Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Neosho? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
ort Crowder Conservation Area, located in southern Newton County, was once part of the old, World War II Camp Crowder Army Base. The U.S. Army selected the Neosho site for the base because of its proximity to water, railroads, and highways. Visitors to the area can still see foundations, fruit trees, open fields and other remnants of many of the hundreds of small farms purchased by the federal government for the 60,000-acre base. Camp Crowder was named for Judge Advocate General and U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Enoch H. Crowder. Thousands of soldiers went through basic training here before the camp was decommissioned in the mid 1950s, including Mort Walker, who immortalized the Camp as Camp Swampy in his syndicated comic strip, Beetle Bailey. Fort Crowder Conservation Area, encompassing 2,362 acres, is approximately 60 percent forested. Primary species include white, black, post, blackjack and red oaks, hackberry, elm, black cherry, black walnut, and ash. The remainder of the area is open and includes 200 acres of native warm-season grasses, 100 acres of crop fields and 600 acres of fields maintained in an early successional stage. The area hosts various game species, including quail, rabbits and doves in the open areas and large numbers of deer and squirrels. Turkeys have been stocked here and are now present in good numbers. During your visit to Fort Crowder Conservation Area you may view various forest and wildlife improvement projects in progress from the 11 miles of multiuse trails that wind through the area. These trails are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Area map: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/6510map.pdf
After visiting Natural Falls State Park, break out the swimsuits and make a splash at Flint Creek Waterpark. This family-friendly swimming hole offers plenty of cold water to share with a variety of visitors. Guests are welcome to pitch a tent for a few nights or simply pack a picnic lunch at this summer hotspot. Whether swimming all day or dipping your toes in to cool off, please keep in mind that Flint Creek Waterpark has no lifeguards on duty.
Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area is in north-central Lawrence County, 12 miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. In 1980, the Conservation Department purchased 246 acres to maintain and protect riparian habitat along Spring River. Between 1980 and 1986, an additional 4,113 acres were purchased from six landowners, increasing the area to its present size. Originally named after Spring River, which flows unchannelized through the area's southern portion, the area was renamed in 1983 in honor of the late conservation commissioner, Robert E. Talbot from Joplin.
Talbot CA lands vary from the rich bottomland soil along Spring River to rocky, upland soils. Presently, the area is 69 percent open land and 31 percent wooded. Fishing opportunities can be found at the four acre or seven acre lake. Numerous smaller ponds can also be found on the area. The Conservation Department has sharecrop agreements with local farmers to provide food for wildlife. Harvested crops also benefit the local farm economy. Some of the timbered areas on Talbot CA have been thinned in recent years to restore the savanna and woodland natural communities that historically existed there. Periodic prescribed burning is used to maintain these restored natural communities. Prescribed burning is also an important management tool used on the area to benefit quail, rabbit, wild turkey, and a host of other wildlife species.Cattle grazing occurs from April - August on portions of the area. The grazing program is used to improve habitat for grassland obligate wildlife including Bobwhite quail.
Along with high quality upland habitat, visitors will find several miles of multiuse trails that are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Camping is allowed only in the spot designated on the area map. No facilities are provided at the campground. The campground is best suited for tents or small travel trailers/RVs.
Brochure: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/8037.pdf
Camping is allowed only as designated in the "Things To Do When You Visit" section for this department area. If camping is not listed as an activity in this section, camping is prohibited on the area. Designated camping areas may or may not have defined campsites. Seasonal closures and restrictions may apply to all camping on department areas. On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section. Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
These 5 sites, each with one to four tent pads, a fire ring/grill and a lantern hook, are accessed by hiking approximately 4 miles and are set in a heavily wooded area.
The sites closest to water access are sites 3, 4, and 5.
Campsite 1: One 8x8 tent pad, 4 campers max., the closest site to Beaver Lake, which is visible when leaves are off the trees
Campsite 2: Three 8x8 tent pads, 8 campers max., furthest site from the lake and other campsites
Campsite 3: One 8x8 pad and one 8x12 pad, 8 campers max., the second closest site to Beaver Lake, which is visible when leaves are off the trees
Campsite 4: One 8x8 pad and two 8x10 pads, 8 campers max., close to site 5
Campsite 5: Two 8x8 pads and two 8x10 pads, 8 campers max., close to site 4
Shower facilities are not available at the campsites or anywhere in the park.
