The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Mark Twain National Forest

45 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Mark Twain National Forest features several primitive sites along the Current River within Ozark National Scenic Riverway. Log Yard Campground offers free riverside camping with rocky shores suitable for tents, though the access road requires crossing a creek where 4WD is recommended. A visitor noted, "If the creek comes up, you may not be able to cross it again," highlighting the importance of monitoring weather conditions. While officially free, recent changes have implemented a $10 nightly fee at some locations using QR code payment systems, though cellular service is unreliable for completing transactions.

Sunklands Conservation Area provides more isolated off-grid camping opportunities with hike-in access only. These sites lack amenities but offer solitude, with one camper reporting they "saw no other people and only heard nature and airplanes." Blue Spring and Little Scotia Pond areas permit primitive camping with fire rings but no drinking water. Public land camping regulations vary by season, with some fire restrictions in place during dry periods. Most dispersed sites allow pets, though visitors should pack out all trash as services are minimal to non-existent throughout the region.

Map showing campgrounds near Mark Twain National Forest, MissouriExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Mark Twain National Forest (18)

    1. Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    10 Reviews
    Mountain View, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    "This is a primitive camping area and there are a lot of partying people in and around this area plus frequent motorboat traffic. No amenities, many generators. Drive in, pick a spot and set up camp."

    "This National Park Service campground has mostly walk-in tent sites - a few near the river were difficult to find."

    2. Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    10 Reviews
    Van Buren, MO
    16 miles

    "This area has access to the shores of the current river. No campsites, just the open rocky shores. You can park right on the shores and set up camp. Beware!"

    "Pit toilets, dumpster, and water all on site but not at each camp. Great spot to car camp."

    3. Sunklands Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Hartshorn, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 226-3616

    4. McCormack Lake Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "We had a local with his hounds running around with a flashlight looking up trees for about an hour around 9PM. I'm guessing he was raccoon hunting...?"

    "Totally alone with a gorgeous lake."

    5. Cane Bluff River Access

    3 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    21 miles
    Website

    "It's way back on a little dirt road past some farm land and homes."

    6. blue springs back country river access

    Be the first to review!
    Mountain View, MO
    13 miles

    7. Whitten River Access

    2 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    27 miles

    "No one around on this 5 degrees F night. Access road is steep but not rough."

    "It has river access via a boat ramp and "dock". There are several level, clear places to camp with enough room for rv's. The road in is rough gravel and a big rv will be slow going."

    8. Little Scotia Pond 4x4 Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    Bunker, MO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Although the old rv park across the water is nice and level, we ended up wanting to be closer to the water and there happened to be a trail."

    "Wasn’t a bad drive in. Decent amount of wild life hanging around. Will probably hear the beaver if you stay at one of the two sites by the pond. Only saw one other group camping here while we did."

    9. Little Scotia Pond

    1 Review
    Bunker, MO
    30 miles
    Website

    "There's a trail that leads off by the old damn that leads to an old gravesite with stones from the 1800's. Hard to find, bit rewarding. If you like solitude love this place."

    10. FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    11 Reviews
    Black, MO
    44 miles
    Website

    "This was a very good location if you want some remote dispersed camping. I went on a Saturday night in January and only saw two people drive the forest service road."

    "We were the only people along this forest service road and got the prettiest spot towards the end of the road overlooking the mountain across. This camping area is a hidden gem!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Mark Twain National Forest Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Mark Twain National Forest

37 Photos of 18 Mark Twain National Forest Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Mark Twain National Forest

45 Reviews of 18 Mark Twain National Forest Campgrounds

  • Elaina M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Cane Bluff River Access

    Beautiful, primitive, secluded.

    Stumbled across this site in September (2016). It's way back on a little dirt road past some farm land and homes.

    Only a few campsites, no picnic tables, a fire ring, some heavily shaded spots, a couple sites right on the river (but none are far away). You feel like you are in the wilderness! Water is crystal clear and cool, didn't see another camper all weekend. Had a few folks using the boat ramps, but otherwise very private.

    Great stargazing on the beach and you'll see some bats too! Think they really helped keep the bugs off us all weekend, barely had any problems with those.

    Seriously beautiful campsite, and near some excellent floating & gorgeous springs.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Blue, blue, blue, cold, cold, cold

    Blue Spring is beautiful and cold! Aside from the over zealous teenagers jumping into the spring it was a nice visit.

    This is a primitive camping area and there are a lot of partying people in and around this area plus frequent motorboat traffic. No amenities, many generators. Drive in, pick a spot and set up camp. There are so many areas to visit around the river this would be an excellent base camp or you could use it as a stop off on a float trip.

