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.
Little Scotia Pond 4x4 Dispersed Site
1 hr 10 min away
Turner's mill
1 hr 10 min away
$5 / night
"This is on the Jacks Fork River, blue green crystal clear water, vault toilets only, in October after closing can be solo camping. "
$5 / night
"This is a very remote primitive campsite along the river and down seven and a half miles rough gravel roads. Site has access to the river and pit toilets. No other services are provided."
"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."
"I grew up going here and it is great , there is great trout fishing and several real good swing holes the campsites are right beside the river which is really nice , the only issue is the restroom is a"
"River access and super close to stream/cave/waterfall area. Water from the cave is so fresh and clear! Truly a beautiful area!"
"Loggers Lake, in the Mark Twain National Forest, is about 7 miles west of Bunker, Mo. Spring fed lake, no electric or water campsites."
$65 / night
"My ONLY complaint is that they never seem to cut the grass close to when we come. It's not terrible, just a weedy and a little longer than I'd like it to be for tent camping."
"Campground is very primitive you have to walk up a large Hill to get to the porta potty and is sometimes noisy with all the floaters but all in all a great place to go."
"Several dedicated camp sites that each have fire ring, shepherds hook, picnic table. There is one pit toilet building."
"Great place to go primitive if the weather is right and no matter the weather, the water is beautiful. Our favorite time to go is in the fall when the leaves begin to change."
$15 - $30 / night
"She just wasn't there when we arrived, and we had a hard time determining property boundaries, tent site locations, etc. on our own."
"Firewood is sold on site as well."
ScoutLoggers Lake, in the Mark Twain National Forest, is about 7 miles west of Bunker, Mo. Spring fed lake, no electric or water campsites. There is a maintained M/F restroom on the site, and a water spigot close to the restroom. All sites have a fire ring and a picnic table. GORGEOUS!
LegendFive 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
RangerLoggers 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!
LegendWatercress and this campground is the same. 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. 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. Sites are large and paved.
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.
LegendMark 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.
RangerThe 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.
LegendThe people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States. A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.
Big Springs was Missouri's first state park. The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there. In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore. Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160. Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring. The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.
The campground is large and open. Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together. Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer. There is a dump site. During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric. If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area. The tent site area is large and open to the sun. Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.
There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.
The Ranger programs are well worth checking out. Take advantage.
The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers. You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.
Have Fun - Stay Safe
Leave No Trace
Better Than When You Found It
GuideThis 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.
TravelerThere are 15 paved sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and a pole to hang a lantern. Some sites are double width. There are two (nice & clean) vault toilets, one in the campground near the entrance and the other at the day use/boat launch site, no electric, water, dumpster or garbage. Pack it in and pack it out. There's a 1.3 mile paved trail along the lake and a dock. There is some noise from 60 but it's hardly noticeable. My time here has been quiet except for some drunken yahoos one night.
The only negative is there are a lot of ticks! They are easy to spot on my white dog but I have to do a tick check every time he goes outside, and I always find some. Avoid the vegetation and you'll see less. Make sure you check yourself.
Tent camping near Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best tent camping sites in Mark Twain National Forest?
Mark Twain National Forest Loggers Lake Recreation Area offers excellent tent camping with spring-fed lake views, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. Located about 7 miles west of Bunker, Missouri, this campground features basic facilities including maintained restrooms and a water spigot. For a more elevated experience, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground provides nicely spaced, shaded tent-only sites, some with platforms. As the highest point in Missouri, it offers breathtaking views and access to multiple hiking trails.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Mark Twain National Forest and where can I find a map?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Mark Twain National Forest. The Ozark Trail offers numerous primitive camping opportunities where regulations typically require you to camp at least 100 feet from the trail. Panther Branch Primitive Campground and Ottery Creek Primitive Campground are designated primitive sites along the trail. For maps and regulations, visit the Mark Twain National Forest official website or contact the ranger district office. Maps are also available at forest visitor centers and through the USFS website, where you can download PDF versions or purchase physical maps.
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mark Twain National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mark Twain National Forest is Rymers Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mark Twain National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Mark Twain National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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