Best RV Parks & Resorts near Mark Twain National Forest

We reserved a pull thru for an overnight stay between Memphis and Springfield, MO. This was right on the highway, but no road noise. Check in was super easy, full hook ups and easy in and out. Looks like they changed the name to Silver Springs RV park. Enjoyed the pool.

The campground is located in the Mark Twain National Forest. The fire rings are a plus and there are lots of trees for a hammock set up or tent. Lake is very pretty with a 1 mile hiking trail with some great views. In the evening it is dark enough to enjoy the stars.

This has long been one of our favorite places to go as a family. The campground itself is perfect for families with lots of activities, especially during the summer months. Everything from walk in tent sites to full hook ups and even a few cabins. Book far in advance though! The Shut Ins themself are up the road from the actual campground and require a good hike back to actually get to the water. It’s all flat but you’ll still want to travel light. While the water area itself is beautiful you do need to be extremely careful. Especially with little ones. There are areas up top that you can hang out with children and let them swim without issue. But the shut ins themselves need to be navigated with caution. Overall this is one of our favorite parks in the state with plenty of fun for everyone!

My husband has been going to Montauk for over 40 years. He taught me to trout fish here. We both love to come back year after year. This is not only one of the most beautiful RV parks I’ve ever been to, but one of the friendliest all around !

Loggers Lake campground runs along the 22 acre Loggers Lake near Bunker, MO in the Mark Twain National Forest.

Be prepared for a decent amount of driving on gravel county roads. The route from bunker itself has a bit less while the route to Salem is longer on gravel with a handful of water crossings.

There are 14 sites which all have parking, picnic table, and fire ring. Most have lantern poles. Most back right up to the lake. Most have back in parking which can accommodate a vehicle with trailer. The first few sites have split parking, which can house your trailer in one spot and vehicle next to it, but not long enough to back in without disconnecting. At the beginning of the campground there is a swimming area with picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet. After this, there are the sites mentioned above with split parking. Tent sites and tables are down a hill from the parking spots here. There is a small fork with a parking lot and a handful of sites - while we were here there was an RV in this area. I believe this would be the only place a full RV could park in the campground. Finally is the main campground loop. There is another vault toilet at the beginning of the loop. Both vault toilets were relatively clean. One had air fresheners in it. There is water access near the vault toilet. On the loop, all exterior sites back up to the lake. There are two sites on the center of the loop which would be very nice for a large group. The lake itself is beautiful and easy to access. There is a boat ramp at the campground loop and a spot at almost every site to put in a kayak or canoe.

There is a 1.5 mile trail along the lake which begins at the campground loop. There is a spur to the spillway. The trail does not seem to be very heavily traveled, expect to walk through brush and spider webs!

Location is great. The campground is on the basic side, with gravel and dirt everywhere. Not an issue, if that's what you're expecting.

We were in site 45 and our friends in site 46. These are both 30 amp sites, no sewer, and we both have 50 amp service. This shouldn't be a problem, assuming we're pulling less than 30 amps. With 1 AC running, were only pulling less than 15 amps, but still having multiple electrical issues the whole weekend. Both sites ended up having to run our generators most of the time we were here. The staff did come out and take a look at the pedestals, and even replaced the breaker on ours. We were told that because we were at the end of the line, and we had big rigs, that it was causing issues. However, it shouldn't be causing an issue if we weren't pulling more than 30 amps, which we weren't. (On a normal 30 amp service, our rig will run 2 ac units without issue.) Multiple times, we were receiving less than 100 volts, which shut our Bulldog EPO off.

We went to check at the office as we left for the dump station location. I was told that they could dump for you for $20 or, you could back into a full hook up site and dump for a $5 fee. We have been full time since November and this is the 1st time I've encountered needing to pay to dump when full hokkups weren't available. I double checked the website and couldn't find anything that mentioned a fee to dump.

The staff did credit us 1 night stay and we didn't end up having to pay to dump.

Long story short, definitely paid for the location to the river. We backed up onto the water and let down our ramp/patio for a nice view.

Mark Twain National Forest in Van Buren, Missouri along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway.  During the 2017 flood there was some damage to a group shelter so be careful walking.  The ground is uneven and there are a lot of blocks.

