Best Tent Camping near Pineville, MO

Tent camping in the Ozark region near Pineville, Missouri provides multiple options for backcountry and primitive experiences. Fort Crowder Conservation Area offers Gibson Spring Back Country Site, which requires a short seven-minute hike to reach the tent camping area. Across the state border, Flint Creek in Oklahoma provides accessible tent camping with creek access approximately 30 miles southwest of Pineville.

Most tent campsites in the area feature minimal amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Fort Crowder's Gibson Spring site includes picnic tables and trash cans but no toilets or treated water, requiring campers to filter water from the spring. According to one visitor, "This site would be great for someone just getting in to backpacking as it is a short hike to the campsite from the closest trail head." Several locations have fire rings where fires are permitted, but firewood must typically be brought in or gathered on site. Many primitive tent camping areas lack defined tent pads, so campers should be prepared to set up on natural ground surfaces.

The terrain around Pineville offers seclusion often sought by tent campers. Walk-in tent sites at Gibson Spring provide quiet alternatives to more developed campgrounds. During summer months, Flint Creek campground offers swimming access with deep pools and shallow wading areas. A camper noted that Flint Creek is "open to the public for the most part for fishing or swimming, there is a gorgeous little natural waterfall right under the highway." Conservation areas like Robert E. Talbot provide free primitive tent camping opportunities but may have locked gates at certain times. Tent campers seeking more solitude should consider backcountry sites that require short hikes, as these locations typically offer greater privacy and a more authentic wilderness experience while still remaining accessible from Pineville.

Best Tent Sites Near Pineville, Missouri (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pineville, MO

2 Photos of 11 Pineville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Pineville, MO

618 Reviews of 11 Pineville Campgrounds


  • Matt S.
    Jul. 23, 2017

    Lost Bridge South

    Stay at South Bridge for Lakeside camping and beautiful scenerey

    I really like Lost Bridge South and Lost Bridge North. They are on the banks of Beaver Lake and are beautiful. The only downside is both campgrounds are built on the slopes of a hill. The RV and camper pads are level with asphalt, but to pitch a tent can be a bit tricky to find level ground.

    Personally I do not like pitching my tent on concrete or rock pads, I prefer good old grass and dirt. Both my tent and my back last a little bit longer when on soft ground versus rocks.

    The facilities were clean nice. The showers and bathrooms were pretty good. The only problem was there were no soap dispensers, so bring your own if you like clean hands.

    This is a solid four star campground. I highly recommend getting a campsite next to the lake. We had a lot of fun with some great views.

  • M
    Mar. 6, 2022

    Lost Bridge North

    Off Season Perfection

    Visited here in early spring and were spoiled with amazing lake views and not many neighbors. When the trees leaf out I’m guessing you still would have good privacy. No water hook ups at the site (if you need to fill your tank the water next to vault toilet by the lake is the most flat) but 30 amp hook up made it very comfortable. Large concrete picnic tables and fire rings (some also have grills) at each site. Close enough to Bentonville to spend a day in town or exploring Crystal Bridges!

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Gopher Valley - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Pleasant RV/Tent campground

    Gopher Valley campground in on of several campground in the Twin Bridges area of Grand Lake State Park.  This campground is fully paved with both full hook up RV camping area, tent camping area and areas that work for both.  Campground have drive through and pull in sites.  Sites all have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Campground has a large pavilion which can be rented.  The pavilion has a huge BBQ grill.  Campground has a small playground for the kids.  Small restroom with showers is available.  With the exception of the RV pull through sites all the other sites have plenty of grass to set up a tent.  Sites can be reserved.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Eagle Bluff - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Tent camping with covered picnic tables

    Eagle Bluff campground has both RV and tent camping spots.  Drive in sites have electrical, picnic tables, metal fire rings, BBQ grills and paved parking pads.  The nice part of this campground is the undeveloped camping area for those tent campers, the sites while close together have Shelters over most of the sites picnic tables as well as BBQ grills.  Sites with electricity have plenty of room for setting up tents.  Campground has a new playground for the kids.  Rest room has showers as well.  Horseshoe pits and a basketball hoop are also available.  Sites can be reserved.  A Pavilion is available.

