The best HIKE IN camping near
Springfield , MISSOURI

But here we go….

This place is AMAZING! Gun range, Horse Riding Trails, Camping and a water source. The scenery is so breathtaking and you never want to leave!

Nestled on one of the best lakes in Missouri is this clean, family campground. Fairly level sites with quite a few lake sites. Nice boat ramp and swim area. Clean shower houses well located around the camping areas. Only complaint I could find with this location is trying to book an open spot and no full hook up. Loved this camp ground and will come back again.

This was my 4 year old son’s FIRST camping trip. And it rained like CRAZZZYYYYY. But man we had fun! My wife is 29 weeks pregnant and she came too! Between fishing and canoeing and swimming and our hike… wow! The Carrick Creek loop was a little harder than anticipated… or it could just be that I’m out of shape. Either way. We can’t wait to get back out in the woods soon!

Nice place to walk in the woods, camping by permit, short drive from Springfield, high traffic

Words can’t describe! Peaceful and quite. Easy access to the lake and ONLY place our family camps!

Only 4 miles from Branson, Table Rock Lake state park is a great place to stay. Most campsites are shaded, modern shower houses, nice blacktop walking trail 4 miles long, goes all the way to the visitors center at the dam, great for bicycles also. Plenty of things to do in this area if desired or lay back and enjoy the quite Ozark woods

Swim area is a canoe drop in for other companies. Luckily the water was up higher so we were able to use a shallow area. Power boxes were missing covers. Property has potential. Shady area and easy to get to. We had little kids so it didn't work out as well. Large tent camp area.

This area is a wilderness area so camping is plentiful.  However in this particular are there is no organized campsite specifically.  Instead there are several areas where you can with permissions hike in and stay.  

My suggestion for camping along this area are to check with local restrictions, there are some that you will want to make sure you know first hand.   Sometimes fire restrictions do change and these can be found at the beginning of the trails on the kiosks.   Some areas also are not permitted for overnight parking so you want to check those out before venturing into the wilderness for a lengthy time.

Check with rangers of the area to make sure you are not in a register only or permit only area for camping!!  Very important in this region.

Bring everything and then plot your course.

The 4 mile hike is amazing and has many beautiful view points however it is also quite treacherous in some areas.    This area is also one which you will find many snakes lurking during warmer months so beware!!!!   

I always suggest on wilderness hikes to not hike alone or camp alone but this one I found to be more problematic with limited to no cell service for assistance should you encounter danger.   

Be careful but have fun!!!

Any stay at Table Rock State Park is a treat.   This park is one I have been staying at off and on since I was young so it has been great to see the park continue to grow and upgrade since that time.   

Camping as a tent camper in the primitive areas I have noticed that the spacing has always been just enough along the outer loops.   In the more open middle areas it tends to get a bit more chaotic especially during weekends or holidays.    I tend to stay off on the rim of the loop, which is a bit further to walk to the restrooms, but is valuable in that no one walks around your site to get to another location.

All sites primitive and improved have common features with picnic tables and fire rings.   The improved sites have both 30 and 50 amp connections to choose from.   This is handy when your rig can run off the smaller voltage because you will save a few dollars by selecting the smaller connection site.

Bathrooms have come a long way since the older days.   What once was a daddy long leg haven with open showers only divided by shower curtains and cavernous and non climate controlled restrooms, is now evolving to a more individual shower and restroom area with door closures and better climate control and venting.   It no longer smells like mildew because the moisture is not stuck inside.

A path runs along the backside of the campground which you can travel along to access the water.  This path will allow you to walk from the marina to the Branson Belle and all the way to the Dewey Short Visitor Center to learn a bit more about the lake and its creation.    Along the opposite side of the highway you will find more than a few trailheads which are great for a little departure from the typical Branson experience.

When I visited this time the waters were very high on the main side of the lake making it impossible to enjoy the shoreline which had been swallowed by the overflowing banks. Instead, I traveled to the side which is less traveled and enjoyed some quiet retreat alongside some bass fishermen on the spillway side of the water.

Quite a difference in crowds as this area with access to hiking and relaxing was mellow. To access this area I suggest taking the last turn off across the road from the Dewey Short parking into a large parking lot with a view point of the dam.   From this point take the small side road which departs the parking lot and follow it down til it dead ends and there you will find a hiking access point and a wonderful trail to the water.

Absolutely beautiful hiking trails and amazing off grid camping for family. Just make sure to bring the bug spray and tikis bc there are tons of bugs.