Searching for the best camping near Mark Twain National Forest, MO? Mark Twain National Forest is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Mark Twain National Forest, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
The park features a primitive group/special-use camping area with a fire ring and restroom facilities. Call the park for information on how to reserve this area.
Montauk State Park preserves a shady green retreat that offers visitors plenty of opportunities for fun, whether it is fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or just relaxing with friends and family.
Montauk State Park's campground offers basic and electric campsites. For a little extra space, try one of the park's family campsites. The park's store carries a variety of camping supplies.
In the rolling, forested landscape of Round Spring, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
The crystal clear Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, including the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
The crystal clear Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, including the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified Caves/Kart Systems within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and Dogwood are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
Scenic Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and rangers offer tours upon request.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236.
$33 / night
In the rolling, forested landscapes around Pulltite, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
The Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. The historic Pulltite Cabin is across the river from the campground. The only way to see the cabin is by boat or by wading across the river. The cabin is next to scenic Pulltite Spring, for which the campground is named. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
The Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. The historic Pulltite Cabin is across the river from the campground. The only way to see the cabin is by boat or by wading across the river. The cabin is next to scenic Pulltite Spring, for which the campground is named. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. They range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and Dogwoods are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
Scenic Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and rangers offer tours upon request.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236.
$50 - $140 / night
In the rolling, forested landscape of Two Rivers, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
The crystal clear Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming, and fishing. Jacks Fork meets the Current River nearby. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Find canoe and kayak rentals through our list of Riverways Outfitters on the park website. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, including the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail, and Big Springs Trail.
The crystal clear Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming, and fishing. Jacks Fork meets the Current River nearby. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Find canoe and kayak rentals through our list of Riverways Outfitters on the park website. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, including the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail, and Big Springs Trail.
Known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways has over 300 identified Caves/Karst systems within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly white oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and Dogwood are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and scenic Alley Spring are nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and rangers offer tours upon request. Round Spring and Round Spring Cave are nearby as well, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months.
$20 / night
Round Springs is a National Park campground. It’s about 12 miles north if Eminence MO on the Current River. There are only 50 sites, some have electricity. Most of the campsites are scattered along the road with lots of trees and privacy. The electric sites are in the center of the campground on the road with no shade. There are few walk in sites near the river. There is a shower and dump station.
I’ve been coming to the Current River area for over 60 years, before the National Scenic Riverways, when Round Springs, Alley Springs, Big Springs, and Montauk were all state parks. They were great places for camping, swimming in the Current River, and canoeing. This new State Park at Echo Bluff is everything I would eliminate from a campground. Sites are packed close together, everything is concrete. No privacy, no shade , no natural beauty. A big modern lodge, cabins and townhouses. I made reservations for two weeks expecting a state park experience. Sorely disappointed!
Well kept state park and trout hatchery. Recently upgraded electric in campground 4, which was nice. Each campground has its own host, which is great when you need it. I hung out with friends in a basic group site, too, and there was plenty of room and a nice setting (site 116). Food at the lodge was better than anticipated and friends in the cabins had no major complaints either.
We arrived later and the staff was so attentive and kind! They remembered our groups names and were so kind at the shop! We had a large camp ground, two spots fit our group of 8 with room! We also had 5 vehicles. The camp sites in the #70’s are so close to the water and a short walk to the toilet/shower house! The bathrooms could have been cleaner and some of the lights were out but not the worst I have seen! (Your camping anyways) the float shuttle was a bumpy ride but the drivers were nice and the men at the raft pick ups were kind also! I would recommend this lil place! Maybe not In The summer time when the river is busy but to camp anytime!
Positives: Tranquil little campground with beautiful spring and cave. Quiet, shady, has two points of river access, group sites, and steaming hot showers. Close to Echo Bluff State Park, Current River State Park, and Eminence, MO.
Negatives: Test sites are hit or miss. Sites 1-18 are fairly small and not very level. Sites 19-29 have larger, more level areas. 30-39 are kind of mixed. Many sites have steps up of down to the site from the road. There is no cell service available, so make sure you have made reservations before you get here. Closest cell service is up the road at Echo Bluff State Park.
Other info: You may get lucky and see otters on your way to the spring, or some of the wild horses in the area. Go in the early morning to the spring trail to watch the mist roll off the water and enjoy the wildlife - so otherworldly.
Cave tours are available June - Oct., but even if you visit is outside of this window, the walk to the cave is kind of magical.
