Best Tent Camping near Pottersville, MO

Tent camping options surrounding Pottersville, Missouri include several primitive sites along scenic waterways in the Ozark region. Visitors can access established tent areas at Noblett Lake, where sites are situated near a small lake with fishing opportunities, or at Turner's Mill which provides streamside camping with minimal amenities. The nearby Boze Mill Float Camp along the Eleven Point River offers dedicated tent sites that serve as popular rest stops for paddlers and anglers.

Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities like fire rings and vault toilets, though water sources are limited at many locations. The access roads to sites like Whitten River Access consist of rough gravel that may challenge low-clearance vehicles during wet conditions. McCormack Lake Recreation Area provides free camping with drinking water and toilets available, while more remote options like Sycamore Loop Dispersed camping offer increased solitude but fewer facilities. A recent review noted, "Most spots no longer seemed camp friendly, as new tree growth has taken over," highlighting the evolving nature of these primitive sites. During winter months, several areas remain open but require proper cold-weather gear as temperatures can drop significantly.

The Eleven Point River corridor provides multiple tent camping opportunities with direct water access. Campsites at Boze Mill Float Camp include fire rings, picnic tables, and shepherds hooks for lanterns. According to one visitor, "This is primitive camping at its best. They have one vault toilet, tent sites, and a water spigot." Many tent sites along rivers feature level clearings with natural shade from mature trees. Summer brings increased activity from paddlers, particularly at access points like Whitten River Access, while fall and spring offer more solitude. Turner's Mill provides excellent tent camping with trout fishing access, though campers should note the restrooms are a short walk from the campsites. Most sites remain uncrowded during weekdays, with local wildlife and the sounds of flowing water creating a genuine backcountry tent camping experience.

Best Tent Sites Near Pottersville, Missouri (20)

    1. Noblett Lake

    3 Reviews
    Willow Springs, MO
    15 miles
    Website

    $50 / night

    "There is plenty of wildlife around and a lake not too far away from you. It is around 20 -25 dollars a night. I think this place is perfect for a wedding"

    2. Sycamore Loop Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Willow Springs, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    3. Rippee Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    Vanzant, MO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 256-7161

    4. COE Norfork Lake Tecumseh Park

    1 Review
    Elizabeth, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 425-2700

    5. Rymers Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    2 Reviews
    Birch Tree, MO
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $5 / night

    "This is on the Jacks Fork River, blue green crystal clear water, vault toilets only, in October after closing can be solo camping.           "

    6. McCormack Lake Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "We had a local with his hounds running around with a flashlight looking up trees for about an hour around 9PM. I'm guessing he was raccoon hunting...?"

    "Totally alone with a gorgeous lake."

    7. Boze Mill Float Camp

    6 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Several dedicated camp sites that each have fire ring, shepherds hook, picnic table. There is one pit toilet building."

    "Great place to go primitive if the weather is right and no matter the weather, the water is beautiful. Our favorite time to go is in the fall when the leaves begin to change."

    8. Turner's mill

    4 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    43 miles

    "I grew up going here and it is great , there is great trout fishing and several real good swing holes the campsites are right beside the river which is really nice , the only issue is the restroom is a"

    "River access and super close to stream/cave/waterfall area. Water from the cave is so fresh and clear! Truly a beautiful area!"

    9. Rush Campground — Buffalo National River

    4 Reviews
    Cozahome, AR
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 449-4311

    "This is primitive camping at its best. They have one vault toilet, 12 tent sites, and a water spigot. Right on the beautiful buffalo river. The sites were patrolled by rangers on a regular basis."

    "Plenty of shade options. Restrooms are pit-style, so dont expect anything fancy. Did not see shower facilities where we were at."

    10. Whitten River Access

    2 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    45 miles

    "There's a vault toilet. It's otherwise primitive camping. Our group kayaks in during trout fishing trips and have never had a problem finding a place to camp."

