Top Free Dispersed Camping near Owensville, MO

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Owensville, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Owensville, MO (5)

    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area

    1. Pine Ridge Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    35 Photos
    129 Saves

    This area is located in a pine forest and provides a campground and picnic area while serving as a trailhead to the 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail. Four picnic sites and 8 campsites are provided. Larger grassy area can provide small groups such as scouts.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Courtois Creek  Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Courtois Creek  Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Courtois Creek  Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Courtois Creek  Dispersed

    2. Courtois Creek Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    4 Photos
    108 Saves

    This section is the gateway to the Ozarks--starting at Onondaga Cave State Park and winding through the Huzzah State Forest/Conservation Area, opening into the lead district of Missouri and the Mark Twain National Forest, view variegated wildlife, flora, and scenery and end up at Hazel Creek on the south. This 45-mile long section includes 7.5 miles of state land north of the Narrows Trailhead, crosses private land at the Bass Resort, follows the Berryman Trail from about mile 22 through mile 32, and connects to the Trace Creek Section on the south at the Hazel Creek Trailhead. It is part of the over 220 mile continuous through-trail. Use caution after periods of rain as the creek crossings can be hazardous. This section of trail includes springs, creeks and other water locations, as well as some popular places for trailside camping. Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you! Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources. Treat any water found in the area before consuming it. Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered. Pack out all of your garbage.

    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Brazil Creek Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Brazil Creek Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Brazil Creek Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Brazil Creek Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Brazil Creek Camping Area

    3. Brazil Creek Camping Area

    2 Reviews
    5 Photos
    33 Saves

    The campsites are located on the right-hand side of the road. This is part of a trail area - camping is allowed.

    Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail.

    Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.

    Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.

    There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!

    Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
    Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
    Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
    Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
    Pack out all of your garbage.

    For more information on Dispersed Camping visit our dispersed camping page which has information on picking a campsite, how to protect water quality, and campfires!

    • Pets
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Toilets
    • No image available
      • No image available

      Recent Dispersed Reviews In Owensville

      14 Reviews of 5 Owensville Campgrounds


      • R
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        May. 15, 2023

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Fantastic

        I’ve been going from one campsite to the next for a few weeks now and this place is the best. Clean updated vault toilets. Potable water and we’ll kept sites.

      • Pat F.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Courtois Creek  Dispersed
        Apr. 7, 2022

        Courtois Creek Dispersed

        Very peaceful and pleasant and very beautiful

        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

      • Mashleys B.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Jun. 21, 2021

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Nice campsite!

        Went here on a sunday night. Only two other campers. Toilets, dumpster, and water pump present. Only bummer was lots of ticks and there must be a gun range nearby, which set off our dog's anxiety.

      • Michael M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Jun. 18, 2021

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Nice semi-quite place to overnight.

        All and all nice place. Some roads are gravel and chalky leading there (my cars still covered and I'm in Colorado now!) Pit Toilets were nice, one for campground. 2 potable water sites. Campsites were not well defined and judging by the beer cans in some site fire rings it might get rowdy on the weekend.

      • Michelle H.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        May. 31, 2021

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        I loved it

        It was a nice quiet area designated camping spots and not too far from any stores very clean working bathrooms we really enjoyed ourselves there we'll be looking forward to going back

      • Chrischelle N.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Sep. 8, 2020

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Great Campground

        Pros: Free!! Close to Columbia but far enough away for a getaway. Easy to find from the road, even in the dark. Fire pits and picnic tables are there. Vault toilets and running water available. Hiking trailhead at the entrance of the campground. Camping spots are spaced out enough.

        Cons: Can hear lawn-mowing and Gun shots from neighboring properties in the early morning. Still not the end of the world. Definitely fills up on the weekends.

        I stayed at #3 and it was a very spacious private spot. If you have kids/dogs I recommend spot #4 it has a long strip of playroom for running around without disturbing other spaces. 2 week maximum stay.

      • FThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Aug. 6, 2020

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Pine Ridge Dispersed camping at Mark Twain National Forest

        There was easy access to the campground. There were designated spots to camp that had a picnic table and camp grill. Didn't like people just sitting in parked cars in the campground. Quite place to camp for the night.

