Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest surrounds Irondale, creating a heavily wooded camping region with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet. Located in the St. Francois Mountains, the area's terrain features pine-covered hills, clear streams, and exposed rock formations. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer camping typically sees highs in the 80s and 90s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking near water features: The 8-mile trail from Marble Creek Rec Area to Crane Lake offers creek-side walking with moderate elevation changes. "The Ozark trail passes through the camp and you can hike this (or drive) up to Crane lake," notes Shannon B., who appreciates the "quiet, low key atmosphere."
Explore prehistoric sites: Washington State Park Campground features Native American petroglyphs and historical structures. "Washington State Park is a hidden gem in Missouri! The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see," shares Phil W., who camped there for a week.
Mountain biking and OHV trails: The national forest offers designated off-highway vehicle areas near several campgrounds. At Brazil Creek Camping Area, one visitor noted, "Miles and miles of trails for Mountain Biking, horse riding or just hiking, and you can ride your ATV on the roads but you need an orange triangle."
What campers like
Pine forest camping: Hawn State Park Campground offers unique pine-filled camping that stands out from typical Missouri hardwoods. "Nowhere else in the state of Missouri have I been able to camp and feel like I'm in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The car camping area is nestled in the middle of a pine filled valley," reports Megan M.
River access for cooling off: Most campgrounds in the region feature streams or river access. At Red Bluff Campground, Kelly M. shared, "The lower beach area access was perfect for them! The upper bluff camping would be awesome...they are primitive sites, but the view is beautiful."
Secluded forest sites: Less crowded campgrounds provide peaceful alternatives to popular glamping in Irondale, Missouri and surrounding areas. At Hazel Creek Campground, Sterling M. found "Secluded, quiet, and friendly locals" and noted that "Hazel creek is a picturesque crystal clear creek that is near the campground, featuring tons of wildlife and peaceful views."
What you should know
Site spacing varies dramatically: Some campgrounds offer privacy while others place sites close together. At St. Francois State Park Campground, Gonzo A. noted, "St. Francois is a nice park tucked in the forest off of Hwy 67. It's a quaint park that tends to fill up fast depending on time of year. The sites are a bit more snug together than I would prefer."
Weather considerations: Flash flooding affects campgrounds near creeks, with visible evidence at several sites. At Red Bluff, Gwenn W. observed "There are flood level signs everywhere and you could see where flash floods had happened on the lowest level of camp."
Services and amenities vary: While Irondale-area glamping typically includes full amenities, traditional campgrounds range from primitive to fully-equipped. At Marble Creek, Mara F. warns, "No fresh water on site, we had to drive into town on Saturday to buy a few gallons."
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas: Kids enjoy the natural water features throughout the region. At Sam A. Baker State Park Campground, Kevin B. shares, "You can sit in the cool clear water and relax. Great place for kids."
Best shower facilities: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for families with children. At Sam A. Baker, one visitor mentioned, "They had just opened a new shower house which was clean and well kept. The campground hosts were especially helpful and friendly."
Natural playgrounds: Rocky formations and shallow creek areas provide built-in entertainment. At Marble Creek, Abby D. found their site "perfect for our group of friends bringing children! Site #20 had a perfect path to the water, and a reasonable creek walk up to a swimming hole."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric sites are in high demand during peak season at state parks. At Washington State Park, David T. advised, "Great campground! However, lesson learned to reserve a campsite further from the road. Easy plug n play electric on a 30 amp box, no issues with blowing fuses like I have at other big state parks."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this hilly region have uneven sites. At Red Bluff Campground, Jennifer G. reported, "We camped at site #28 and it was just right... with the camper parked to the left, we could not really see or hear the neighbors from that direction well."
Access road conditions: Some forest service and recreation area roads present challenges. At Brazil Creek, Linda C. noted a "Beautiful country drive from 1-44" but warned about seasonal pest issues, reporting "Abundant shade. No Verizon service. Aggressive horseflies and mosquitoes."
