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Camping near Mark Twain National Forest

528 Reviews

Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri anchors a diverse camping landscape where the Ozark National Scenic Riverway provides numerous camping opportunities. Alley Spring Campground and Round Spring Campground offer established sites along the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers, while dispersed options like Blue Spring and Log Yard Backcountry Camping areas cater to those seeking more primitive experiences. The region includes over 260 campsites across various campgrounds, with accommodations ranging from basic tent sites to RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options at places like Echo Bluff State Park and Harveys Circle B Campground.

Road access to many campgrounds involves narrow, winding, and hilly terrain that can challenge larger vehicles. "Curvey roads to get to it," noted one visitor about Alley Spring. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, with specific closing dates varying by location. Water levels and potential flooding affect accessibility, particularly at riverside campgrounds like Alley Spring, which sits on a flood plain. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited or non-existent in most areas, with multiple reviewers mentioning the complete lack of service. Bathhouse and shower facilities typically close after mid-October, with portable toilets remaining available in some locations during off-season.

The crystal-clear springs represent a defining feature of camping in this region, with Alley Spring and Blue Spring drawing visitors for their remarkable water clarity and natural beauty. Several campgrounds provide direct access to rivers popular for swimming, fishing, tubing, and canoe trips. A visitor described the area as having "all the water and woods you want," highlighting the recreational diversity. Historic sites like the Alley Mill add cultural interest to natural attractions. Wildlife viewing opportunities include potential sightings of the area's wild horse herd, mentioned by multiple reviewers. Camping areas near water sources tend to fill quickest, particularly on summer weekends, while more secluded sites offer greater privacy but may lack amenities like electricity or running water.

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

Best Camping Sites Near Mark Twain National Forest (143)

    1. Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    29 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "Chose this location to be our hub while completing a Missouri springs tour. Visited 8 springs in total. Checked out the camping facilities at every spring that offered camping."

    "At this campground you have walking distance access to the river and a rental place nearby. Check out the Alley Mill while your there."

    2. Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

    37 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 751-5211

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Round Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    16 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "There is a herd of wild horses that frequents the area (as evidenced by mounds of horse poop in an adjacent field!) and you can easily walk over to the beautiful round spring."

    "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."

    4. Harveys Circle B Campground

    5 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    5 miles
    +1 (573) 226-3618

    "The campsites are a little close together but no one was at the one next to us so it did not feel so bad. Staff was very nice and friendly."

    "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."

    5. Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

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

    "We visit this campground multiple times a year and it's always a positive experience. My parents have ano rv and they allow us to camp in a tent next to them!"

    "Stayed at site 9 next to the river. No need to go find the scan and pay by the vault toilet all the sites have QR codes at the sites for scan and pay."

    6. Pulltite Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    12 Reviews
    Hartshorn, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "You also have a trail that leads down to a little private beach area on the river but this past year the campground was so full, people were camping right on the beach."

    "There is a very nice trail with the trailhead near the group sites. It goes through different terrains, including along the river bank."

    7. Two Rivers Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    4 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $10 - $25 / night

    "We took a last-minute trip on a beautiful weekend in June 2020 to get outside (responsibly) during the pandemic. Two Rivers campground did not disappoint!"

    "Be sure to visit the nearby springs and sites of the recreational area.  The springs are so deep blue and dramatic against the rocky cliffs."

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

    10 Reviews
    Van Buren, MO
    16 miles

    "There must be an ATV trail close by because Sunday evening we had about 20 side-by-side show up to hang out by the river all in all just a great place"

    "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!"

    9. Jacks Fork Canoe Rental and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 858-3224

    $10 - $90 / night

    "Dean an Erma are wonderful people that I enjoy talking to and being around. They have totally changed the campground!"

    10. Rymers Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    2 Reviews
    Birch Tree, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $5 / night

    "Long beautiful drive in, narrow road would not reccomend for motorhome over 20' or any large camper as there is no backing up or turn arounds. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Mark Twain National Forest

199 Photos of 143 Mark Twain National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Mark Twain National Forest

528 Reviews of 143 Mark Twain National Forest Campgrounds

  • 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.

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

    North Fork

    Large sites, good separation

    Camped at site #4 in the Dogwood Loop in Oct 2025. Paid $5 with senior pass. Previous review applies. Trash service available. Vault toilets (3) were open; clean with tp. Water was turned off for the season. There are a couple of hiking trailheads in campground. The Blue Spring Trail was really nice; it was moderately difficult in a few areas. Nice views of the North Fork River along this trail. Bank fishing possible in the nearby day use area. The campsites were large with good spacing between them. There is no privacy, however, between sites. My site was level, but can't say that for all sites. The campsites and roads were paved. The campground appeared well maintained during my stay.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Noblett Lake

    No Camping - Day Use Only

    Camping is still not allowed here. The campground itself is overgrown. Did not see any dispersed campsites. This recreation area, however, is a beautiful day use area. Appears to be maintained. Vault toilets in the picnic area were open during my visit. Did not find any potable water. Fishing is permitted at the lake, but I had no luck.

