21 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several tent camping options exist within a 40-mile radius of Newburg, Missouri, including primitive sites at Courtois Creek Dispersed and more established campgrounds like Brazil Creek in Mark Twain National Forest. Cedar Grove/Dee Murray Backcountry Camping in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway provides riverside tent sites, while Paydown Access and Fredericksburg Ferry Access offer simpler tent camping with river access points.
Many primitive tent camping areas require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal. Brazil Creek has only one designated fire ring and picnic table, though campers have created additional rock fire rings throughout the site. Most locations lack potable water, with Courtois Creek Dispersed and Brazil Creek having no drinking water sources other than creeks that require filtration. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Brazil Creek, Paydown Access, and Osage-Tavern Access, but several sites have no sanitary facilities whatsoever. Road conditions vary significantly, with Courtois Creek access described as challenging on gravel roads with potential washouts.
Tent campers at these primitive sites enjoy direct access to waterways for fishing, wading, and cooling off. Courtois Creek and Brazil Creek both feature clear, cold streams ideal for refreshment after hiking. Shade availability depends on the specific campground, with Brazil Creek offering wooded sites and Fredericksburg Ferry Access providing a mix of trees and open grassy areas. Seclusion levels vary by location and timing. A camper noted, "We arrived on Wednesday and camped for a couple of days, very beautiful and peaceful and just gorgeous, no toilets and no electricity and no cell signal but it was amazing." Cell service is unreliable at most primitive sites, particularly at Brazil Creek and Courtois Creek, adding to their remote character. Walk-in tent locations generally offer more seclusion than drive-in sites, especially during weekdays when visitor traffic is lower.
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The police drove by around 11 pm which had us wondering if some people hang out and party there on occasion. No electric for your camper, but a great spot when the weather cooperates."
from $10 - $20 / night
"Lots of open space to camp and plenty of area to hike or use an ATV. Also it’s on the river which is nice!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Has 1 bathroom and place for trash. Right along the river so nice if your looking for water. I arrived at 6 on a Saturday (post labor day) and plenty of sites available."
"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."
"We arrived on Wednesday and camped for a couple of days, very beautiful and peaceful and just gorgeous, no toilets and no electricity and no cell signal but it was amazing"
"Puddles that could be who know how deep or what's in them (I may be the red flag here)."
"This camp site is along the berryman trail so you can stay here if youre backpacking said trail."
"This is a bare bones campground, located in Mark Twain National Forest, it has a place for you to camp and a fire pit, that's it. No facilities, no water, no bathroom, no lights."
ScoutVault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience. Had service of at least 2-3 bars entire time. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies.
GuideThis is a USFS campground that is perfect if you want a secluded spot to disconnect for awhile. No water, electricity, or cell service, but the views are amazing and Paddy Creek is beautiful. Campground requires a six mile drive on somewhat rough gravel roads and and a paved creek crossing if you are are coming from the Licking, MO side of the forest.
There are about two dozen campsites, each with a narrow and short concrete pad to back a vehicle into. A small popup camper or travel trailer may fit, but anything medium or larger is not going to work. All sites have good shade from tall trees and include a picnic table and fire ring. The single vault toilet was clean and stocked.
Cost is $15 a night and is paid for in the iron ranger nearby. The campground appears to close in late fall and open again in the spring at different dates each year, so be sure to check the USFS website before planning a trip.
TravelerThis is a really nice spot for tent camping - even though it’s clearly geared towards RV camping. Make sure to book a walk-in campsite if you’re tent camping, otherwise you’ll be in the lot with the RVs (no trees, no privacy etc see first picture). You’ll have to carry your gear to your site, but not too far. Each walk in site is fairly isolated and separate from the other site by trees. Each site has a wood tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring with grate. If you want you could even go to the lodge (walking distance) for a meal and skip the cooking! Book your spot in advance as it seems like they fill up quickly.
LegendNo cell signal, and as the other reviewer has said, have your map to get there, because it's easy if you do. Your phone will not get you there. Beautiful clear water creek runs directly behind this "pull off" campground. There is only one actual fire ring & picnic table, but folks have built other rock fire rings dispersed throughout the campground. Just off a main trail to Meramac river and horse and hiking trails. No water, amenities (not even a vault toilet) or cell service.
GuideThis 8 site campground has well kept vault toilets and no other services, but is fee-less to match. There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails. We camped the night before heading out on a one night backpacking trip on the Berryman and were pleasantly surprised - it had rained the past 2 days and just finished when we arrived, but the ground was not soggy at the campsite or really much on the trail at all. The sites are well spaced apart, short pads so we saw one couple park their camper on one and their truck on another (the sites were not anywhere near full). Downside to that was, they ran their loud generator all night. However the experience overall was a positive one, with friendly neighbors but plenty of distance between so we didn't cross paths or hear each other's conversations unless we wanted to, a nice fire ring - check before selecting a site as ours was missing a grate; we didn't need one anyhow, a sturdy picnic table and plenty of down wood around to collect for a fire. We will be back!!
ScoutStayed here a few nights in May. This camp site is along the berryman trail so you can stay here if youre backpacking said trail. There is only one table and one metal fire ring but people have made various fire rings out of rocks and there is plenty of room for a lot of people. The camp is right by the creek which is ice cold and good for sticking sore feet in :). There are also a few fish in there. In recent years they put in a single vaulted bathroom but thats it! No showers or drinking water if you cant filter the stream water. They also have several hitching posts for horses here since you can ride horses on berryman trail. I have at&t and ive been getting 1 to 3 bars. But the other person im camping withuisnt grtting anything with their provider. Over all I think its a great little spot if youre ok with no electricity, light or just wanna get away from it all for a while.
GuideFredericksburg Access is a free campground with about 10 primitive sites. Grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins. Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night. We even saw a few meteors!
