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Several primitive tent camping areas surround Eldon, Missouri, located in the heart of central Missouri. Scrivner Road Conservation Area and Fiery Fork Conservation Area offer tent camping options with basic amenities and river access. These conservation department-managed lands provide free camping areas that serve as gateways to Missouri's natural landscapes, positioned within reasonable driving distance of Eldon.
Tent campsites in the region typically feature minimal development, with most offering fire rings but limited other amenities. Drive-in access is common at locations like Pikes Camp and Osage-Tavern Access, though gravel roads may require careful navigation during wet weather. Most tent camping areas provide vault toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Seasonal variations affect camping conditions, with summer months drawing more visitors while spring and fall offer more solitude but potentially muddy conditions. Cell service varies significantly between locations, with several sites having limited or no connectivity.
The conservation areas provide opportunities for nature observation, fishing, and hiking. Fiery Fork Conservation Area features mowed tent sites with concrete picnic tables and hammock-friendly trees. Many locations offer direct river access for fishing or wading. Privacy levels depend on timing and location choice. A visitor noted, "Far from any city noise or roadway, there's two camp areas with many sites that are mowed/maintained with fire pits. Lots of beautiful hammock friendly trees, river access, and creek beds to play in." However, several locations experience issues with previous campers leaving trash behind. Some primitive tent sites become crowded during summer weekends and holidays, making weekday visits preferable for those seeking solitude.
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $10 / night
"Has a shaded grassy area for camping. No power vault toilets. Be prepared for some neighbors and young visitors through the night."
from $36 - $50 / night
Check Availability"When I arrived, I noticed that there were a ton of beautiful primitive trails besides the well-constructed boardwalks. And I also learned that there were even more caves, such as Connor's Cave."
"Great trails for biking and hiking and the creek is perfect for cooling off. However, this place can get really really busy."
"Quiet, secluded Missouri Department of Conservation Area with free, designated camping near the road."
"My brother and I stayed here for a guys getaway, it’s a remote area with a restroom and fire pits. Accessible via most vehicles as all roads are rocked. You will not need 4x4 to get out 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.
TravelerWe stayed at Camp Takimina on our first shakedown trip with our Popup camper. It was amazing. It was about 5-10 minutes from I-70, super easy to get to. The camp was quiet, private, and peaceful. There are no hookups, but water was right next to us near the parking lot, and the picnic tables near the lodge were shaded most of the day. Portapotties were clean and well stocked. We brought our dog and two children and the had an absolutely fabulous time! We hiked a lot in the woods, played in the creek, and had plenty of time and space to figure out our new to us popup camper. There aren't actual spots for to park in, it is just a big gravel lot with a couple designated areas for campers if the lot is full (it wasn't full at all). We reserved Arrow Hill also, which is a huge site right next to the parking lot, so we had a campfire ring to cook on. Most of the firepits have benches that surround them, which was very handy not to have to move chairs around all the time. The tent sites were huge- easily would fit multiple tents at each site, and we will absolutely be back to tent camp, and with the popup too!
ScoutWe stayed in our rv while riding the Katy trail easy check in process. Free use of washer and dryer. Shower was great. Felt super safe here. Nice and quiet. Would definitely recommend to anyone. I noticed bicycle tent campers here and on a rainy night they were able to set up tent in barn to stay dry.
GuideSite 36 with 30A & 120V. Public Water Spigot about 50’ away. No Sewer or Water connections at Raccoon Ridge. Plenty of dead kindling and wood around to burn. Asphalt drive with concrete pad. Picnic table, fire/grill ring, hook post w/ recycle bag attached. BEST Site is 38 which puts trailer door parallel with a 180 lake view. Heavy wooded with shared paths to lake or cove. Marina is within 1 mile by water or 15 minutes by car. Ice, Beer and necessities at Puddle Jumpers Bait Store about 10 minute drive. Hosts were great and did cleaning daily. Showers and Dump Station at top of hill few hundred yards away. Let shower water run about 3 minutes before the warm water kicks in. Swim beach is on other side of cove or about a 5 min drive. Dump Station has 4 Waste Holes, two Non-potable water spigots/hoses and one Fresh Potable Water hose and both sides have slight incline on dump tank side. Downtown Warsaw is about 15 minutes away with tourist antique shoppes, bars, ice cream shoppes and the historic Joe Dice Suspension Bridge. The Truman Dam is about same distance away. T-Mobile service with 2-3 bars, no WIFI; but HotSpot worked for ROKU. Keep food and bait inside as raccoons rule at night. Be CAUTIOUS of Red Ticks that are VERY tiny… you’ll want plenty of DEET! Flies were biting like crazy, some mosquitoes and LOTS of May Flies. You’ll see Bald Eagles, raccoons. deer, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, turtles and FISHING near wooded edge of cove is Bass and Crappie haven!!! Also Geocaching near by!!!
