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Alley Spring Campground's designated pet areas welcome campers with dogs throughout the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Pets must be leashed at all campsites, including the riverfront sites at Two Rivers Backcountry Camping. Both established and dispersed camping options accommodate pets, with several locations offering direct river access where dogs can cool off during summer months. Log Yard Campground provides free primitive camping for pet owners seeking a more rustic experience, while Circle B Campground features full-service amenities including electric hookups, water, and sewer connections for RVs with pets. Echo Bluff State Park's Timbuktu Campground extends pet-friendly policies to their cabin accommodations, though specific pet fees may apply. Campground bathrooms and facilities are generally clean and well-maintained, important for longer stays with pets.
Riverside trails at Jacks Fork provide excellent walking opportunities for leashed dogs, with access points available directly from several campgrounds. Most campsites feature rocky or gravel terrain, so pet owners should bring appropriate bedding or mats for comfort. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, requiring vigilant pet supervision, especially during dawn and dusk hours. The small swimming areas at Harvey's Circle B Campground offer dog-friendly water access, though visitors note weekend crowds can make pet management more challenging. Shawnee Creek Backcountry Camping proves particularly popular with horse and dog owners, providing equestrian sites nearby for those traveling with both pets and horses. Veterinary services are limited in this remote region, so bringing a pet first aid kit is advisable. Pet owners particularly appreciate the spacious waterfront campsites at Two Rivers, where sections of the river can be enjoyed privately with dogs.
"Alley Springs is one of several campgrounds within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.. Open year-round. Flush toilets and shower facilities available from April till Mud October."
"Alley Spring near Eminence, in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways of MO is in my opinion one of the best areas in this region. There was a flood in 2017 which is a good and bad thing."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"There's a sign to keep car tires on pavement, but I wasn't able to and parked the Jeep on the grass next to the trailer."
"There is a herd of wild horses that frequents the area (as evidenced by mounds of horse poop in an adjacent field!) and you can easily walk over to the beautiful round spring."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"There must be an ATV trail close by because Sunday evening we had about 20 side-by-side show up to hang out by the river all in all just a great place"
"This area has access to the shores of the current river. No campsites, just the open rocky shores. You can park right on the shores and set up camp. Beware!"
"The campsites are a little close together but no one was at the one next to us so it did not feel so bad. Staff was very nice and friendly."
"People were wonderful and you are right next to the water. Pickup for float trips is nice too If the facilities are great it would be five stars."
"You also have a trail that leads down to a little private beach area on the river but this past year the campground was so full, people were camping right on the beach."
"There is a very nice trail with the trailhead near the group sites. It goes through different terrains, including along the river bank."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We took a last-minute trip on a beautiful weekend in June 2020 to get outside (responsibly) during the pandemic. Two Rivers campground did not disappoint!"
"Be sure to visit the nearby springs and sites of the recreational area. The springs are so deep blue and dramatic against the rocky cliffs."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Only site 3 has direct access to the river with a view, but we just walked down behind the site to the water. The trail to Blue Spring was rough."
"If you want to do some stargazing, you cannot find a much better place in Missouri than the Power Mill Campground. It is an NPS site so it very well maintained."
"For Labor Day we stayed at Big Spring State Park CG, near Van Buren, Missouri which is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. "
"It is still possible to enjoy the area and there are places to get away from the crowd. In 2017 the area had a major flood and renovations are slow."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Dean an Erma are wonderful people that I enjoy talking to and being around. They have totally changed the campground!"
from $10 - $90 / night
from $10 / night
Check Availability
GuideIt's off grid, quiet, and free. Not many spots and it looked like a couple of people had been there a while but everyone kept to themselves and I got a good night's sleep. This isn't luxury and there are no hookups. It's a great getaway for some solitude and to untether from the rest of the world.
TravelerWhat a magical surprise! Put in 4lo and cross the river and this place opens up to a magical paradise. Sandy beaches, swimming holes, easy to get beyond site of the hwy. I would have never looked here had it not been for this app, and this site is so good I almost don’t want to post up- but this site worth sharing- There was a little trash but all picked up now, I hope it’s still clean when I for sure come back. ;)
TravelerTent to electric to full hookups available. multiple shower toilet facilities throughout campground. All sites with nice concrete parking pad.
ScoutNice place to stay. No bathrooms or showers yet, but they look to be working on it.
LegendHosts were private, left us alone, the dirt road running past the homestead was not busy, and the roads were superb. Spot was grassy with lots of trees. We stayed a few nights. They have two puppies that were very friendly. Chickens, but no rooster, rabbits, a garden. They are pretty well set up here. The river was like 3 miles away, we fish alot.
ScoutWe stayed at Broken Arrow Campground in Eminence, MO just after peak season. This location was perfect due to the fact we were kayaking about 7 miles of the Jacks Fork River. We started at Alley Springs and pulled out at Broken Arrow Campground.
The campground could use some TLC, but you can quickly tell by the cheaper rates that it is more of a party campground in the summer months. The bathrooms work (bring your own TP), electric and water worked, and the sites have plenty of shade. There are a few walnut trees so be careful where you set your camp in the early fall months.
Is the place a little rough? sure, but it's priced reasonably...and you're camping. We will stay here again.
GuideSuper clean campground. The host is really welcoming and answers any questions you have. Some amazing views of you pick the right spot.
