Dispersed camping options in the Mount Vernon area span numerous conservation areas with varying terrain and amenities. Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area operates with limited services and occasional gate closures, requiring self-sufficiency from visitors. Most tent sites in the region remain open year-round but accessibility can fluctuate with seasonal conditions, particularly following heavy rainfall or during hunting seasons.
What to do
Shooting activities: Busiek State Forest includes a designated gun range alongside its trail system, with one visitor noting it's a "Decent place to shoot and walk the pupps." The recreation area attracts both day visitors and overnight campers seeking mixed outdoor activities.
Water exploration: Swan Creek offers creek access for wading, fishing, and water play during warmer months. The area includes equestrian camping sections for those traveling with horses, as noted by a camper: "Has great dispersed camping, free, creek is accessible, has equestrian area to camp with horses."
Hiking trail networks: Conservation areas throughout the region feature interconnected trail systems. At Fort Crowder Conservation Area, visitors can access "11 miles of multi-use trails to explore (foot, bike, horse)" according to one reviewer who recommended Gibson Spring as "great for someone just getting in to backpacking as it is a short hike to the campsite from the closest trail head."
What campers like
Nature immersion: The best tent camping near Mount Vernon, Missouri often includes secluded sites with natural features. At Big Bay on Table Rock Lake, campers appreciate the privacy and direct lake access: "It's very wooded and private. Most sites back directly up to the lake. I have accessed camping by water the last few times I've camped there."
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Several locations provide walking-distance backcountry experiences without requiring extensive hiking skills. Gibson Spring Back Country Site features amenities unusual for primitive sites, with a reviewer noting it "has several picnic tables, a trash can and a BBQ grill that someone left behind. Your water source is the spring itself, remember to treat the water."
Community experiences: Some campgrounds in the broader region offer social activities. At Mountain View Camping, visitors mentioned unique hospitality features: "Not bad place... Owner is very nice. They feed you Friday night and Sunday morning."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Several conservation areas require advance permits that cannot be obtained remotely. For Busiek, a local resident advised: "Camping is by permit only, and permits can not be obtained online or by phone, you must go in person to the Missouri Department of Conservation office."
Variable facilities: Amenities vary significantly between sites, with most primitive locations lacking potable water. At Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area, accessibility can be unpredictable, with one camper reporting: "When we got there we found a locked gate across the entrance to the conservation area!"
Limited connectivity: Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent at most tent sites. Swan Creek specifically has "No service for ATT" according to visitor reports, making emergency communication potentially difficult.
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparedness: The Ozark region experiences rapid weather changes that can affect camping conditions. Busiek visitors recommend: "Be wary of the water level, this can impact any hiking you might be looking to do, so be ready."
Insect protection: Summer camping requires thorough insect precautions. As one Busiek camper advised: "Just make sure to bring the bug spray and tikis bc there are tons of bugs."
Self-sufficiency planning: Families should prepare for limited facilities. At Big Bay, a camper warned: "There are no camp monitors and should you have a problem with someone else or get hurt your on your own in dealing with it or seeking help."
Tips from RVers
Alternative parking: When designated areas are inaccessible, some conservation areas have parking lots suitable for overnight stays. One RVer at Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area shared: "We were tired from a long drive with a bunch of rain near the end, and we ended up just sleeping in the parking lot. It was actually comfortable and level enough."
Location verification: GPS directions to conservation areas can be unreliable. A visitor recommended: "Trail head can be tricky to find as no signs on the road indicate the turn," while another noted: "There is NO locked gate nice little spot cows across the street after 12hrs riding good enough for me."
Seasonal availability: RV campers seeking tent sites near Mount Vernon should verify open status before traveling. At Fall Creek Resort, stay limits are "21 days (limits set by the state)" according to a reviewer, who added: "When we were there it was almost totally empty."