    "No one around on this 5 degrees F night. Access road is steep but not rough."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pottersville, MO

3 Photos of 20 Pottersville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Pottersville, MO

290 Reviews of 20 Pottersville Campgrounds


  • Renee H.
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Dam - Quarry

    Clean campground, nice location

    Average space between sites. Level paved sites with gravel picnic area including picnic table, fire ring, lantern hanger. Some sites had covered picnic area. Limited shade, most sites don’t have trees. Good access to sites. Clean and private bathrooms. Each room had its own lockable bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. Garbage cans were outside of bathrooms, as well as dumpsters near the registration building. Friendly staff upon check in. Campground was patrolled regularly. No laundry or recycling. Nearby road with little road noise. Verizon cell signal was excellent. There is a dump station and potable fill station. No store or food for purchase on site. No hiking in campground, but multiple trails nearby. Boat ramp at campground and lots of wading fly fishing in river. Fish hatchery across from campground.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Basic but very quiet and peaceful

    General: We were apprehensive about planning to stay at this campground as the nearby one in Blanchard Springs was closed, we could not make reservations, five of the 27 sites were closed due to potential flooding from Hurricane Laura, and access is via a three-mile winding dirt road (not recommended for large RVs but it was navigable for our campervan), so we made alternate backup plans. There was no need to worry, however, as there were plenty of open sites, including some overlooking North Sylamore Creek when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October for a hike. 

    Sites/Facilities: Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, and lantern pole. There is a central water source.

    Activities/Amenities: This is a no-frills campground – no electric or water hookups, dumpster, playground, or flush toilets – just vault toilets. What struck me most was how quiet it was. There is access to the Sylamore hiking trail; you can hike five miles to the Blanchard Springs picnic area.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Wonderful overnight

    We hiked in to this campground from Blanchard and were pleasantly surprised. It is primitive in some aspects but not overtly so. They have vault toilets that were manageable and spickets for water. We grabbed a site that had a bi-level for the tent and picnic table. There was a fire ring as well. Overall, it has some stuff to do being by the river and a longish trail to explore. We may have been to tired to care about some of the finer details so we were pretty happy with this site!

  • A
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Small sites with little privacy - campground fine, but not great

    I'd seen a lot of great reviews for this campground, so I had high expectations when we arrived for a night in early November. We reserved a spot in the 900 loop, just to be safe - a few of the camping loops allow reservations, and the rest are walk in. The loop was very open, spaces all fully visible to each other. The bathrooms were locked for the season after 10/15. 

    Since things were pretty empty, we moved to the 500 loop, which was more tree covered, near the river, and next to the shower house, which was the one park bath open for the winter. Bathrooms and showers were clean, though no camp host was present the night we stayed. 

    We were the only people on the 500 loop, so it was fine, but again - sites VERY close together. Some picnic tables were less than 20 feet apart. The 600 loop was the only heavily occupied loop when were there, filled with campers, presumably because of the electric access. 

    This is a NPS campground, so its amenities tend to be fewer than many MO state parks. I have other parks in this area that have more scenic and private tent camping. Just on the other side of the river is the Alley spring and mill, which are lovely - and ironically, some of the picnic sites are more spacious than these tent sites. I wish we could camp on that side!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Remote Inexpensive Camping Along Water

    For Full Video Review. CLICK HERE

    While traveling through this portion of Arkansas I stumbled upon a small roadside for Gunner Pool Recreation Area just a short distance past Blanchard Springs.    3 miles down a gravel, but well maintained roadway, the campground sat nestled between to sections of the water way.     On one side, slow moving water is met by the dam forming the blue toned pool and on the other a gentle flowing stream flanks the massive mountain side.   

    Along the camping loop, spaces are well separated and have plenty of room to spread out.   Each site is equipped with standard camping amenities such as picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire rings.      Vault toilets are centrally located in several areas of camp both on the upper and lower loops.   In addition locking style garbage cans are placed near restrooms. 

    When I visited the Forest Service was on property trimming trees and clearing debris from recent rain.   Their office is located just a short distance from the entry of the roadway, so they are often here to work on the property.