TravelerThe camp sites are full hook up with good size lots. Lots of room for dogs to run. They have hiking trails, lake for paddle boarding or kayaks( free to use on site), mini golf( have to supply own balls they have putters) 9 hole golf course,and Disc golf. The pool and shower house with game rooms are clean and showers open 24/7. Grounds keepers go a fantastic job
TravelerGreat camping, gracious host combined with the natural beauty of Mammoth Spring, if I wanted to, I could live here 9 months out the year.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways spans 134 miles of riverways with elevations ranging from 450 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region features over 400 documented caves and springs within limestone and dolomite formations. Camping options range from primitive riverside sites with no amenities to established campgrounds with electric hookups, with most sites accommodating tents on rocky or gravel surfaces.
Float trips year-round: The Current and Jacks Fork rivers maintain consistent temperatures around 58°F due to the spring-fed water sources. Big Spring Campground offers easy river access for paddlers. "Great place to have a picnic lunch and watch the spring bubble up," notes Charlotte B., who frequently visits the area.
Cave exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to local cave systems with seasonal tours. "Round Spring Cave is nearby... Caves tours are available June - Oct., but even if your visit is outside of this window, the walk to the cave is kind of magical," shares Lea B. from her experience at Round Spring Campground.
Wildlife watching: Elk reintroduction programs have established local herds that can sometimes be spotted. "If you're lucky, you may see the local elk herd. They reintroduced elk in this area a few years ago," says Joseph A. about his stay at Log Yard Campground.
Fishing for smallmouth bass: The clear, spring-fed rivers provide excellent fishing opportunities. "This stretch of the current is 25-hp boat territory. There will be boat traffic on the river on the weekends," notes Joseph A. about the fishing conditions at Log Yard.
Cold springs for summer relief: The numerous springs maintain consistent cool temperatures even during hot months. "Been camping here for 32 years!" shares Heather T. about Alley Spring Campground, noting the refreshing waters that draw repeat visitors.
Spacious riverside sites: Some campgrounds offer private waterfront camping with direct river access. "We had a section of the river to ourselves and it was a large private spot," reports Jade G. about her experience at Two Rivers Backcountry Camping, where campers can secure secluded spots along the water.
Off-season tranquility: Winter and early spring camping provides solitude at most campgrounds. "We spent 3 week days camping here in our camper van. We snagged a spot with a river view. Campground was maintained by NPS, very clean," explains Theresa H. about her April visit to Round Spring Campground.
Historic structures: Several campgrounds feature preserved historic sites. "The old mill, the spring, the caves, wild horses need I say more," Curtis M. notes about the attractions near Alley Spring Campground.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have no cell reception, requiring advance planning. "No cell service available, so make sure you have made reservations before you get here. Closest cell service is up the road at Echo Bluff State Park," advises Lea B. about Round Spring Campground.
Flood risks: Many campgrounds sit on flood plains and may require evacuation during heavy rains. "The campground is located on the flood plane, heavy rain may cause flooding and evacuation!" warns Joel R. about Alley Spring Campground.
Weekend crowds vs. weekday solitude: Popular areas become congested during summer weekends. "It's beautiful but overwhelmingly noisy and busy on the weekend. People in your site who are going down the river stop to fish and eat and occupy your space," reports Adi about Blue Spring Backcountry Camping.
Payment systems: Many primitive sites require on-site registration via QR codes. "There is a small designated campground above the river bank sites... The site typically costs 5 dollars a day but a sign up at the campground says fees are waved due to less services for COVID," explains Anthony L. about Log Yard Campground.
Choose established campgrounds with amenities: Families benefit from facilities available at developed sites. "This campground has full amenities. Clean bathrooms and showers. Firewood available for purchase and even WiFi. The WiFi doesn't reach the primitive campsites but that was perfect for us to unplug! It was a great place to take our kids!" recommends Stephanie W. about Timbuktu Campground at Echo Bluff State Park.
Bring appropriate pet bedding: The rocky terrain can be uncomfortable for animals without proper mats. "The site was rocky, so mats would be hard (but we had an air mattress, so we were fine)," notes Jade G. about Two Rivers, which applies equally to pet comfort on the rocky terrain.
Schedule ranger programs: Several campgrounds offer educational programs suitable for children. "The host was great did a nice show at the amphitheater about the local area," shares Jeff A. about Round Spring Campground.
Pet-friendly hiking trails: Numerous paths accommodate leashed dogs near camping areas. "We walked through the campground past the spring and caught a little trail that hooked up with the ozark trail and had a lovely day hike around a loop. It was perfect," explains Theresa H. about pet-friendly trails near Round Spring.
Limited electrical options: Only select campgrounds offer hookups for larger RVs. "Loved this campground. Some curvey roads to get to it. Has historic mill and plenty of river places to fish and play. Canoe floats available. We had several family's camping and had taken almost a whole loop. We had everything from tent campers to large motor homes," explains Cathy S. about Harveys Circle B Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds feature tight curves and hills. "The highway to get here is narrow, winding, and hilly! But it's worth the trip," cautions Joel R. about traveling to Alley Spring Campground with RVs.
Level sites vary by location: RVers should research specific site conditions before arrival. "The electric sites are in the center of the campground on the road with no shade," notes Joel R. about Round Spring Campground, highlighting the tradeoff between hookups and shade.
Reservation requirements: Popular RV sites fill months in advance during peak season. "The only negative is that we have experienced are that you need to reserve your side months in advance because this campground is so popular," advises J K. about Echo Bluff State Park's campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ozark National Scenic Riverways?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ozark National Scenic Riverways is Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ozark National Scenic Riverways?
TheDyrt.com has all 119 dog-friendly camping locations near Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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