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Best Tent Camping near Van Buren, MO

569 Reviews

Tent campsites near Van Buren, Missouri range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites, with several options along the Current River and within the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. Roberts Field Backcountry Camping offers walk-in tent sites accessible by boat or on foot, while Gooseneck/Hawes Backcountry Camping provides tent-only options directly in Van Buren. The nearby Turner's Mill campground features tent sites with picnic tables and toilet facilities, making it suitable for campers seeking basic amenities.

Most tent camping areas provide fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Vault toilets are available at established sites like Turner's Mill and Whitten River Access, while backcountry locations typically lack facilities altogether. Campers should bring water purification equipment, as drinking water is limited or unavailable at most primitive tent sites. The terrain consists primarily of forested areas with varying ground conditions—some sites feature level tent pads while others require careful placement to avoid rocks and roots. Access roads to many tent campgrounds are unpaved gravel, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles or short hikes from parking areas.

Areas along the Eleven Point River offer tent campers excellent water access combined with relative seclusion. The Irish Wilderness provides more remote tent camping experiences with opportunities for multi-day backpacking trips through the 20-mile Whites Creek Loop. Tent sites at Whitten River Access are particularly popular with kayakers and anglers seeking direct river access. A visitor commented that "The Eleven Point River is beautiful and cold. Some of the best outdoor fun for adventurous people." Many tent campsites in the region remain uncrowded except during peak summer weekends, allowing for peaceful camping experiences surrounded by the Ozark forest. Fall camping is especially rewarding, with cooler temperatures and colorful foliage enhancing the tent camping experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Van Buren, Missouri (32)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Van Buren, MO

23 Photos of 32 Van Buren Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Van Buren, MO

569 Reviews of 32 Van Buren Campgrounds

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Mark Twain National Forest Watercress Recreation Area

    Same - Same Watercress

    Watercress and this campground is the same.  Mark Twain National Forest in Van Buren, Missouri along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. During the 2017 flood there was some damage to a group shelter so be careful walking. The ground is uneven and there are a lot of blocks. Watercress sits along side the Current River and the river is a beautiful emerald green where you can see the bottom. The river is prime float territory whether it be by kayak, boat, tubes, just whatever. On the weekend it will be very busy so prepare for full parking spots. What better way to see an untouched landscape as you float along the river. No need to paddle the river does all the work. 

    First getting to the Watercress was a bit confusing to us. We drove pass the Forest sign and had to come back and start over. On Highway 60 turn onto Business 60 through Van Buren. When you see the National Park Service sign on the left had side of the road you will turn onto Watercress Road. That road will take you right into the park. The day use area will be on the left side and the campground will be on the right. Van Buren is a small town and worth the very short drive to the courthouse. If you love ice cream and amazing burgers stop by the Jolly Cone. It was established in 1953 and still going strong. Our chocolate malt was so thick we had to lick it off the straw. Can't wait to go back. YUM!!! The day we were there the Jolly Cone had sponsored a car show held around the courthouse square. These small towns offer so much history. Stop in. Watercress has 17 campsites for RV and tents. This is a First Come- First Serve. Watercress offers each site with a picnic table and campfire ring. No electrical or water at the sites. Campground is open May 1- October 1. A trash dumpster is located on site during that time frame. Vault toilets and drinking water available. Fees are$10-$20 depending on site or type of pass you have. There is a fee station. The group shelters are not open at this time. The Current River is a beautiful river to boat or float. Great for kayaks or tubes. While on the river drop a line to try your hand at fishing. Catfish, sunfish, bass and walleye. You will find the Songbird Trail for hiking 1.2 miles long to the Watercress Spring. You will even run across a Civil War earthworks on the trail. Boat launch is open and offers vault toilets and trash dumpster.   Sites are large and paved.

    Check out Big Spring while in the area. It is Missouri's largest spring. There are three springs in the United States that lay claim to being the largest in the US and at different times of the year I am sure that each one is the largest. Beautiful spring. 

    Have Fun- Stay Safe 

    Leave No Trace 

    Better Than When You Found It.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Watercress

    Joy on the Twain

    Mark Twain National Forest in Van Buren, Missouri along the Ozark National Scenic Riverway.  During the 2017 flood there was some damage to a group shelter so be careful walking.  The ground is uneven and there are a lot of blocks.