Scout
The good: Beautiful location. Limited access due to 11’ 6” bridge to enter location. Not near Passion Play as indicated on Apple Maps. Double check location before you book!
The Bad: $2 for 5 min shower?! Campsite price, $40, doesn’t include shower. No sewer hookups. Also serves as public boat ramp. Random people coming and going. Women’s toilet is a pit toilet, (outhouse)!
Guide
Mark Twain National Forest is always a great getaway. This location is tucked away from the main road and is easy to get to. Could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight. Established fire ring (be mindful of burn bans). Close to Roaring River and Table Rock lake.
Guide
We have stayed at this campground several times and Anna is there to answer all your questions and really take care of you. This is close to Roaring River and Table Rock Lake. You are also close to Cassville if you’ve forgotten anything or want to eat out!
ScoutNo good
Traveler
Lots of ticks. Good clean campground. Bathroom. Bison roam the park. Ticks also roam the park. Found a burnt guitar. Wooden pole hit truck. Prarie walk had lots of ticks, but no tick dogs.
Traveler
The river is pretty, seems like great fishing opportunity. We were just passing through so we didn't fish. The shower and bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Only one shower and indoor toilet on the side we stayed on and it was just kind of gross. We did find 2 outside stalls with toilets but not until the next morning so that helped. Overall it was a nice place to stop and sleep for the night. Friendly people. Cameras in the campground so it feels safe.
Scout
We love to camp here . Although it is usually pretty full so if it's peace and quiet you are looking for this might not be the place for you mainly on the holidays. And I don't like the fact that they raised the price to $15 night primitive sites. It was free just couple yrs ago. Kids love to swim and float when they aren't fishing.
Legend
All spots are large. Most water sites are amazing. Wild life all around. Easy in and out boating.
Scout
So first of all, we reserved spot 27. We have a 24’ Hideout. The loop that spot is on, if there was someone in spot 28, I would have had to back all the way out. That’s a hair pin turn. FWIW.
Spot 5: just down from the hosts spot, but you can’t really see it and you don’t hear a thing. Secluded and very quiet. 3 min walk to some nice shores and great fishing spots from shore. Though the sunfish are smart here. lol.
The bad. It’s a pull through spot on a hill. It’s hard(er) to keep your camper on the pavement. I had to use 3” on the outside to level the camper. I had to get the camper just right for the extension. Your steps from your camper go right into a rock slope that’s slick when wet.
All in all not a big deal! This is a great quiet campground. The day use area wasn’t even used while we were here.
The sites weren’t as clean as other campsites we’ve been too, Like Rocky Branch or Echo Bluff in Missouri.
Spot 9 is primo if you can get it.
Scout
Very nice and spacious sites with lots of trees and shade. Good hiking and views of the falls. Unless you’re a fan of oval dirt track racing, most Friday and Saturday nights in the summer and fall are pretty loud until after 11:00 at night.
Guide
We were just passing through and stayed for a night. We had sewer, water, and electric hookup. A nice dog park, and even found some 4 leaf clovers!
Scout
Campground was nice and maintained. Showers in campground 2 were dirty.
Traveler
This campground was a great spot for our first family camping trip. We went with a group of 6 adults (my kid still played with bugs). The view from our site was pretty and we had great trees for hanging hammocks. The bathrooms were close and clean. The fishing wasn’t amazing on this trip but we caught our limit on our last day trip. Our only complaint was the closeness of neighboring sites and foot traffic on the road.
Scout
I love everything about this campground from the open space, to the front manager to the friendly guests. Near enough to town to enjoy the museum and pop in for lunch, far enough away to feel detached. There's also an old Drive in movie next door! Makes you want to get an airstream and cruise down Route 66
Traveler
This place was very quiet. We arrived and the owner was extremely helpful and nice. We were passing through town and found this place. Full hookups and level spots. Would recommend.
Scout
We camped here in October 2021 to close out our season and as a waypoint to Beaver Lake. This is a very nice, quaint little municipal campground. The shower house was clean enough, the spots were all well-maintained, and everything worked as advertised. There is a city park right around the bend that has all kinds of stuff, and there are basketball courts, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits within short walking distance.