We will return and hopefully get site 38!
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
TravelerJust got back after 2 days there. Sites are spaced a good distance apart, nice clean lots with fire ring, picnic table and 30 amp. The flush restrooms are cleaned everyday and very nice. I picked site 69 which overlooks the lake and was less than 30 yards from water edge. Site very from 100% sun to 100% shade so you have a lot to choose from. Highly recommend it to anyone will will be back soon.
Guide137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys
LegendArrived Wednesday evening and had the spot to myself. There’s a stocked vault toilet, 2 camping spots with fire rings and a boat ramp. very simple but works! No other amenities available. It’s about 2 miles off the interstate and very peaceful. You’re surrounded by farm lane and wildlife. There’s a river at the site but didn’t explore it any. I came after a day of rain so the fire areas were flooded but the actual pull in spot was nice and dry!
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.
The tent camping areas around Eldon, Missouri offer primitive outdoor experiences with limited amenities in a wooded landscape. Most conservation areas provide vault toilets and designated camping spots while requiring campers to pack in drinking water. The gravel roads accessing these sites can become challenging during wet periods, with several locations requiring navigation of creek crossings that may flood after heavy rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: Paydown Access provides direct river access for anglers. "Camped here in early March. Beautiful, very secluded, and we were the only ones there," reports one visitor at Paydown Access.
River activities: Multiple conservation areas provide stream access for wading, fishing or launching watercraft. At Pikes Camp, visitors appreciate the "great little river access" with "a shaded grassy area for camping."
Wildlife observation: The conservation areas harbor diverse wildlife. Amanda from Fiery Fork Conservation Area notes: "We were able to see some wildlife while staying there as well. Armadillos, deer, and a few different bird types could be found easily."
Hammock camping: Several locations feature suitable trees for hammock setup. Whitney L. mentions Fiery Fork has "good hammock trees" among its amenities, along with "flat-level surface" for traditional tent setup.
Solitude during off-peak times: Weekdays and non-summer months offer quieter camping experiences. Nick G. states: "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."
Budget-friendly options: The conservation areas provide no-cost camping opportunities. Shannon M. appreciates that Fiery Fork is "a nice place if you're on a budget and just need a get away."
Shade coverage: Most tent sites around Eldon feature tree coverage. At Scrivner Road Conservation Area, Josh S. found "an abundance of wildlife equestrian trails and hiking" in this "Swiss Army knife of rugged off the path camping."
Creek exploration: Beyond the rivers, smaller waterways provide recreation opportunities. Multiple reviewers mention creek beds for playing and exploring during summer months when water levels are appropriate.
Road conditions: Several access roads require careful navigation, especially in wet conditions. Chrischelle N. advises: "I recommend smaller RVs due to the 2 miles of gravel and high water areas you go through to get there."
Trash management: Pack-out policies are in effect as most sites lack trash collection. At Osage-Tavern Access, Casey notes there's "1 bathroom and place for trash" but most locations require carrying out your own waste.
Limited cell coverage: Network connectivity is minimal or nonexistent at most sites. Erick H. warns campers to "be prepared to have no cell signal...had to drive a couple of miles for a signal. That is with Spectrum I believe they use Verizon."
Seasonal flooding: Water crossings can become impassable after heavy rain. Jenny D. cautions: "If the waters too high, there's a bridge into the site that could be flooded so watch the weather."
River beaches: Some water access points feature sandy areas ideal for children. Amanda found 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."
Site selection: For families, sites away from boat launches tend to be quieter. At McCubbins Point, the "public boat ramp" area can become busy and potentially less suitable for young children.
Pest protection: Tick prevention is essential during warmer months. Erick H. warns about "ticks galore" at conservation areas, suggesting appropriate clothing and repellent for children.
Distance from facilities: Plan accordingly for limited amenities. Most sites feature only vault toilets, requiring families to bring all necessary supplies including drinking water.
Size restrictions: Large RVs are not recommended on the gravel access roads. Chrischelle N. specifically advises "smaller RVs due to the 2 miles of gravel and high water areas" at Fiery Fork Conservation Area.
Generator considerations: While some campers use generators at conservation areas, the proximity of sites can create noise issues. Josh S. observed at Pikes Camp that visitors should "be prepared for some neighbors and young visitors through the night."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for varied terrain at primitive sites. Most tent camping areas near Eldon lack formal RV pads, with several reviewers mentioning the need for leveling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eldon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eldon, MO is Scrivner Road Conservation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Eldon, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Eldon, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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