    Watercress sits along side the Current River and the river is a beautiful emerald green where you can see the bottom.  The river is prime float territory whether it be by kayak, boat, tubes, just whatever.  On the weekend it will be very busy so prepare for full parking spots.  What better way to see an untouched landscape as you float along the river.  No need to paddle the river does all the work.

    First getting to the Watercress was a bit confusing to us.  We drove pass the Forest sign and had to come back and start over.  On Highway 60 turn onto Business 60 through Van Buren.  When you see the National Park Service sign on the left had side of the road you will turn onto Watercress Road.  That road will take you right into the park.  The day use area will be on the left side and the campground will be on the right.

    Van Buren is a small town and worth the very short drive to the courthouse.  If you love ice cream and amazing burgers stop by the Jolly Cone.  It was established in 1953 and still going strong.  Our chocolate malt was so thick we had to lick it off the straw.  Can't wait to go back.  YUM!!!  The day we were there the Jolly Cone had sponsored a car show held around the courthouse square.  These small towns offer so much history.  Stop in.

    Watercress has 17 campsites for RV and tents.  This is a First Come - First Serve.  Watercress offers each site with a picnic table and campfire ring.  No electrical or water at the sites.  Campground is open May 1 - October 1.  A trash dumpster is located on site during that time frame.  Vault toilets and drinking water available.  Fees are $10 - $20 depending on site  or type of pass you have.  There is a fee station.  The group shelters are not open at this time.  Sites are large and paved.

    The Current River is a beautiful river to boat or float.  Great for kayaks or tubes.  While on the river drop a line to try your hand at fishing.  Catfish, sunfish, bass and walleye.

    You will find the Songbird Trail for hiking 1.2 miles long to the Watercress Spring.  You will even run across a Civil War earthworks on the trail.  Boat launch is open and offers vault toilets and trash dumpster.

    Check out Big Spring while in the area.  It is Missouri's largest spring.  There are three springs in the United States that lay claim to being the largest in the US and at different times of the year I am sure that each one is the largest.  Beautiful spring.

    Have Fun - Stay Safe

    Leave No Trace

    Better Than When You Found It.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Memories of Days Gone By

    The people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States.  A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.

    Big Springs was Missouri's first state park.  The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there.  In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore.  Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160.  Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring.  The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.

    The campground is large and open.  Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together.  Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer.  There is a dump site.  During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric.  If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area.  The tent site area is large and open to the sun.  Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.

    There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.

    The Ranger programs are well worth checking out.  Take advantage.

    The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers.  You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.

    Have Fun - Stay Safe

    Leave No Trace

    Better Than When You Found It

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Needs some State government love

    For Labor Day we stayed at Big Spring State Park CG, near Van Buren, Missouri which is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

    We arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp in the 100 loop, which are primitive campsites with fire ring, picnic table and lantern hook. Nice shady outer ring with plenty of room to set up your area. The inner ring is less private and lacking in shade. There are trails from the back sites to the river and the wading/swimming was nice. Where your hiking shoes to get there, and pack your water shoes you’ll probably want them for the rocky river bottom. 

     In May 2017 the area had major flooding. ( A Park Ranger put on a very informative slide show about it Friday evening) The park is still in the process of rebuilding many of its structures. That being said there are porta pots in two of the campground loops and some of the trails are closed still. The actual showerhouse was extremely busy and not well maintained. Spiders galore, three claustrophobic shower stalls (one was inoperable) with questionable cleanliness and the configuration is just weird. I’ve said it before , it’s unfortunate that the state does not keep these awesome areas maintained. 

    The campground was full but we still had privacy and the noise was never intrusive on our activities. 

    Big Spring is pretty awesome. There is a trail that circles up around the spring to the far side and several areas to take pictures from. It’s worth the visit to see the spring. We will visit again but I think I will take my field shower!

  • S
    May. 26, 2022

    Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

    Dry camping dispersed NF campground

    There are 15 paved sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and a pole to hang a lantern. Some sites are double width. There are two (nice & clean) vault toilets, one in the campground near the entrance and the other at the day use/boat launch site, no electric, water, dumpster or garbage. Pack it in and pack it out. There's a 1.3 mile paved trail along the lake and a dock. There is some noise from 60 but it's hardly noticeable. My time here has been quiet except for some drunken yahoos one night.

    The only negative is there are a lot of ticks! They are easy to spot on my white dog but I have to do a tick check every time he goes outside, and I always find some. Avoid the vegetation and you'll see less. Make sure you check yourself.