    A little gem in the midst of the campground is located just across from the pay kiosk, the story of the property and the CCC camp which actually created not only this property but also worked on neighboring sites at Blanchard.   Definitely check out the story!!

    Tips:

    • Bring your own envelop for the pay kiosk, when I visited the paper envelops were soggy and unable to be used.    You can easily pull one but putting money in them they simply fell apart.
    • Bring everything.   There are no stores in the camp in addition to no fire wood available at the campsite so make sure you come prepared.    The closest store for major things is located over 15 miles away.
  • M
    May. 6, 2022

    Twin Bridges Canoe Campground

    Early season, limited services

    Tent camped here with a group of private boat paddlers from all over the country. Campground operations had not really started for the season. I arrived after dark and could not find the tent campsites. Nearly drove into deep mud on gravel road past RV sites. Fortunately had just enough cell signal to access their website. Found a campground map three layers deep on reservation page and located my group. 

    Tent sites were well-located along the river with basic tables and fire rings. I never found the store to be open so paid camping fee at bar and cafe at entrance. Great breakfast. $25/night for tents.  Grass had not been mowed and was deep in tent area. RV sites appear to be a work in progress with much erosion around the new pads and access road. What may have been a shower house had key code locks but there was never anyone to ask. Bathrooms near the entrance lacked tp in some stalls. All one afternoon and evening a group of kids with gas weed trimmers  noisely worked on a slope adjacent to the RV area. 

    This campground should improve over time a the management appears to be developing the grounds.

  • Wayne P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2020

    Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake

    Wonderful camping

    Great site to camp. Concrete pads and asphalt driveway. Good road around campsites. Pads are very level. Sites have a lot of space between them with many Oak shade trees. Covered picnic table. The table was newer aluminum and clean. Camping at it’s best. Good water and electric hook up. Dump station has two stalls and is in great shape.

  • M
    May. 27, 2024

    Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Needs tent pads

    Pretty campground with river access and accessible restrooms. Showers were a little far from our loop. I wish the sites had tent pads as it was hard to find a flat spot to place the tent and several holes in the terrain. There is NO cell signal, so I highly recommend you take a weather radio. I wish we had.

  • J K.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Great campground close to eminence

    This is a great campground that is just outside of eminence and has just about everything that you need from spacious tree covered tent sites to full RV sites as well. Easy access to both the jacks for river and Alley spring Because flooding destroyed the old restroom a new one has been built in its place with a full shower house as well. If you want a nice peaceful campground that is in the heart of the Ozarks scenic River Ways you will definitely want to check this place out


Guide to Pottersville

Nestled in the heart of Missouri, Pottersville offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The serene environment at Noblett Lake provides a lovely day-use area perfect for picnics and fishing, making it a great spot for families.
  • For those seeking a more secluded experience, Sycamore Loop Dispersed offers a quiet atmosphere surrounded by nature, ideal for amateur campers.
  • The picturesque Rippee Conservation Area features beautiful scenery along Bryant Creek, perfect for fishing and enjoying a peaceful day outdoors.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At McCormack Lake Rec Area, visitors can enjoy fishing and swimming in a tranquil lake setting, making it a great spot for a relaxing day.
  • The unique landscape at Turner's Mill invites campers to explore its crystal-clear springs and river, perfect for wading and cooling off.
  • Adventurous campers can experience cliff jumping at Stinking Pond Float Camp, which also offers a fun floating experience for those looking to camp overnight.

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • Rymers Backcountry Camping provides essential amenities like picnic tables and toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay while enjoying the great outdoors.
  • Campers at Matney Campground can take advantage of the beautiful Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, offering a serene backdrop for tent camping.
  • The well-reviewed COE Norfork Lake Tecumseh Park features picnic tables and a reservable area, making it a convenient choice for those looking to enjoy a lakeside camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pottersville, MO is Noblett Lake with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pottersville, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Pottersville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.