Watercress sits along side the Current River and the river is a beautiful emerald green where you can see the bottom.  The river is prime float territory whether it be by kayak, boat, tubes, just whatever.  On the weekend it will be very busy so prepare for full parking spots.  What better way to see an untouched landscape as you float along the river.  No need to paddle the river does all the work.

First getting to the Watercress was a bit confusing to us.  We drove pass the Forest sign and had to come back and start over.  On Highway 60 turn onto Business 60 through Van Buren.  When you see the National Park Service sign on the left had side of the road you will turn onto Watercress Road.  That road will take you right into the park.  The day use area will be on the left side and the campground will be on the right.

Van Buren is a small town and worth the very short drive to the courthouse.  If you love ice cream and amazing burgers stop by the Jolly Cone.  It was established in 1953 and still going strong.  Our chocolate malt was so thick we had to lick it off the straw.  Can't wait to go back.  YUM!!!  The day we were there the Jolly Cone had sponsored a car show held around the courthouse square.  These small towns offer so much history.  Stop in.

Watercress has 17 campsites for RV and tents.  This is a First Come - First Serve.  Watercress offers each site with a picnic table and campfire ring.  No electrical or water at the sites.  Campground is open May 1 - October 1.  A trash dumpster is located on site during that time frame.  Vault toilets and drinking water available.  Fees are $10 - $20 depending on site  or type of pass you have.  There is a fee station.  The group shelters are not open at this time.  Sites are large and paved.

The Current River is a beautiful river to boat or float.  Great for kayaks or tubes.  While on the river drop a line to try your hand at fishing.  Catfish, sunfish, bass and walleye.

You will find the Songbird Trail for hiking 1.2 miles long to the Watercress Spring.  You will even run across a Civil War earthworks on the trail.  Boat launch is open and offers vault toilets and trash dumpster.

Check out Big Spring while in the area.  It is Missouri's largest spring.  There are three springs in the United States that lay claim to being the largest in the US and at different times of the year I am sure that each one is the largest.  Beautiful spring.

Have Fun - Stay Safe

Leave No Trace

Better Than When You Found It.

Five miles north of Doniphan, MO on State Hwy 160 Hwy Y head north for about five miles take a left on Forest Road 4349.  Continue down and veer to the left to go to the boat ramp and day use area.  Go right to the Deer Leap Campground.

ON the east bank of the Current River you will find dispersed camping.  There are seven campsites with fire ring, table and lantern post.  No trash service but there is a pit toilet and water.  Campsites are First Come, First Served.  No fireworks allowed.

The campground and boat launch is located in the Mark Twain National Forest under the Eleven Point Ranger District.  The district is named after the Eleven Point River which was designated a National Scenic River in 1968.  The Eleven Point District provides a plethora of fishing, tubing and all kinds of boating options.

Take the time to float some of the rivers for a vision of rocky bluffs, springs, birds, wildlife and local vegetation.  You are permitted to camp on the gravel bars found along the rivers and there are several primitive float camps while you are floating.

There are so many activities that go hand in hand with fishing and tubing such as horseback riding, hiking, hunting, mountain biking and just gazing at the stars.

At the launch site there is limited parking for floaters.  You can launch tubes, motorized and non motorized boats here.  There is also a pit toilet.  Be very careful because on the fourth the area was very crowded.  There is a vendor in the area to rent tubes and kayaks and provide shuttle service.

The water is so beautiful, clear and moving along.  The clear, green water has the power to entice just about anyone to dip their toes in.  Remember that during the summer this river will be very crowded but even with the crowds there was more than enough room.  During the spring or fall this would be a great to kayak.  Floater access in the campground is from 4/1 - 10/1.  Boat ramp is open all year.

Have Fun - Stay Safe

Leave No Trace

Better Than When You Found It

ok place to camp for rvs. nothing fancy. grass sites were fairly muddy. has water and eclectic with a dump station. shower house is old needs to be updated. toliets were clean. showers aren't in the best shape. we it's not far from Acker ferry. has a small store that is only open friday,Saturday and Sunday.

Great time, owner very nice, good level site. They have something for everyone.

Admittedly a little underwhelmed at first glance but we ended up really enjoying our stay. We had a semi-secluded RV spot. Showers and bathrooms are all single stall which is nice, but dated. Access to the river is the best. They have float trips and canoes and kayaks for rent. River is crystal clear though it can get crowded. We found a nice secluded beach on the river and it was great.