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2018

    Natural Falls State Park Campground

    Where the Red Fern Grows

    This State Park is best known for the filming of the movie Where the Red Fern Grows and it's understandable why. The falls and the trails/nature walks are beautiful. Very easy hiking/walking with a nice reward on views of the falls and river/stream.

    Now the camping. There is an RV area and a Tent only area. When we arrived (Oct) the RV area was pretty filled up and we prefer less neighbors, plus we were tent camping. So off to the Tent camping area. The sites were nice and level but no real break up/divide between sites. Luckily there was only 2 other Tent campers when we showed up so we chose the opposite side of the area. There were fire rings, grills and cement picnic tables.

    There are full facilities and the camp host does a great job keeping them maintained and also checking in on all the campers/RV'rs.

  • S
    Oct. 21, 2019

    Natural Falls State Park Campground

    Great for small family

    We chose the rv site 16 from their website before ever seeing what the campground looked like in person. It is the site toward the back of the rv park overlooking the bluffs. 

    Our site had plenty of tree cover that kept us from seeing the bluffs; but it also provided for a cool experience looking out of the back windows of our camper, especially at night. 

    The sites are a bit too close to one another. But our neighbors in site 15 were super cool. We came with only one bundle of firewood and they quickly provided us with more than enough to have a great time, and more than enough for the next morning. 

    The reason it gets 4 stars is because the sites are too close to one another. What was especially strange is that the fire ring that belongs to site 15 was actually directly behind our pad on site 16. Our fire ring was located between our site and the other neighbor's site (17) next to us. Very strange.

    The campsite otherwise was wonderful. Our kids loved the two playgrounds. The weather was great. So we took a quick stroll through the woods and to the small waterfall nearby. Would definitely go again, maybe even to book two or three sites next to one another, being so close. That would be fun for a larger group.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2017

    Lake Wedington -- Temporarily CLOSED

    Picture Perfect camping

    A gorgeous park in the Ozarks National Forest close to the civilization in Fayettville Arkansas. This place reminded me of Lake Lure from “Dirty Dancing” with its historical buildings and beautiful lake. Super quiet at night, there were about 18 campsites in the campground (none with electric or hookups), all reservable. This was somewhat a problem as I lacked reservations. While the campground was almost empty (there were only 5 other campers), there were only two sites that were “open” for the night. An impending storm kept many from showing up, and by morning there were only 3 tents still set up. Each site had a nice tent pad that according to the campground host drained well (except for one site on the hill, can't remember which site number, which fortunately wasn’t available), grills, and fire rings. I ended up with site #10 with a great view of the lake. In fact the only thing really separating me from the lake was a nice bit of lawn and the lake trail. The hosts had put up solar lights along the path through the trees to the bathroom, which would have been helpful if not for the relentless rain that kept everyone from wandering about in the dark. In the morning I didn’t have to share the shower house with anyone except the spiders as only 3 other campers stuck it out through the night and their sites were closer to the other shower house. While not modern by any means, the shower house was clean and the water was hot. Just know that you will need to push the water button several times to get a good rinse as it only seemed to run the water for about 2 minutes a push. I didn’t drive over to check out the cabins, but I understand that you can rent a historical cabin if tent camping isn’t your thing.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 2, 2017

    Withrow Springs State Park Campground

    Great for Hiking Hobbs/ Visiting Eureka

    We have debated staying here for years but with the cost for an RV spot at $30+ per night, we were priced out. However, last fall they opened 10 walk in tent camping spots and we were sold. The cost is the normal amount of around $12 a night for a tent site and each comes with a great spot for the tent, a fire ring, and a table. The campground gets loud but it is always enjoyable. The grounds have hiking trails and a pool. We have never been on the War Eagle River to float as it is only seasonal.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Angler's Paradise - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Camp between two rivers

    Angler's Paradise campground is a 20 site campground in the Twin Bridges area of Grand Lake State Park.  The campground sits between the Neosho and Spring rivers.

    17 of the sites are RV sites with hook ups, the last three are primitive tent sites.  All sites have Picnic tables and BBQ Grills.  Some sites have hooks for lanterns.  Restrooms are on site as well as water and trash service.  Most of the RV sites are right up against each other with little room between.  It appears that this will be a busy site due to the very large boat launch at the campground.  The campground is also just off of U.S. Highway 60 so expect some road noise.  The campground does have a shelter as well that can be rented for $51.