It may have been because of the time of year since the campground was about to close, but we were the only campers there for the whole week, which was totally awesome. There are 42 spots at Kamp Siesta, three of which are pull-through, so you cannot possibly beat this place for $10 a night.
Oh, and I forgot to mention the wooded trail right behind the campground. You definitely forget you're in Kansas back there!
Ranger
Stayed here for a week and loved it, although it was a bit busy for our sensitive dogs. If you are in a van or small RV the electric lane sites down the hill are WAY nicer than the RV sites, you just won’t have a water hookup. Very pretty and the sites are well-spaced, my only complaints are that people have too many dogs off leash and the shower setup is kinda weird (but hot and good pressure, just nowhere to get dressed).
I would stay here again! There’s also shuttle service to town if you call which is great, and wood and snacks for sale. Everyone is friendly. Excellent Verizon service but spotty wifi and I think poor service with other carriers.
ScoutThis was a really nice campground with easy walks to some beautiful scenery! Flat pads with nice tables/grills/fire pits. Sites 3/4/11-14 have a lot more room so we’d probably pick one of those next time. There is a racetrack near by that was so loud we couldn’t hear each other talking from 6-11pm on Friday night which made it difficult to put our baby to bed. We’d love to go back but will definitely pick a weekend without a race next time.
TravelerWe camped at The Pines loop because it was the only section with a functioning bath house in the off season. The river was down a very steep hill, so not accessible from camp, but there's a boat ramp nearby. The restrooms and showers were good and the volunteer caretakers were very helpful and friendly. Camp spots are easy to back into. Very close to the lake. Cell phone coverage was not great.
Scout
I've been here one day the campground is clean,quite,and it's beautiful,we love it
Guide
fun place to go take a swim on a hot summer day I camp here for a few weeks every year
GuideI go here with my friends every summer we hike almost all the trails , it’s gorgeous last time I went there (summer of 23) we saw a wild river otter swimming there is so much wildlife out there and it’s just gorgeous absolutely stunning and worth visiting, family friends and dog / pet friendly if you want to take your dogs on a hike this is the place , has stairs and is not very handicapped accessible if you want to go to the bottom of the falls but it is completely accessible for a wheelchair if you just want to view the falls from the top and there are multiple handicapped accessible paved paths !
GuideI stay at a camp right off of flint creek every summer , it is open to the public for the most part for fishing or swimming , there is a gorgeous little natural waterfall right under the highway so you can see when you drive by
TravelerI don’t usually post reviews, but… I fell in love with this campground. I visited in late November, so I was the only tent camper on the grounds. The camp host was very accommodating to me, and made sure everything was good. It was pouring down rain when I first arrived, and she suggested I move to a different site that was less flooded, and I’m so glad I did! I chose a site in the Meadows section, and it had a stunning view of the water, and was a great bird-watching spot as well.
There was a shower house and a few pitt toilets, and all were very clean and sanitary. They were also all placed in a good location, so wherever you were at in the campground, you didn’t have to walk far. Each basic tent site came with a tent pad, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Some also had metal hooks, but the campsites in the meadows do not.
All in all, it was a b eautiful, quiet spot with a stunning view. Great for bird-watching and hiking. I’m definitely coming back here again!
ScoutWe had a nice stay here the campsite was secluded away from everything. The sites were nicely spaced out away from everyone. We stayed at site 23 in the pines which was directly across from the bathhouse but there were only two of the four bathrooms open so it was a little frustrating waiting for a bathroom. But the stay was great it would be a great stay for tent camping, RV or camper. Would definitely recommend and a great view of the dam right when you get to the campground, be sure to stop and take a look.
Traveler
This is a very nice park it’s $44 a night so a little more than I like to pay but it’s clean and has showers and laundry year around they said
TravelerQuiet and clean. Enjoyed the electric hookup and place to dump. Our site was #19. We have a 26 ft travel trailer. Easy to back in and minimal leveling. Alot of trees and grass areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Neosho, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Neosho, MO is Gibson Spring Back Country Site - Fort Crowder Conservation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Neosho, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Neosho, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
