Best Cabin Camping near Mark Twain National Forest

As a child my family camped at Twin Rivers annually so it was really fun to go back in June. It is a popular spot for people who are there to float the Black River.
We were hiking the OT from Taum Sauk to Johnson Shut-ins so we opted for a camping cabin to keep it simple. We were delighted to find it had A/C! There are 4 small cabins with a double bunk, table and 2 chairs plus the A/C. There is as little porch: nice for sitting or gear stash. It was clean and simple. Bring your own bedding. Outside there is a big water spigot, picnic table, fire ring, and grill. You have access to the "beach" on the crystal clear Black River. There is a camp store with a good stock of what you forgot plus t-shirts etc.
I love Twin River's Landing and we hope to use that cabin again.

I had no idea what to expect, just following brown signs in the Ozarks. The state park has a very interesting, well done visitor center to learn about the surrounding areas geological history. Arriving at the shut-ins by walking down a wooden boardwalk you get glimpses of crystal clear rushing water, then it opens up to points to get in. It's beautiful and impressive. The water has carved out tide pools and waterslides, canals and whirlpools. There are several deep collections if you want to take a break and float around. There are trout and blue gill, armadillo and elk in the area. Down the road a bit there is also Elephant Rock State Park and campground with walk in primitive camping that each have raised decks, picnic tables and fire pits. Also available RVs and cabin rentals. I personally walked around and collected quartz and mushrooms. Very pleasant.

We are trout fishers. This place is perfect for easy stream and running water fishing. We stayed in loop 3, site 325. We walked over to the "river" about 75 yards from our campsite. The water is shallow and clear. it was perfect. You are off grid in this park with Verizon (our service) or T-Mobile (another guest looking for connection). The lodge has Wi-Fi and I was able to pick up signal to text and call when standing outside. No connection for any data at our camp site. No Over air TV stations. One FM radio station. I you want to have any entertainment, BRING DVDs.

General: Very large state park with six separate loops/areas:

• Loop 1: 10 Equestrian sites with water and electric (50 amp)

• Loop 2: 20 FHU sites (50 amp)

• Loop 3: 21 Sites with electric only (50 amp)

• Loop 4: 14 sites with no hookups

• Loop 5: 14 walk-in sites plus three special use sites

• Six cabins 

Site Quality: We stayed in Loop 3. Each site was very generous in size and reasonably distanced from each other. Most had foliage separating them. All sites looked to be level, and the camper pads were either all concrete or concrete/macadam and in very good shape. A large wooden picnic table, lantern/garbage hook, and fire pit complete each site. 

Bath/Shower House: The one closest to our site (and I’m assuming others are the same) had three toilet/sink combos and one family restroom/shower. On the other side of the building were three shower rooms. While they were clean, the floors were concrete, and the walls cinderblock and there was a bit of a musty odor. 

Activities/Amenities: We were there during the week in May and the visitor center and both stores (one in the campground and one by the Shut-Ins) were only open on the weekends. There was a laundry room with very reasonably priced machines ($1 each for the washer and dryer), a playground, and an amphitheater (which also was not in use when we were there). There is a gravel path that bisects each of the loops providing a nice way to walk/run throughout the campground. The signage in the park is good so even though no one was at the check-in station, it was easy to find our site and other facilities. The big draw for this park is the shut-ins (narrow constriction or gorge in a stream) where people can swim/slide from one to the other via small waterfalls into pools of water. We did see a few hearty souls in the water when we were there, and I can only imagine what it would be like on a hot summer weekend! 

We had almost the entire Loop 3 to ourselves, so it was a very quiet stay for us (except for the cicadas)!.

Large primitive sites with plenty of space and access to community water pump in each area. Full RV hookup sites with room for tent camping friends. Trash pickup. Bathrooms within walking distance, that are CLEAN, critter free, and well kept. Access to shower house near the main entrance. Laundry on site as well!

The site we stayed at was a premium tent/basic RV slot, so essentially we had access to an electrical outlet and our own water. The site was huge, plenty of space for our two tents, a pop up, and our "camp kitchen". Each site has a pretty well kept up picnic table and fire ring with cowboy stove (grate that flips over the fire..does the rest of the country use that phrase, too?)

We came in on a Thursday evening and had no issues checking in and getting settled. We floated the Black River Friday through the campground, and had a blast. Our 6 man raft was in great condition and we had no problems with pick up at the put out. Our bus driver was a magician, getting us back in record time. We camped for three nights. Quiet time beginning at 11pm didn't need enforcing, everyone was pleasant and friendly. The staff was phenomenal.

We are already planning our next trip out and cant wait to bring the kids!

For Labor Day we stayed at Big Spring State Park CG, near Van Buren, Missouri which is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

We arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp in the 100 loop, which are primitive campsites with fire ring, picnic table and lantern hook. Nice shady outer ring with plenty of room to set up your area. The inner ring is less private and lacking in shade. There are trails from the back sites to the river and the wading/swimming was nice. Where your hiking shoes to get there, and pack your water shoes you’ll probably want them for the rocky river bottom. 

 In May 2017 the area had major flooding. ( A Park Ranger put on a very informative slide show about it Friday evening) The park is still in the process of rebuilding many of its structures. That being said there are porta pots in two of the campground loops and some of the trails are closed still. The actual showerhouse was extremely busy and not well maintained. Spiders galore, three claustrophobic shower stalls (one was inoperable) with questionable cleanliness and the configuration is just weird. I’ve said it before , it’s unfortunate that the state does not keep these awesome areas maintained. 

The campground was full but we still had privacy and the noise was never intrusive on our activities. 

Big Spring is pretty awesome. There is a trail that circles up around the spring to the far side and several areas to take pictures from. It’s worth the visit to see the spring. We will visit again but I think I will take my field shower!