  • Jeffrey H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Rockin’ Bell River Resort

    Very Nice Campground

    We called to spend one night as we were passing through the area. Amanda & Dusty were very friendly & helpful. The facilities are very clean and in a beautiful setting. We definitely would come back here when in the area

  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Piedmont Park

    Beautiful Place

    This is a beautiful campground. It is an older campground but very well maintained and very clean. The view from my camp is spectacular. I have electric, water, a covered picnic table, a fire ring and all for $8/night with my pass discount. Only negative thing I can say is the long hike to the bathrooms, but not really all that bad. Wonderful campground, will stay here again

  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mark Twain National Forest Markham Springs Campground

    Beautiful out of the way spot.

    This is a very clean, well kept campground in Mark Twain National Forest. It has electric, vault toilets showers and a potable water spigot. Very reasonably priced. The water was cut off for repairs shortly after I arrived but, no problem, stuff happens. Been here 12 days and it has been very enjoyable. I did a field report and it tested my "cell" reception but I have no signal here so I am using Starlink and have a great connection so that will skew the test results. They need to ask if using Starlink before doing that test.

  • J
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Beautiful but not free

    Stunning views. Multiple spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. They have a QR code on each picnic table so you can book your site through the state and pay $10 to Camp but there's no service in that area so I'm not sure how they expect us to be able to do that. There's two camping sections. One is about halfway down the road. It's grass and trees and it's across from a vault toilet and a trash bin. If you go all the way to the end of the road it rocks and sand and you're right on the water but there's no toilets or trash.

    The coordinates for this place just takes you to the start of the road not to the actual campsites. So once you get to the road just drive down it. It's not too far and car could make it.

    The only annoying thing was that when I stayed with my tent on the rocks by the water, all the way at the end, I could still hear the person at the very first campsite with RV generator humming very loudly and it took away a lot of the ambiance of the place. So it's primitive but you may not be alone.

Guide to Mark Twain National Forest

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.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "The hiking trails like the Signal Hill Trail and Current River Trail offer stunning vistas and the chance to encounter local wildlife" at Echo Bluff State Park.
  • Fishing: The rivers in the area are great for fishing. A camper at Montauk State Park Campground mentioned, "This place is perfect for easy stream and running water fishing."
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: The Current River is a popular spot for water sports. One visitor at Pulltite Campground said, "This campsite is great if you are wanting to float on the Current River."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Round Spring Campground stated, "The bathrooms and showers were a 10. Grounds were a 10."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Alley Spring Campground noted, "Nice level sites well spaced. A good size campground."
  • Natural Beauty: The stunning landscapes are a big draw. A visitor at Big Spring Campground said, "The campground is beautifully manicured and has spacious sites."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell service. A camper at Log Yard Campground warned, "NO CELL SERVICE. If you're lucky, you may see the local elk herd."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Pulltite Campground advised, "MAKE RESERVATIONS! This campground exploded in the last few years and it's always packed."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Greer Crossing mentioned, "You can jump off the bridge for a swim, but be careful of the wildlife."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A parent at Montauk State Park Campground shared, "This place is quiet and family-oriented. Showers are full of hot water and very clean."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Round Spring Campground noted, "The river is awesome, cold, and a highlight of the campground."
  • Plan for Bugs: Bring bug spray, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Pinewoods Lake Rec Area mentioned, "Chiggers and bugs are an issue here so bring plenty of Off."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Pulltite Campground said, "Super easy to get my 28' trailer backed into site 52."
  • Water Access: Know where to fill up your water tank. A camper at Montauk State Park Campground noted, "There was a dump station in loop 4 and another one near the entrance."
  • Bring Firewood: Some campgrounds don’t provide firewood. A visitor at Big Spring Campground advised, "Don't forget to bring in your own firewood."

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

Are dogs allowed at Mark Twain National Forest campgrounds?

Dogs are generally allowed at Mark Twain National Forest campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Round Spring Campground in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway section of the forest welcomes pets in the campground areas. Alley Spring Campground is another pet-friendly option within the forest. When bringing your dog, remember to clean up after them, keep them from disturbing wildlife and other campers, and never leave them unattended. Some areas within the forest may have specific pet restrictions, especially around designated swimming areas or sensitive natural habitats, so check site-specific rules before arriving.

Can I bring my RV camping in Mark Twain National Forest?

RV camping is available in Mark Twain National Forest, though amenities vary by location. Most forest campgrounds are more primitive without full hookups. For a premium RV experience near the forest, Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park offers full-service sites with 30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer connections. All sites have perfectly level concrete pads, though they are back-in only. For those willing to forgo full hookups, Big Spring Campground provides a more rustic RV camping experience. Be prepared for gravel roads accessing many forest campgrounds, which may be challenging for larger rigs.

What are the best campgrounds in Mark Twain National Forest?

Mark Twain National Forest offers several outstanding campgrounds for nature lovers. Loggers Lake Campground stands out with its spring-fed 22-acre lake, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. The campground features a maintained restroom facility, water spigot, and a scenic 1-mile hiking trail with beautiful views. It's ideal for hammock camping with plenty of trees and offers excellent stargazing opportunities. Fourche Lake Rec Area is another top choice, featuring well-maintained facilities and easy lake access. For those seeking riverside camping, the Deer Leap and Watercress recreation areas along the Current River provide beautiful scenery and water recreation options.

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