If you walk to the spring overlook, you'll also encounter a portion of the Ozark Trail. About a half a mile down the Ozark Trail you can cross the Current River on a pedestrian bridge which is a pretty cool experience.
Bathrooms available on the upper camping loop, but the showers are located on the bottom loop (three family style showers). Fantastic water pressure.
Host was friendly even when he had to tell us we couldn't hang hammocks in National Park campgrounds.
While you're there drive down to Alley Spring for a nice hike, another beautiful spring and historic mill, and at the camp store you can get a National Parks Passport stamp (located in the screened in porch) for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
We stayed in site 13 which is located directly behind the bathrooms. Good if you have to go all the time, bad if you don't like to hear loud toilet flushes. Very shady site.
Love tent camping! Secluded and shaded. I want a few years back and it was lovely can’t wait to see if there have been updates!
Echo Bluff State Park is nestled in the heart of Missouri's Ozarks. This natural haven offers a perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park boasts a stunning blend of scenic beauty, recreational activities, and comfortable amenities.
The first thing that strikes you about Echo Bluff State Park is its breathtaking natural beauty. The towering bluffs, dense forests, and the pristine Sinking Creek that meanders through the park create a picturesque landscape that's a joy to explore. Hiking trails like the Signal Hill Trail and Current River Trail offer hikers stunning vistas and the chance to encounter local wildlife.
For those looking to relax, the park offers a range of options. The modern campground facilities are well-maintained and provide all the comforts of home, while the cozy cabins offer a rustic yet comfortable escape. The Echo Bluff Lodge is a standout feature, offering a beautiful setting for meals and relaxation with its panoramic views of the park.
One of the highlights of Echo Bluff State Park is its accessibility to the Current River. Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular activities, and the park provides easy access to the river. It's also a designated Missouri Trout Park, making it a paradise for anglers.
In conclusion, Echo Bluff State Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful getaway. Its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and comfortable accommodations make it a must-visit destination in Missouri. Whether you're an avid hiker, a water sports enthusiast, or simply looking for a tranquil escape, Echo Bluff has something to offer everyone.
First, the park hosts were so friendly, helpful and hard working. They kept everything spotless! Bathrooms and showers were a 10. Grounds were a 10. Location and surroundings were gorgeous. Sites were spacious and there’s not a “bad” site in the whole park. It was Peaceful and quiet at night. We walked through the walk in tent camping area and it was amazing. Sites were big, private and spread out through the woods with wooden platforms. Path through the area was gravel and very well maintained. The Betty Lea Lodge was close and had an awesome store and gift shop. We will definitely be back!
Great place to stay. Easy to get checked in staff is super helpful. Quiet campground not a lot of loud music and people. Other campers are super friendly and nice. Bluffs at at the lodge are amazing to see. Will definitely be coming back!!
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.
I took the day off on Friday so we could have a full weekend of camping. We originally planned to go to Buffalo River in Arkansas, but there was a lot of rain in the area so we decided to check out Echo Bluff State Park instead.
I’m glad we did! It was beautiful and our campsite 🏕️ was perfect. There was a wooden platform that kept us drier than we might have been when it rained Saturday night and some water got in a few of the seams of our tent 😅
We tried to catch some fish in Sinkin’ Creek Friday and Saturday but no luck. The cool water felt wonderful both days but chasing away the copperheads 🐍 Saturday that were likely scaring away the fish 🐟 was so not fun 😂 neither was finding a tick on my arm but we found it soon enough to get it off without issue. We also successfully avoided all the poison ivy 🌱
Bf made some delicious steaks 🥩(as always 🤤) hot dogs 🌭, sausages and bacon 🥓
I don’t know where we’ll go next but I know it will be just as fun! And despite everything, we plan to return here at some point soon!!!
Also there is WiFi in the rv area and at the lodge. Otherwise absolutely no service for ATT or Verizon and I would imagine several others
This place is a gem. Family operated and located in the Ozark Mountains with beautiful scenery nearby to explore.
$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!
Perfect in the off season. 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. They were not bad, but a little dated and not well set up for camper showers. Clean though.
This place is quiet and family oriented. Showers are full of hot water and very clean. Staff is friendly. Whole facility is clean and well maintained. Firewood for sale at the front. River is ice cold.