We went on a late July weekend and only 1 other small group was there. It had just rained but wasn't too mucky. Drive was safe in our heavy converted camper van. No off road vehicle or AWD needed.
Ground is very level and not super rocky so this is a great site for tents. There are vault toilets but no sinks nor dumpsters, so plan ahead for hygiene and waste. Toilets are on flat ground, handicap accessible, and gender neutral. Likely to be a much tougher trip if you used to full hook-up RV camping/glamping, or require showers, but perfect for primitive camping!
The region: 45m to nearest Walmart or tractor supply, so plan ahead. Food, fire starter logs, and lighter fuel available at Thriftway (about 30 min), firewood and ice at Casey's, and McDonald's all in Linn (all 30m) if you need anything.
About water access: Sites are all within about a 5 min walk from the boat ramp on the Gasconade. Sign reads "no swimming" but there's a nice gravel bar just downstream from the ramp. If you enter the water, be mindful that boats may pass as you try to cross.
The swim there requires crossing a moderately sized river that is relatively swift. This is fine for people who swim well but not recommended for young children or weak swimmers especially without flotation devices. It is swift enough to carry you downstream of your target even for good swimmers, so plan for this, especially for your swim back upstream (recommend walking upstream past dock then floating back across to dock). It's also deep in the center so you're not going to be able to cross with dry items unless you have a container that is waterproof.
Again, it's a wider and quick river, so we had to help our dog across. Took 5-7 min there and 15 to get back (with dog. Mind the rocky/brush areas just downstream of the dock, saw some snakes.
TravelerIf you're wanting a ton of privacy, this campground isn't for you. In a great location, especially if you're coming from the north and this is an overnight stop before you head farther south. Did a short walk on some of the trails for hiking/biking/riding and they seemed great. Well kept area with a fire ring and table, vault toilets but no water. Would recommend.
(Review is based on trip in Oct. 2021, could of changed at this time)
Scout$5 recommendation donation for the night. Stayed at this campground as a halfway point hiking the Big Piney Trail loop. Typical primitive campground with toilets, bear-proof trash cans, and camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables, but not much else. Didn’t see any water faucets near our site.
Tent camping near Newburg, Missouri ranges from primitive dispersed sites to established campgrounds within the Mark Twain National Forest. The region sits at approximately 700-800 feet elevation with the Ozark highlands providing forested terrain and clear waterways throughout the camping areas. Most sites experience high humidity in summer months with average temperatures reaching 85-90°F, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions.
Fishing opportunities: At Water Mountain camping area, campers can access riverside locations ideal for fishing. "Lots of open space to camp and plenty of area to hike or use an ATV. Also it's on the river which is nice!" notes Caleb G. about the Water Mountain experience.
Swimming and wading: Brazil Creek offers cold water respite during hot months. According to DiveSyke, the creek at Brazil Creek is "ice cold and good for sticking sore feet in. There are also a few fish in there."
Trail access: Many sites provide connections to hiking paths. Brazil Creek campground sits "just off a main trail to Meramac river and horse and hiking trails," according to Staci R., making it convenient for day hikes or longer treks.
Privacy and seclusion: Some sites offer genuine remoteness from crowds. A camper describes Courtois Creek Dispersed camping: "Very scenic and beautiful right on the river," with Pat F. adding it's "very beautiful and peaceful."
Creek-side camping: Proximity to water features heavily in positive reviews. Jen calls Courtois Creek "gorgeous" and states, "The water is amazing. Great for fly fishing and cast fishing."
Natural setting: Primitive conditions appeal to those seeking natural experiences. Paydown Access provides a rustic experience with Charlotte B. noting, "Beautiful, very secluded, and we were the only ones there... No electric for your camper, but a great spot when the weather cooperates."
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed sites requires preparation. Nicholas H. warns about Courtois Creek: "The road to get there isn't a road so much as an ATV trail. All wheel drive and it was too hard on my Subaru. Mostly washed out."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites have minimal amenities. At Cedar Grove/Dee Murray Backcountry Camping, Lisa S. notes: "Campground is very primitive, you have to walk up a large hill to get to the porta potty."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Brazil Creek, Staci R. reports "no cell signal," while another camper mentions, "I have AT&T and I've been getting 1 to 3 bars. But the other person I'm camping with isn't getting anything with their provider."
Navigation challenges: Paper maps are essential for some sites. Shelly S. advises for Brazil Creek: "Have an actual map handy and make any calls before you get here because your phone will do you no good."
Choose established sites: For family convenience, some locations offer better amenities. At Osage-Tavern Access, Casey notes: "Probably about 12-15 sites, small, just fire pits. Has 1 bathroom and place for trash. Right along the river so nice if your looking for water."
Consider timing: Weekdays offer quieter experiences. Casey adds about Osage-Tavern: "I arrived at 6 on a Saturday (post labor day) and plenty of sites available. A couple of families/kids here but not too loud."
Assess water safety: Creek depths and currents vary seasonally. For Cedar Grove, Lisa S. mentions it's "good for wading and trout fishing. It is also a beautiful place to float with the family."
Vehicle clearance matters: High-clearance vehicles navigate challenging roads better. Jen reports about Paydown Access: "I drive a Toyota Highlander and I did the road with no problem... There was 1 big puddle and 1 sharp rocky turn that I just went slow through. No problem. Probably couldn't do it towing a camper though."
Know your rig limits: Brazil Creek can accommodate larger vehicles but has limitations. Shelly S. notes it has "plenty of tent and horse trailer parking space," but there's limited infrastructure.
Consider alternative accommodations: Some RVers opt for tent camping at these primitive sites. Brazil Creek offers what Shelly calls "primitive horse sites in your own little haven in the woods," where you can bring trailers but may need to use tents.
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