Best Dispersed Camping near Ellsinore, MO

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Ellsinore? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Ellsinore just for you.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ellsinore, MO (11)

Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Ellsinore

33 Reviews of 11 Ellsinore Campgrounds


  • Joseph A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Remote camp on the river

    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

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful spot, noisy campers

    The 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.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sulphur Springs Dispersed
    Apr. 8, 2024

    Sulphur Springs Dispersed

    Beautiful River site for parking or dispersed

    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.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Beaver Lake Recreation Area
    Apr. 6, 2024

    Beaver Lake Recreation Area

    Ticks, pigs, and limited spots

    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.

  • Mike L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Julian Tower Lookout
    Jan. 3, 2024

    Julian Tower Lookout

    National Forest - Old Julian Lookout Tower site - Tower Removed

    There 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.

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from 34 Bridge Recreation Area
    Dec. 8, 2023

    34 Bridge Recreation Area

    Beautiful view-large creek

    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.

  • Sean A.
    Camper-submitted photo from FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook
    Jul. 31, 2023

    FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    Pretty and Remote (Saw a black bear)

    I'd recommend something AWD or be comfortable with momentum style driving, don't need clearance just need the traction on some of the hills. Once there you see no one, hear nothing and have the place to yourself. Great view. Not large, this is not a multi-car big group place. I'd say 2 small car MAX.

    Saw an adult black bear when we left, only about 0.5 a mile from camp. Ran across the road in front of us. Keep that in mind!

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitten River Access
    Jun. 17, 2023

    Whitten River Access

    Great place for kayakers

    It 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.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook
    Jan. 29, 2023

    FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    Very quiet and remote

    This was a very good location if you want some remote dispersed camping. I went on a Saturday night in January and only saw two people drive the forest service road. One on the Saturday afternoon I arrived and one on the Sunday morning I departed. There is a nice fire pit made of stones on the site and someone left some leveling blocks for your car as well. It had one of the best sunsets I’d seen in awhile. Being that far from civilization, there was no light pollution so seeing the stars and getting some night photos is possible. There was plenty of dead wood around the area so if you don’t bring enough firewood you can round up some.

    One complaint about the site was I definitely heard gunshots in the area. Not sure if there was a gun range nearby or just some other campers further down the road having a good time. Just wasn’t the most comfortable thing since I was solo camping.

    Like the previous review says it’s a 4x4 or AWD gravel road. I would not attempt with any other car.

    AT&T service was spotty - basically nonexistent. So if you’re looking for a place to escape and unwind, this is a great location.

  • Hannah H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 28, 2022

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    One of a kind

    This 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!!

  • Jason F.
    Camper-submitted photo from FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook
    Aug. 12, 2022

    FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    Gorgeous solitude

    This site is accessible by AWD and 4x4 but I would hesitate to attempt it with any other car. The drive to the site from highway 32 is just over 6 miles on a forest service road (2363). There is a beautiful view of the valley to the south west and we were treated to an incredible sunset. Reasonably close to Johnson Shut Ins and Elephant Rock State park. This is a keeper.

  • Malayna F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    May. 21, 2022

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    One of the best spots ive camped at!

    This 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.

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    May. 7, 2022

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Hidden gem

    This 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.

  • Greg H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Beaver Lake Recreation Area
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Beaver Lake Recreation Area

    Nice place, well off the beaten path.

    Way 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

  • Katie B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sunklands Conservation Area
    Aug. 13, 2021

    Sunklands Conservation Area

    Great for those who want to be alone

    This is an olen camping area as it’s in a conversation area. There are no sites you just pick your spot. We had a great time exploring the outdoors- saw no other people and only heard nature and airplanes

  • b
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Jan. 30, 2021

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Great spot to car camp

    It 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.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Good place to stop for a few days

    There 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.

  • Dave N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Log Yard Campground Dispersed Camping

    Camping on river

    This 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

  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cane Bluff River Access
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Cane Bluff River Access

    Love This Place

    Have camped here several times. Very primitive with only vault toilets. If you want seclusion in a beautiful setting this place is for you.

  • Glen T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ozark NSR - Blue Spring
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Ozark NSR - Blue Spring

    Very beautiful

    What an awesome place to see very cold water , camp sites are a little Ricky but manageable, does get to be a very busy spot in the summer



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ellsinore, MO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ellsinore, 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 Ellsinore, MO?

    TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Ellsinore, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.