Super easy to get my 28' trailer backed into site 52. Getting it level was manageable. The site is not paved and parked on grass. It rained everyday and the tires may have sunk in a little bit. There were several fresh water hydrants in the campground and two about 60 yards on either side of site 52. I used Echo State Park to dump when leaving. The non-potable water tower's elbow nozzle was removable to fit my own hose and flush the black tank.
We went during the week and the campground was less than a quarter full. We left on a Thursday and knew it was going to be full for the weekend. Only a couple of the 20 FF sites were being used by Thursday and something to remember for future trips.
The store sold firewood, can't remember how much for a bundle. The store also had wifi, but it was very slow. We used the picnic table on a slope to sort of sit and check emails and the weather or sat on the rock wall across the road at the bathrooms. Anywhere else did not get a connection. No TMobile service.
There is a very nice trail with the trailhead near the group sites. It goes through different terrains, including along the river bank. When looking back at the pictures we took during that section it looks so nice, but we hurried through it due to the mosquitoes. The trail section that went on higher ground didn't have mosquitoes, but used a stick to knock down webs. Lots of different flowers to view along the trail. There's a small section along the river that wasn't maintained well and I had to re-find the trail. Not a big deal, but hopefully the trail maintenance crew can fix it. The rest of the trail was very well maintained and easy to follow.
I used the very clean bathrooms towards the group sites, which I think I was the only person to use. The bathrooms near the entrance were clean too. I didn't use the showers, but they have them.
The river access behind site 52 is pretty cool with a short sandy trail to the bank. There were moments of no rain and I was able to setup a hammock on the bank. If it wasn't raining I would have gone every day.
I was able to get my 28' trailer in site 37 and managed to level it. There's a sign to keep car tires on pavement, but I wasn't able to and parked the Jeep on the grass next to the trailer. Unlike other sites at this campground, this site did not need stairs to get to the fire pit or picnic table; they were right outside the door. The fire pit was clean and I used the grill box everyday to cook all the meals. The weather was too hot to use the entire fire pit for a large fire.
Unfortunately, my view from the fire pit was of the shower building and watching people go in and out at the end of the day.
I have solar panels mounted on top and the large shading tree kept them from charging the batteries, but shaded the site very well. This made me look for portable panels after I got home. The lower branches should be trimmed to avoid damage to taller trailers. The branches barely cleared mine.
The ground is rocky and bent my flimsy tarp stakes. This made me look for better stakes when I got home. Haha.
The dump station is at the entrance to the campground and there were two issues with getting fresh water. The fresh water tower had the elbow nozzle and I couldn't get it unscrewed to put my hose on. To fill up using the elbow nozzle and trailer's gravity fill port meant parking the trailer in the exit lane. Not knowing what to do, I proceeded to site 37. There is water near the shower building and thankfully my three hoses spanned the length and was able to fill up while parked in the site. When dumping on the way out, there was no issue with unscrewing the other non-potable water tower's elbow nozzle and putting my own hose on to flush the tank. Maybe I wasn't strong enough to remove the fresh water tower's nozzle.
The host was really nice and so were the park rangers.
No signs about generators; I used mine during the day. I didn't hear anyone else using one though and felt guilty. Heard lots of music and barking dogs so not too guilty.
The river is awesome, cold, and a highlight of the campground. People take their dogs and chairs to the bank and I'm sure they love it, but it's a busy bank with boaters and not a lot of room to separate from others. Instead, we waded to the center of the river, and after several minutes of getting used to the cold water, sat in the rushing water. It was great and the noise of the rushing water around us drowned (haha) out the barking dogs and peoples' conversations on the bank.
The walk on the trail and across the bridge to the country store was nice and took 15 minutes. Worth the walk for wifi and ice cream. The trail to the store is not marked well but figured it out.
I will go back, but choosing a different site.
The host was great did a nice show at the amphitheater about the local area bathroom and showers are great, not to mention the nice clean river
We stayed here to utilize their shuttle services for kayaking the 11 point. It was the week before the Memorial Day holiday and we had the place to ourselves! There are bathrooms available and hot showers, awesome people to chat with and a cool dog named Dan. We stayed in the primitive camping section but were informed there are also cabins available. Our site was just what we needed with a Rim fire pit and a couple of picnic tables. Richards definitely catered to us as we decided at the last minute to take another float and they jumped right in and made it happen for us. The convince of having your own vehicle waiting for you after a long day of floating is worth every dime you pay for it! I would highly recommend Richards for their shuttle services and camping area.
