1 campground with availability next weekend
Tent camping options around Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri include several primitive sites along the Current River within Ozark National Scenic Riverway. Cedar Grove/Dee Murray Backcountry Camping offers tent sites with basic amenities, while Akers Group Campground provides reservable tent spaces for larger groups. Additional options include Misfit Acres with 20 tent sites and Anutty Farm with 10 tent sites within driving distance of the military installation.
Most tent campgrounds in this region provide rustic accommodations with minimal improvements. Cedar Grove features dirt tent pads with basic toilets but no running water. Fires are allowed at most sites, with firewood available at select locations like Misfit Acres and Anutty Farm. The Osage-Tavern Access offers free primitive tent camping with vault toilets but requires campers to pack in their own water and pack out all trash. During summer months, ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent, making proper preparation essential for tent campers.
The Current River provides excellent recreational opportunities for tent campers. Sites along the riverway offer wading and trout fishing access directly from camp. Cedar Grove provides a more secluded experience with riverside tent sites that accommodate small groups. A camper noted, "Great place to camp near the river," highlighting the appeal of these water-adjacent locations. The Akers Group Campground features large, level tent sites with short paths to river access, though reviews mention grass is sometimes unmaintained. Paydown Access provides particularly secluded tent camping, with one reviewer describing it as "beautiful, very secluded" when visited in early spring.
from $25 - $50 / night
from $10 - $20 / night
"Campground is very primitive you have to walk up a large Hill to get to the porta potty and is sometimes noisy with all the floaters but all in all a great place to go."
"My ONLY complaint is that they never seem to cut the grass close to when we come. It's not terrible, just a weedy and a little longer than I'd like it to be for tent camping."
Available next weekend
from $25 / night
"Tent camping late Oct '26. Fire rings, trash bins, toilet. RV and tent but No water or electric. No picnic tables. About 24 sites with fire rings, a few more without. Best to avoid using Old St."
"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."
"The police drove by around 11 pm which had us wondering if some people hang out and party there on occasion. No electric for your camper, but a great spot when the weather cooperates."
from $10 / night
TravelerOctober 2026 - only a drive by to ck things out. Nine sites for tent or RV with fire rings. No water, electric, or picnic tabes. No shade. Lack of shade is why we gave it only 3 stars. Toilet. Camping area well mowed. Area clean. Nice if looking for a more secluded area. No cell signal or 1 bar (T-Mobile) in camping area itself.
TravelerPretty area. Tent camping late Oct '26. Fire rings, trash bins, toilet. RV and tent but No water or electric. No picnic tables. About 24 sites with fire rings, a few more without. Best to avoid using Old St. Thomas Rd, esp if pulling RV. 10+ miles narrow gravel road. Best to come through St Elizabeth. Sites a little close but still plenty of privacy this time of year. Most sites have some shade. Quiet for the most part. Farm road passes behind one side of camping area but wasn't that active. Small amt of noise from farm equip. Some noise from boat traffic but not bad. Not sure how it will be in the summer. Had 4-5 bars with T-Mobile. Plan to use often.
ScoutStaff is great and the location is nice for lake activities although its not on the lake with lake views. Lots of fun campground activities throughout the spring, summer and fall with bands and pot lucks.
Scouta quiet, clean and peaceful campaigning environment. clean amenities. love it
TravelerThe camp sites are full hook up with good size lots. Lots of room for dogs to run. They have hiking trails, lake for paddle boarding or kayaks( free to use on site), mini golf( have to supply own balls they have putters) 9 hole golf course,and Disc golf. The pool and shower house with game rooms are clean and showers open 24/7. Grounds keepers go a fantastic job
LegendA little road noise but otherwise nice. We arrived on Sunday and only a few people camping other than us. Nice clean cool Creek. Was pretty hot when we arrived,so nice to have.
ScoutStopped for a night on the way to AZ from NY. Very nice quiet spot to get some rest.
TravelerLovely setting right by Osage river. Quite a few full time residents but still very nice. Great pool. Bathrooms and showers well kept. Laundry $2 per wash or dry.
GuideWe stopped here for one night on a trip home to Texas from Iowa. The hosts are very kind and helped us get backed in to our spot and set up. Lots of nice amenities and activities! It’s tucked back nicely so it feels very secluded.
Tent camping near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri includes several primitive sites with minimal facilities. The region sits within the Ozark Highlands, characterized by karst topography with limestone and dolomite formations that create distinct valleys along waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
Float trips and river recreation: The Current River provides excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Osage-Tavern Access offers convenient river access with approximately 12-15 primitive campsites directly along the water. One camper notes, "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" (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/osage-tavern-access).
Fishing: The waterways near Fort Leonard Wood support diverse fishing opportunities. At Cedar Grove/Dee Murray Backcountry Camping, one visitor shared their experience: "Nice Scenic remote area, good for wading and trout fishing. It is also a beautiful place to float with the family" (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/missouri-cedargrove).
Hiking and wildlife viewing: Several camping areas connect to local trail systems through the Ozarks. Many sites offer opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species common to the region. The terrain varies from gently rolling hills to steeper ridge trails.
Privacy and seclusion: Paydown Access provides a quieter camping experience away from more developed areas. A camper described their experience: "Camped here in early March. Beautiful, very secluded, and we were the only ones there" (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/missouri-paydown-access).
Large group accommodations: For those traveling with multiple families or larger parties, Akers Group Campground offers spacious sites. A regular visitor explains, "We camp here every year... We stay at group site three which is HUGE, and nice and level. There's a great big fire ring and lots of wood available for gathering" (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/akers-group-sites).
Affordability: Many sites in the region operate on a free or low-cost basis. Osage-Tavern Access provides free camping with basic facilities, making it budget-friendly for weekend getaways from the Fort Leonard Wood area.
Limited facilities: Most tent sites near Fort Leonard Wood offer very basic amenities. McCubbins Point campers sometimes find bathroom cleanliness inconsistent, with one visitor noting, "A bit crowded bathrooms not clean" though they appreciated the "nice cooking spots" (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/mccubbins-point).
Road conditions: Access to several campsites involves driving on unpaved roads. A camper at Osage-Tavern Access reports, "8 miles is dirt but my Nissan Rogue did fine," indicating that while standard vehicles can access the sites, drivers should be prepared for unpaved sections.
Water access considerations: Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, affecting both recreation opportunities and access to some sites. During periods of heavy rain, lower-lying areas may experience flooding. Many sites require campers to bring their own drinking water.
Best times for family visits: Late spring and early fall typically provide moderate temperatures better suited for families with young children. Summer heat and humidity can be challenging, particularly in July and August when temperatures consistently exceed 85°F.
Child-friendly sites: Some camping areas provide better options for families than others. Adventure Outdoors offers both tent and RV camping with amenities like showers and electric hookups that can make family camping more comfortable (https://thedyrt.com/camping/missouri/adventure-outdoors).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fort Leonard Wood, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fort Leonard Wood, MO is Schlicht Springs Access with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Fort Leonard Wood, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Fort Leonard Wood, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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