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Shawnee Creek Backcountry Camping in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway offers equestrian camping opportunities with access to the Jack's Fork River. The campground features designated sites for horse owners and provides access to equestrian trails throughout the surrounding wilderness. Wild horses can often be spotted in the Shannon County area, adding to the unique experience for riders camping at this location. Bathrooms are modern and well-maintained, while camping remains primitive in nature. The equestrian sites are positioned separately from the main camping area, accessible by road in both directions from the central campground. At $10 per night, these horse-friendly sites provide affordable access to some of Missouri's most scenic riding terrain.
The surrounding trail system connects riders to numerous natural features and wilderness areas near Fremont. Equestrians access multiple riding routes that traverse the Ozark landscape, with terrain varying from riverside paths to wooded hills. The Ozark National Scenic Riverway maintains several horse-accessible trails that connect camping areas to significant natural features. Water access points along the Jack's Fork River provide natural watering opportunities for horses during rides. Trailer parking is available at designated equestrian sites, though space may be limited during peak seasons. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making weekday arrivals advantageous for securing preferred sites. Trail conditions remain good throughout most of the year, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable riding temperatures and optimal footing.
"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."
"This is really the gem of Missouri state parks. Rv sites are all full 30/50 amp with water and sewer. All spots have plenty of room but are back in. The pads are perfectly level and are concrete."
"Went here hoping to see the wild horses. We didn't see any but still loved this park. Nice hiking trails and clean cool creek to splash in. Will go back again and maybe see the wild horses next time."
from $13 - $34 / night
Check Availability"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"
"The campsites are a little close together but no one was at the one next to us so it did not feel so bad. Staff was very nice and friendly."
"People were wonderful and you are right next to the water. Pickup for float trips is nice too If the facilities are great it would be five stars."
"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"
"We took a last-minute trip on a beautiful weekend in June 2020 to get outside (responsibly) during the pandemic. Two Rivers campground did not disappoint!"
"Be sure to visit the nearby springs and sites of the recreational area. The springs are so deep blue and dramatic against the rocky cliffs."
from $10 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"If 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. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability
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!
LegendJohnson Shut-Ins State Park is located on the Black River in Missouri, just south of St. Louis. This makes it a popular location on hot summer days, especially weekends. If you plan to go, make a reservation by calling toll free 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). This is a State Park with about 80 walk-in, basic, electric, sewer/electric/water and equestrian campsites. Some of the sites have wooden platforms. The park also has a small store located in the center of the campground. Swimming is popular at the park. The “shut-ins” are rock formations where the river is limited by hard rock that it is cutting through. In these shut-ins, the river cascades over and around smooth-worn rock, creating a natural water park. There is also hiking and rock climbing.
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.
TravelerThis is really the gem of Missouri state parks. Rv sites are all full 30/50 amp with water and sewer. All spots have plenty of room but are back in. The pads are perfectly level and are concrete. Camp hosts are helpful and kind. The lodge is in walking distance and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is pretty good also! They offer inside dining but the best place to eat and enjoy the outdoors is on their huge deck. Wonderful place all around and Missouri really has done this one the right way!
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.
GuideWent here hoping to see the wild horses. We didn't see any but still loved this park. Nice hiking trails and clean cool creek to splash in. Will go back again and maybe see the wild horses next time.
Fremont, Missouri sits at 928 feet elevation in the Ozark Highlands, surrounded by clear spring-fed waterways and dense forests. The region receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation throughout the warm season. Winter camping is possible with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°F, though spring and fall offer more moderate conditions.
Explore clear springs: Turner's Mill offers access to "beautiful spring-fed waters" with "fresh and clear" water flowing from a cave system. As one camper notes, "The mill and springs are soothing and crystal clear. The river is shallow enough to wade across and cool off in."
Bridge jumping opportunities: At Greer Crossing Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy riverside recreation with "a great boat dock and swimming area and for the brave of heart at times you can jump off the bridge," according to Glen T. The area provides convenient water access for both swimming and boating.
Kayaking natural waterways: Eleven Point River offers excellent paddling through Boze Mill Float Camp. "Likely the most beautiful float I've done in MO. The Ozarks are incredible," shares Tiffany H. The camp is accessible by water or via a two-mile gravel road, with "several dedicated camp sites that each have fire ring, shepherds hook, picnic table."
Cave exploration: Several campgrounds near Fremont provide access to natural caves and springs. "Greer spring is right down the road and is well worth the hike!" according to Clayton R. The region's karst topography creates numerous underground features worth exploring with proper equipment.
Natural swimming holes: The Jack's Fork River provides excellent swimming opportunities at Two Rivers Backcountry Camping. "We had a section of the river to ourselves and it was a large private spot," reports Jade G., who appreciated that "the water is spring-fed and very clear and beautiful."
Fishing opportunities: Whitten Access offers "a really good boat dock and great fishing" according to visitors. The access point provides both riverside camping and serves as a take-out point for river floats, making it convenient for anglers.
Wildlife viewing: Shannon County's wild horse populations can often be seen at Shawnee Creek Backcountry Camping. "If you want to see the wild horses of Shannon County, this is the place to stay. Right on the Jack's Fork, so beautiful," shares Delanie J. The area provides both natural beauty and unique wildlife viewing.
Solitude camping: The Irish Wilderness offers remote backcountry camping with minimal development. Tony R. describes it as "rustic, hike in, solitude" with a "fun 2 day (three if you need it) hike through whites creek loop." The 20-mile loop trail provides extended wilderness immersion.
Primitive facilities: Most backcountry campgrounds feature basic amenities. At Shawnee Creek, you'll find "new bathrooms, but everything else is primitive" with sites available for $10 per night.
Trail navigation challenges: When hiking in Irish Wilderness, bring navigation tools. "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!" advises Tony R.
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds operate seasonally. Two Rivers remains open from April 14 to October 16, making it unavailable during winter months.
Limited availability: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Two Rivers, campers report: "We were able to get a first come first served site around 4:30p on a Friday - it was one of two remaining sites so we likely lucked out."
River-adjacent campsites: Harveys Circle B Campground offers "beautiful riverfront campground on the Jack's Fork River" with "easy river access and great amenities." The campground includes "a nicely stocked store when you come in for anything you might have forgotten."
Campfire materials: Check if firewood is available for purchase. Circle B provides firewood on-site, while many primitive sites require bringing your own supplies.
Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential, especially near waterways. One camper at Two Rivers notes: "The campground had gnats, but we didn't get too many mosquitos so for that we were grateful."
Kid-friendly swimming: Look for shallow water access points. At Turner's Mill, "the river is shallow enough to wade across and cool off in," making it appropriate for younger swimmers with supervision.
Hookup availability: Echo Bluff State Park offers full RV amenities with "water, electric, and even wifi." One camper describes it as "one of the best RV or Camper lots I've been to" with well-maintained facilities.
Limited shade: Newer campgrounds may lack mature trees. At Echo Bluff, "all of the campsites are out in the open with no shade" but "if you have an awning or some kind of shade mechanism, all is good."
Reservation requirements: Popular RV campgrounds require advance planning. Echo Bluff campers note "you need to reserve your side months in advance because this campground is so popular."
Horse campgrounds near Fremont, Missouri: For equestrian camping options, several facilities near Fremont accommodate horses. The Ozark region offers extensive horse-friendly trails with multiple equestrian campgrounds providing necessary facilities for riders and their mounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fremont, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fremont, MO is Greer Crossing with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fremont, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near Fremont, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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