      • L
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Feb. 9, 2020

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Peaceful

        Stayed 2 nights, blacktop rv site, back in, w table, fire pit, grill on pit as well as seperate on pedestal, covered table for storage  or prep, also picnic table, water faucet, dumpsters, vault toilet.  Stayed in Oct so it was not busy, there were a few tents, hiking trail lots of shade.  Nice country road drive in and out.

      • Jenn L.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Sep. 27, 2019

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        My absolute favorite place close to home.

        This campground is pretty stripped down. There are vault toilets and that's it for amenities. However, it is also one of my favorites close to home to hike. The campsites are always clean, but you almost always find litter in the fire rings. You have to gather your own wood or bring approved stuff in, but it is perfect for a quick overnight trip.

      • Josh S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Apr. 17, 2019

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Great dry dock area

        Wonderful open areas for camping. Fire pits aplenty. Great hiking trails to meadows and forest. Several sites all first come first serve. No power and vault toilets. Donation camping so late night arrivals can get scetchy.

      • Charlotte B.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        Jul. 9, 2018

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        great trails

        Love the trails and the secluded spots. There usually are always people camping, even in the winter. Also, there are no electric sites so dont forget your generator. My husband and I have felt a little unsafe. We once had another camper come into our site and not want to leave.

      • Curtis M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge Recreation Area
        May. 22, 2018

        Pine Ridge Recreation Area

        Pines Pines Pines impressive

        Set in the Cedar Creek District of the mark Twain National Forest this campground is perfect for a night stay or a backpacking trip. On site camp hostess and privy. Great hammock camping



      Guide to Owensville

      Camping near Owensville, Missouri, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

      What to do:

      • Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds, like Cuivre River State Park Campground, have beautiful trails. One visitor mentioned, "Beautiful prairie view and lots of great trails."
      • Fishing: The rivers and lakes in the area provide great fishing spots. A camper at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground said, "The park is awesome, a few hikes inside and only a few miles from Ha Ha Tonka."
      • Caving: If you're up for an adventure, check out the caves at Onondaga Cave State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "Onondaga Cave is amazing with the new lighting."

      What campers like:

      • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Graham Cave State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms were clean. The shower is so-so, but I’ve read they’re getting upgraded."
      • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at Lazy Day Campground shared, "The owners are very friendly. Very well-kept campground."
      • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Meramec State Park Campground offer breathtaking riverside views. One camper remarked, "The park was clean, and very pretty."

      What you should know:

      • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Onondaga Cave State Park Campground mentioned, "No cell service from Verizon or T-Mobile."
      • Tight Campsites: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Cuivre River State Park Campground noted, "The full hookup loop has a lot of room, but can be a challenge backing in."
      • No Wi-Fi: If you need internet access, be prepared to go without. A camper at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground said, "Only negative was there is no wifi and poor cell phone reception."

      Tips for camping with families:

      • Choose Sites Wisely: Look for sites closer to bathrooms if you have young kids. A camper at Meramec State Park Campground mentioned, "We will definitely go again but only if we get the site closer to the bathrooms."
      • Plan for Wildlife: Be aware of local wildlife. A family camping at Cuivre River State Park Campground reported, "Our site had skunks and raccoons each night."
      • Bring Entertainment: With limited activities at some campgrounds, bring games or outdoor toys. A visitor at Lazy Day Campground suggested, "The little details make it very homey."

      Tips from RVers:

      • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA noted, "The site was not level front to back and we had to build a sizable pyramid with our blocks to get the rig leveled out."
      • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Graham Cave State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground seems older, rather small."
      • Bring a Light: Some campgrounds have dark paths to facilities. A camper at Lazy Day Campground advised, "Very dark, unlit walk to the bathhouse, so bring a light!"

      Camping near Owensville, Missouri, has something for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Owensville, MO?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Owensville, MO is Pine Ridge Recreation Area with a 3.9-star rating from 12 reviews.

      • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Owensville, MO?

        TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Owensville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.