Best Dispersed Camping near Mount Vernon, MO
Three dispersed camping areas near Mount Vernon, Missouri provide free primitive options in the Mark Twain National Forest area. Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area offers the most amenities, permitting alcohol, campfires, and accommodating both tents and RVs with drive-in access. The site includes a picnic table and established fire rings. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, this location is "completely surrounded by forest, with plenty of shade" and has space for multiple vehicles.
Pine Hollow 1045 and Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area provide more rustic experiences. Pine Hollow features a small, level campsite suitable for "a couple tents at most" according to visitors, with limited access for larger vehicles. The dirt access roads to these sites can be challenging, especially in the dark or during wet weather. Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area offers drive-in access but minimal facilities. Recent reviews note it as "rarely used" and "right off highway K" with a gravel drive leading to a grass lot. Visitors should be prepared for potential tick encounters and seasonal burn bans at all locations, as these sites provide no amenities such as water, toilets, or trash service.
