Best Tent Camping near Ellington, MO
Tent campgrounds near Ellington, Missouri provide a range of primitive and established camping options in the Mark Twain National Forest and surrounding areas. Notable locations include Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground, offering basic tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and Roberts Field Backcountry Camping in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, where dispersed primitive camping is available for more adventurous campers.
Most tent sites in the region feature natural terrain with minimal site development. Many locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration and honor system payment. Vault toilets are common at established campgrounds like Taum Sauk, while backcountry areas typically require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles. Several primitive tent campgrounds including Padfield Branch and Ottery Creek provide free camping but lack amenities. One camper noted, "We stayed in the group site. It is very close to several points of interest - Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob, Elephant Rocks & Johnson Shut-ins." Campers should secure food in vehicles overnight, as wildlife activity, particularly raccoons, is frequently reported.
Walk-in tent sites at Taum Sauk Mountain feature designated, level tent pads that provide comfortable sleeping surfaces surrounded by dense forest. The campground's elevation offers cooler temperatures during summer months compared to lower-elevation areas. Many backcountry tent campsites in the region serve as ideal basecamps for hikers accessing the Ozark Trail system. A visitor commented that "the campsites were nicely spaced, most have a lot of shade, each has a picnic table and a place to make a fire." Tent campers particularly appreciate the sense of solitude at most sites, even on weekends when the more remote campgrounds remain uncrowded. Spring and fall camping offers pleasant temperatures and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities across the region's tent camping areas.
