Best Dispersed Camping near Van Buren, MO
Dispersed camping options near Van Buren, Missouri include several primitive sites along the Current River within the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. Log Yard Campground offers backcountry camping directly on the riverbank with limited amenities. Whitten River Access provides boat launch facilities with level camping areas suitable for tents and small RVs. McCormack Lake Recreation Area features free camping with basic facilities including vault toilets and picnic tables. Cane Bluff River Access and Beaver Lake Recreation Area round out the available dispersed camping locations in the region.
Vehicle access varies significantly between sites. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended for Log Yard Campground, where crossing creeks may be necessary and wet gravel can cause vehicles to become stuck. According to reviews, Murphy Overlook requires AWD or 4x4 vehicles to navigate the 6-mile forest service road. Several campers noted that "the road is rough gravel and a big RV will be slow going" at Whitten River Access, though passenger vehicles can typically reach most sites during dry conditions.
Most dispersed sites in the area permit fires in established rings, but campers must bring their own firewood. Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent at most locations, particularly at Log Yard where "there is no cell service so you'll have to drive up the road to Ellington to get anything." Wildlife sightings are common, including beavers at Little Scotia Pond and even black bears near Murphy Overlook. Vault toilets are available at some locations, but drinking water is rarely provided. Weekday visits are recommended for solitude, as boat traffic and local visitors can create noise on summer weekends. Ticks are prevalent during warm months, and proper precautions should be taken.