Guide to Pineville

Tent camping around Pineville, Missouri offers primitive backcountry experiences across three states within easy driving distance. The region sits at the junction of Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma Ozark terrain, with elevations ranging from 800-1,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder 60-75°F daytime temperatures ideal for tent camping.

What to do

Swimming in natural waterways: Flint Creek in Oklahoma provides natural swimming holes with varying depths about 30 miles southwest of Pineville. According to one visitor, "They have a nice, expansive swimming and wading area all along the creek. There are deep pools and shallow wading areas to fit all ages and abilities." Flint Creek remains popular during summer months when temperatures peak.

Hiking backcountry trails: Pigeon Roost in Arkansas offers hike-in primitive campsites along trail systems within Hobbs State Park. The Pigeon Roost Primitive Campsites require backpacking gear and self-sufficiency as no amenities exist at these remote locations. These sites provide opportunities to experience true wilderness with minimal human impact.

Weekend camping retreats: Some private camping areas offer scheduled activities for weekend visitors. At Mountain View Camping in Arkansas, campers note the hospitality: "Not bad place... Owner is very nice. They feed you Friday night and Sunday morning." This communal approach creates opportunities for meeting fellow outdoor enthusiasts while enjoying the natural surroundings.

What campers like

Natural waterfall access: Seasonal water features attract many tent campers. One frequent visitor to Highwater Camp notes, "If you are looking for a nice place on the Illinois River to camp, float the river, set shuttle or just hang out, this is a very nice place. You will enjoy the privacy compared to other campgrounds in the area that have large crowds."

Lakeside camping spots: At Big Bay on Table Rock Lake, tent sites provide direct water access. A camper reports, "It's primitive camping with only port a potty style bathrooms. No showers are available. Its very wooded and private. Most sites back directly up to the lake." The proximity to water creates ideal settings for fishing, swimming, and paddling activities directly from camp.

Seclusion from crowds: Several primitive camping areas near Pineville offer isolation without excessive traffic. Campers specifically seek out locations where sites remain separated by natural vegetation and terrain features. The lack of developed facilities means fewer visitors, creating quieter camping experiences throughout the region.

What you should know

Gate access restrictions: Some conservation areas maintain limited access hours or seasonal closures. At Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area, one camper reported, "When we got there we found a locked gate across the entrance to the conservation area!" Another visitor clarified: "There is NO locked gate nice little spot cows across the street after 12hrs riding good enough for me."

Weather considerations: The Ozark region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring and fall. Thunderstorms develop quickly in summer months, often in late afternoons. Flash flooding remains possible in low-lying camp areas, particularly those near creeks and rivers. Campers should check forecasts before heading to primitive sites without cell service.

Limited facilities: Most tent camping options around Pineville provide minimal amenities. Vault toilets or portable facilities represent the most common bathroom options at established sites. Drinking water typically requires filtering from natural sources or bringing your own supply.

Tips for camping with families

Choose graduated difficulty: Families new to tent camping should consider Gibson Spring's backcountry site as an introduction to more primitive experiences. The short hike makes it manageable for children while still providing a true backcountry experience.

Bring water treatment systems: Most primitive sites lack treated water, requiring families to filter or treat spring water. Teaching children about water safety and filtration provides valuable outdoor skills education during camping trips.

Plan for creek activities: The Mountain View Camping area provides water activities suitable for various ages. One reviewer specifically mentioned how the facilities worked well for groups with children: "We loved it when we went our friends and their kids. We all had small children and this place met all of our expectations and then some."

Tips from RVers

Know campground restrictions: Many primitive sites around Pineville cannot accommodate RVs due to narrow access roads or lack of designated parking areas. When RV camping is possible, expect unleveled, unpaved parking without hookups or services.

Access route challenges: Several camping areas require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD capability. Before attempting unfamiliar roads with an RV, scout the route with a smaller vehicle or research thoroughly. One camper at Big Bay noted they "accessed camping by water the last few times" due to difficult road conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pineville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pineville, 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 Pineville, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Pineville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.