    Eminence, MO is nearby and a good place to refuel and get stuff you need for your adventures. Make sure you get a paper map because phone signal can be iffy.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Free during winter season; otherwise, $10

    Camped for one night at site #7 on Oct 23, 2025. It turned out that this was the first night that camping fees were suspended for the winter season. This National Park Service campground has mostly walk-in tent sites - a few near the river were difficult to find. I parked my van in a small parking lot which serves sites 6 & 7 - just up the hill from the campground loop and vault toilet. The campsites include a table, metal fire ring and lantern pole. Sites 6 & 7 are close together, actually just one site with 2 tables and fire rings, good for a group campout. Except for a few fishermen who fished for a little while, I had the campground all to myself. Very quiet, peaceful night. I enjoyed fishing for smallmouth bass here. There is no potable water, and no hookups. Hammock camping and limited Starlink connectivity may be possible depending on the site. There is a his/hers vault toilet located in the center of the loop; it was clean and supplied with tp. Except for a small trash container in the vault toilet, there is no trash service at this campground; I took out the trash that I created as well as trash left by previous users. The gravel roads accessing this campground were in good condition during my visit. This is a beautiful location. There was some AT&T and T-Mobile service.

  • Dave N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Camping on river

    This area has access to the shores of the current river. No campsites, just the open rocky shores. You can park right on the shores and set up camp. Beware! The gravel settles if wet and many trailers and campers have gotten stuck here. 4wd is recommended. While their are no amenities, the location is beautiful. Very secluded

  • Linda C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2025

    Whitten River Access

    Spent a cold night here

    Arrived after dark. Found a level spot by the river, ground was frozen or it would have been muddy. No one around on this 5 degrees F night. Access road is steep but not rough.

  • A
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Good place to stop for a few days

    There is a small designated campground above the river bank sites described in the other review. The site typically costs 5 dollars a day but a sign up at the campground says fees are waved due to less services for COVID. Pit toilets, dumpster, and water all on site but not at each camp. Great spot to car camp.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2023

    FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    Very quiet and remote

    This was a very good location if you want some remote dispersed camping. I went on a Saturday night in January and only saw two people drive the forest service road. One on the Saturday afternoon I arrived and one on the Sunday morning I departed. There is a nice fire pit made of stones on the site and someone left some leveling blocks for your car as well. It had one of the best sunsets I’d seen in awhile. Being that far from civilization, there was no light pollution so seeing the stars and getting some night photos is possible. There was plenty of dead wood around the area so if you don’t bring enough firewood you can round up some.

    One complaint about the site was I definitely heard gunshots in the area. Not sure if there was a gun range nearby or just some other campers further down the road having a good time. Just wasn’t the most comfortable thing since I was solo camping.

    Like the previous review says it’s a 4x4 or AWD gravel road. I would not attempt with any other car.

    AT&T service was spotty - basically nonexistent. So if you’re looking for a place to escape and unwind, this is a great location.

  • Shea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2022

    FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook

    Peaceful and remote

    We were the only people along this forest service road and got the prettiest spot towards the end of the road overlooking the mountain across. This camping area is a hidden gem!

  • Greg H.
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Beaver Lake Recreation Area

    Nice place, well off the beaten path.

    Way back off of a gravel road... There's at least two pull-offs that I've seen, I'm sure there's more. Disperse camping no facilities but it's nice back here... Fire pit... Not much company & free

Guide to Mark Twain National Forest

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, where nature lovers can find solitude and adventure. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Scenic River Access for Dispersed Campers

  • Log Yard Campground offers a remote camping experience along the Current River, where you can enjoy stunning views and the chance to see local wildlife, including elk.
  • At Blue Spring Backcountry Camping, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of cold, clear waters while enjoying the vibrant scenery that surrounds you.
  • The Cane Bluff River Access provides a beautiful setting with crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming and relaxing in a serene environment.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Mark Twain National Forest

  • Kayaking and fishing are popular activities at Whitten River Access, where you can enjoy the Eleven Point River's beauty while camping in a primitive setting.
  • For those who love hiking, the Sunklands Conservation Area is perfect for exploring nature without the distractions of other campers, allowing you to fully appreciate the wilderness.
  • Swimming and diving can be enjoyed at Cane Bluff River Access, where a rock pad and rope swing make for a fun day by the water.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities at places like Log Yard Campground, where you’ll need to bring your own water and supplies for a comfortable stay.
  • If you’re looking for privacy, consider visiting during the week or off-peak seasons, as weekends can attract more visitors, especially at popular spots like Blue Spring Backcountry Camping.
  • Always check the weather before heading out, especially when crossing creeks to access sites like Log Yard, as conditions can change rapidly and affect your ability to camp safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in Mark Twain National Forest?

Mark Twain National Forest offers several excellent dispersed camping options. FS-2363 Dispersed Camping - Murphy Overlook provides remote camping with beautiful mountain views, though it requires AWD or 4x4 vehicles to access the 6-mile forest service road. For water access, Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping offers shore camping along the Current River with rocky beaches where you can park and set up camp. Other dispersed options include Cane Bluff River Access, Whitten River Access, Beaver Lake Recreation Area, and Blue Spring Backcountry Camping. Most sites feature primitive conditions with fire rings but no amenities, providing true wilderness experiences. Be prepared for rough roads, bring all necessary supplies, and remember to follow Leave No Trace principles. Dispersed camping in the forest is typically free but always check current regulations before your trip.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mark Twain National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mark Twain National Forest is Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mark Twain National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Mark Twain National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring