is never great for the hikers on foot. We wanted to be able to see the true condition for ourselves, but I guess that will have to wait until next time!
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Product Review: Snapbuds
As a Dyrt Ranger, I get the honor of reviewing products from time to time. This trip I got to highlight Snapbuds. They are a magnetic earbud cord organization system. If that sounds complicated, they are. They are a series of magnets that you clip around your earbud cords so that when you wrap up the cord it stays in place. This is to prevent the inexplicable phenomenon that is setting down your earbuds perfectly coiled, not touching them, then finding them in a yarn ball like knot the next day. They certainly do help with that problem. However, I have noticed since I am now coiling my earbuds the same way each time, they get twisted up after a few uses. The set up process is not entirely intuitive. You lay your earbuds on the provided guide and tape them down. Then you snap the buds in the locations of the wrap you want to achieve. Once the buds are placed, they are not supposed to be able to be moved, but you can pry them back open with a fingernail or slide them down with a bit of force. I found that the indicated placement to wrap around your hand or phone was not where they should line up for my hand or phone once I placed them. This required me to remove or slid each bud. Since they are magnets, if your cords are slightly twisted and the buds line up so the poles of the magnet don’t attract, you have to flip them and it doesn’t look as nice. Also, the magnet will be attracted to anything metal, so when using these at my desk, I have to be careful around my laptop. The buds do add a little weight to your earbuds, but it’s not bad. I did find that wearing the earbuds with snapbuds on them while running was a little annoying, since you have magnets hitting you in the chest with each stride. After each use you have to careful wrap the cord to match up. All in all, I don’t feel like this a worthwhile solution to the problem. At $10 per set, I feel like I would just rather continue to coil the cord at my leisure and keep them in place with an old hair clip.
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GuideJust spent the weekend with my family at Sam A Baker (SAB). We stayed at campground 2. Spot 145 and had plenty of shade and space. There are two traditional camps and one equestrian. The park is crowded but that’s because of how great it is. Lots of paved walk/bike trails around the park. If you forget your bike no problem you can rent one for $5 a day! The visitors center was neat. The general store has everything you need and a restaurant attached where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. We spent some time on the gravel bar which was a short walk from our campsite. The water on Big Creek was clear, shallow, and not too cold. I would recommend this state park to any family looking to camp.
GuideEquestrian sites are never hardly used and we have came on all major holidays. Electricity is only every other site which sucks if your trying to camp with friends. Have to use the human camp ground showers vault toilets in camp area. Love the trails but river crossing can be hard to find. Always shaded spots. There’s camp store and you can float trip or go play in river.
GuideGreat park. I did the backpacking with 1 night of hammock camping. They have 3 actual tent shelters on the trail but it is over grown by #3 there’s also aquatic trails so be ware of the horses.
TravelerSuch a scenic park. Beautiful at every turn. Well kept, lovely staff and has something for everyone. Cabins, camping, hiking, river, floating, horses, you name it. Amazing place! GO!
LegendThe state park is located in southeastern Missouri was a disappointment to us on our visit. The campground, while large and spaced out, was a little bit on the trashy side. The facilities were dated and the park state were not the most pleasant. There are several trails in the park that look challenging but we chose to move on.
The Doniphan area offers diverse terrain for equestrian camping with elevations ranging from 300-1,500 feet throughout the Ozark highlands. Located near the Missouri-Arkansas border, this region features crystal clear springs feeding into the Eleven Point River system. Seasonal temperatures vary significantly with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing.
Explore spring-fed waterways: Near Turner's Mill, visitors can witness unique geological features. "Beautiful secluded area. Small (only 3 or 4 sites). River access and super close to stream/cave/waterfall area. Water from the cave is so fresh and clear!" notes camper Kaylee D.
Kayak the Eleven Point River: The area features multiple access points for paddlers of varying skill levels. At Boze Mill Float Camp, Michael D. reports, "I have never camped here but visit when kayaking. You can access it from the river and it is a short walk and well worth it." The camp offers primitive sites with river access.
Seasonal trail riding: Fall offers optimal conditions for horseback riding with moderate temperatures and reduced insect activity. When exploring the Irish Wilderness, Tony R. advises, "BRING A GPS! The trail is very easy to lose and after 20+ miles you'll want the comfort of knowing where you have been/are going!"
Fishing opportunities: Local waterways provide excellent angling for multiple species. Glen T. mentions at Greer Crossing, "We have our family reunion here and it is beautiful, has a great boat dock and swimming area and for the brave of heart at times you can jump off the bridge."
Historical structures: Many campers appreciate exploring old mill ruins. About Turner's Mill, Ashley W. notes, "Awesome mill you can climb on and awesome spring that makes individual pools."
Swimming holes: Natural water features provide cooling relief during summer months. Charlotte B. shares about the Eleven Point: "Great place to go primitive if the weather is right and no matter the weather, the water is beautiful. Our favorite time to go is in the fall when the leaves begin to change."
Trail navigation challenges: Wilderness areas require proper orientation skills. In the Irish Wilderness, Tony R. recommends a "fun 2 day (three if you need it) hike through whites creek loop. Plan around hitting the two springs on both legs of the 20 mile loop."
Seasonal insect activity: Bug populations peak during summer months. Charlotte B. warns, "I do suggest lots of bug spray. For some reason, I always get eaten up by mosquitos in this area."
Weather variability: Conditions can change rapidly in this region. John K. from Sam A. Baker State Park recalls, "We spent four days at the park with friends during the higher rain and very, high river. I have never seen the river through the park so high to the top of the banks."
Water crossings: Many trails involve stream crossings. William M. describes Boze Mill: "This is a float camp along Eleven Points river. This one is accessible by 2 miles of gravel road. Several dedicated camp sites that each have fire ring, shepherds hook, picnic table."
River safety precautions: Establish clear water boundaries for children. At Sam A. Baker, Kevin B. notes, "Beautiful view. You can sit in the cool clear water and relax. Great place for kids. Park is well maintained."
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Seek shallow sections with gentle currents. Ashley W. says about Richard's Canoe Rental & Campground, "I'd suggest making the trip without kids the first time to judge your skill level. It's a bit fast and deep at the beginning."
Equine-friendly campgrounds: Several horse campgrounds near Doniphan, Missouri accommodate families with riding animals. Elisha P. recommends planning carefully: "This is a great place to start your 11 point river trip! Stop here to rent your canoes or kayaks and get dropped off wherever."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning moments. Glen T. shares about Turner's Mill: "I grew up going here and it is great, there is great trout fishing and several real good swing holes the campsites are right beside the river which is really nice."
Limited big-rig access: Many equestrian camping areas around Doniphan restrict larger vehicles. At Richard's Canoe Rental & Campground, Stephanie W. notes, "We stayed in the primitive camping section but were informed there are also cabins available. Our site was just what we needed with a Rim fire pit and a couple of picnic tables."
Shuttle services: Utilize local outfitters for transportation assistance. Stephanie W. continues, "Richards definitely catered to us as we decided at the last minute to take another float and they jumped right in and made it happen for us. The convenience of having your own vehicle waiting for you after a long day of floating is worth every dime you pay for it!"
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on specific needs. Delanie J. reports, "$10 per night, firewood, ice, and more amenities on site. The owner is so nice. His dog Lil' Dan also slept with me. There is a horse next to the camp sites and it's just so beautiful."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Doniphan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Doniphan, MO is Boze Mill Float Camp with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Doniphan, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Doniphan, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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