Tent, rv Hookups, cabins. yurt. Pool. Pleasant place for kids and adults. Good restaurant, live entertainment on occasion, views, trails. Great staff. Conpletely new place. Good time by current river mo.
We heard about this amazing park, great camping. We tried to find photos of the tent sites, found a few videos of people showing one, but not camping there. We liked the wood platform so reserved spot 7 for 3 nights. Luckily we brought our own wagon because they weren’t allowing their large wagons to help you carry your gear to the campsite, apparently a COVID protection rule. The campsite No. 7 was at the highest point on a rocky hill to walk up. We only heard about concrete to everything. No. The people catered to at Echo Bluff State Park are the people RVing. The huge concrete area for RVs looked so packed and crowded. It was over 100 degrees down there, 20 less at our campsite. We spent a lot of time down IN the sinking creek. We loved the creek. It was such a great way to cool off and get some Wi-Fi signal. NO wi fi at campsites other than No. 1, very close to the RVs and parking area. The space between campsites was good: although, one night we had problems with people being up late and being loud. The second night was problems with people shining their flashlights into our camp until 3 a.m. it was ridiculous. So we didn’t see any people come by that would enforce the rules at the camps. We will go back the end of July this year, but we know what to ask about and request when we get there this time. We can say the site itself was private feeling. We just didn’t anticipate our far neighbors being so bad.
My daughter and I wanted to try Montauk state park and went in March on a Wednesday and left Friday. When booking the site, I was surprised how full it was going to be. Our site in loop 4 was level, clean, and easy to get the 28' trailer back in to. The water right next to the site was taped up, probably turned off for winter, but we were able to fill our fresh tank at the campground entrance before parking. There was a dump station in loop 4 and another one near the entrance. We used loop 4 dump station and the black tank flush water valve wasn't working. The river is full of fish and people fishing for them. Swimming was probably allowed, but I'm sure the people fishing wouldn't have tolerated it. If it was warmer I'm sure we could have found a spot in the river without people fishing to relax. Instead, we hiked the pine ridge trail which was nice and easy for us. At night, we could hear the owls and frogs, which is a highlight for me. The store was a highlight for my daughter and they really have some great fishing gear and supplies. We didn't eat at the lodge. It looked decent and there were people filling up the tables. For me, my favorite part of camping is cooking and eating at the site. We didn't use the campground's shower or toilet. I took a look and they seemed like a typical state park bathroom, clean until someone ruins it. We're fortunate and grateful to have the trailer's bathroom.
We paid $10 for a bundle of wood at the campground, which was for sale just before dark (check the sign for times). The attendant was nice, but he didn't provide any split wood and it was wet. I'm guessing they collect wood from the local bottom lands and sell it. I don't know, there was split wood in the barn, just not in the pile we could pick from. I have a hatchet and was splitting it myself, but wished it wasn't wet. We did see a place selling wood on VV towards Licking also for $10 a bundle. We passed on it and chose poorly.
Google took us from St. Louis through Salem and then down to YY, which was a dirt road and crossed a shallow creek. I wasn't confident it was the correct path, the road got very narrow, had lots of potholes, and worried we wouldn't be able to turn around. Unexpectedly, I put my new suspension to a test. Fortunately, we ended up at the campground without needing to turn around. We left the campground via VV through Licking on a proper road and was able to get gas too.
Though opening weekend weekend is crowded, best trout fishing in the state
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. 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!
This may be one of my favorite campsites!! Our campsite was very private and I appreciated the cart the park supplied to move our gear to the site. We had some skunk visitors overnight. There’s a great River to swim in, phenomenal ranger led programs, a great playground and nice trails. It makes for a great trip but book early because sites fill up.
Right off the Current River, walking distant to downtown Van Buren. This campground coordinates pickups for if you want to tube the river with one of the local companies or you can have a local shuttle take you to the bar and Karaoke across the river. The area for campers and RVs are leveled with gravel but has ample shade trees but sites are pretty close. The tent area is grassy with shade trees as well and the sites are closer towards the river. The park has one communal bathroom which can get pretty busy on Fridays and Saturdays.
Camping near Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, offers a fantastic escape into nature with plenty of options for outdoor fun. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just relaxing by the campfire, there's something for everyone.
Camping near Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Mark Twain National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Mark Twain National Forest is Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Mark Twain National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 glamping camping locations near Mark Twain National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
