Scrivner Road Conservation Area provides equestrian camping in rural Missouri with 8 miles of multipurpose trails through diverse terrain. The area connects to several nearby horseback riding destinations through a network of maintained paths. Camping facilities remain basic with limited amenities, but the location offers strategic access for riders seeking overnight stops during extended trail journeys.
What to do
Trail riding access: Scrivner Road Conservation Area features an extensive trail system where horse owners appreciate the varied terrain. "This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here," notes Josh S.
Fishing opportunities: Berry Bend on Truman Lake provides excellent fishing access directly from many campsites. "Great fishing, lake is accessible from many sites," reports Carol R. The location offers both shoreline fishing and boat launch access.
Wildlife viewing: Dry Fork Recreation Area delivers consistent wildlife encounters along its trails. "You are guaranteed to see deer and turkey. Great flowers for viewing in the Spring as well," says Charlotte B. The area also contains historical elements with "old homestead foundation along the trail."
What campers like
River proximity: Froggys River Resort receives praise for its waterfront location. "I was right next to the river, and the sounds of the water made everything tranquil," writes Mike G., who also observed "a bald eagle flew up the river" during his stay.
Clean facilities: Long Shoal maintains exceptional standards according to visitors. Angela F. reports, "They had the cleanest facilities I have ever seen," while another camper noted the "plenty of lake views and access. Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station."
Trail connections: The strategic location of several horse campgrounds near Lake Ozark, Missouri creates extensive riding networks. Many equestrian campsites connect directly to trail systems, allowing for multi-day rides between camping areas with proper planning.
What you should know
Tick awareness: When using trails at equestrian campgrounds in the Lake Ozark region, prepare for ticks. A visitor at Dry Fork Recreation Area warns, "We encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here."
Limited connectivity: Most horse-friendly camping areas have no cell service, creating a true disconnect. "No internet, no cell, no problem," comments Lauri C. about her stay at Berry Bend, appreciating the forced digital detox.
Seasonal water levels: River conditions fluctuate significantly throughout the year. When considering float trips from Froggys River Resort, one visitor advises, "Depending on the time of year, the river can be quite low, so be sure to check the forecast before planning a stay."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Berry Bend - Harry S. Truman Lake offers swimming opportunities for children. "The lake was great, the sites were level and not too close together, shaded and beautiful," reports Leslie H., making it suitable for family camping.
Spacious campsites: Families need room to spread out, and several equestrian campgrounds near Lake Ozark deliver this feature. Kendall K. notes that Berry Bend is "not nearly as busy as the state park which is awesome!" providing space for children to play safely.
Cleanup responsibilities: Teach children about proper waste disposal at primitive sites. One visitor at Dry Fork Recreation Area observed, "Others had left some trash around. We picked up what we could. Please pack it out if You pack it in."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most horse campgrounds near Lake Ozark offer limited RV services. Riverfront Campground and Canoe provides more extensive options with "water/electric hookup, sewer dump onsite," according to Jason B., who successfully parked a "34 feet" travel trailer there.
Level parking: Equestrian campsites typically accommodate horse trailers with attached living quarters. Dan F. appreciated that at Long Shoal, "Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station as you enter the facility."
Equipment considerations: When bringing horses and RVs, plan for additional space requirements. The Missouri Conservation areas generally offer larger parking areas to accommodate both horse trailers and camping vehicles, though hookups remain minimal at most locations.