  • M
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    Gorgeous in the Fall

    My group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn’t get enough of the front-row lake view! The sites closest to the lake are very level, and everyone in the campground is only a short walk from the cleanest park restrooms I’ve ever seen. If you’re like me and are just doing basic tent camping, I’d recommend a pop-up canopy for the table area since there is not a lot of tree cover in those sites. Overall, an excellent place to camp!

  • L
    Aug. 31, 2019

    Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

    Peaceful

    Just off highway, it is dispersed camping in a park that no longer charges, blacktop pad, lantern hook, picnic table, fire ring w cooking grate at ea site, vault toilets.

    There was a fire a few years ago so some burned out areas, lots of firewood, small lake for fishing no motorized boats, great hike/walk around lake.  There is a gas station/truck stop near.   Great stop to regroup on a long road trip.

  • Mike V.
    Aug. 3, 2016

    Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground

    Camping, hiking, sightseeing, & birding at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in Missouri

    Gave this campground a 5-star rating, but it probably should only be a 4 star. It only has about 12 basic tent campsites, no water or electrical at the sites. The campsites were nicely spaced, most have a lot of shade, each has a picnic table and a place to make a fire. No trailers allowed at camp sites, just tents. There is one or two special-use camping areas that can be used for groups such as boy scouts, etc. It appears you can pay in advance and reserve some campsites, so that you be sure to get one for your trip. I went in late May on the Mon-Tue of-after Memorial Day weekend and was able to find an available campsite even though I did not have a reservation. Camping fees/rates were posted on a board near the restroom building by the honor system camping fee pay station.
    The restroom bldg only has pit toilets, not flush toilets. But they were cleaned very well by the workers on the 2nd day I was there. Also worth noting is that there is water faucet an a drinking fountain next to the restroom bldg, so you can get fresh water if needed. OK, so this sounds normal to average, so why give this campground a good rating? Because of location to the great stuff near-by on this mountain.
    Missouri's High Point is here on this mountain. There is a very nice overlook w/ viewing platform w/ handrails very close to the campground. Some awesome hiking trails are worth checking out, although they are a bit rugged in places where you could twist an ankle. One of the trails will take you to a nice waterfall, which is Missouri's highest falls. Note that I would not call it MO's largest waterfall. Further to all of this great stuff is that the birds were plentiful and quite active when I was there. Easy to watch and listen to them at the camping area, and at the overlook viewing platform. Birds were pretty much everywhere. There is also a look-out tower up on the mountain, which is probably used as a fire watch tower. A few pictures attached.

  • Leah H.
    Jul. 18, 2017

    Silver Mines

    Great Camping Near the River

    This camp site has RV hook-ups and tent camping. There are trees throughout the campground if you're looking to set up a hammock. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and is a mix of grass and light gravel. Pit toilets, no showers. Water spigots throughout the camp ground. Keep an eye out for snakes though! I nearly stepped on a copper head in the outhouse! Camp sites are a 2 minute walk to the St. Francois River. Great hiking along the river and good fishing, swimming and kayaking in the river! Also not to far from the Castor River Shut-ins if you're looking to pack two rivers into one trip. We just celebrated my husband's birthday here last weekend, though we have been a few times before. Always a blast!

Guide to Van Buren

Tent campers visiting Van Buren, Missouri can explore diverse camping options throughout the Ozark Highlands. This region features elevations ranging between 600-1,000 feet with predominantly oak-hickory forests covering the hillsides. The area experiences relatively mild winters and humid summers, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. Most primitive sites lack cell service, so preparation is essential.

What to do

Explore springs and mills: Turner's Mill offers excellent access to natural springs and historical structures. One camper noted, "Water from the cave is so fresh and clear! Truly a beautiful area!" The site provides a combination of natural beauty and historical interest.

Fish for trout: McCormack Lake Rec Area offers solid fishing opportunities. A visitor mentioned it's "A really nice place to go hang out" with "great fishing." The lake provides a peaceful setting for anglers of all skill levels.

Backpacking adventures: The Irish Wilderness features extensive trail systems for overnight hikers. A camper advised, "Plan around hitting the two springs on both legs of the 20 mile loop. BRING A GPS! The trail is very easy to lose and after 20+ miles you'll want the comfort of knowing where you have been/are going!"

What campers like

Riverside camping: The proximity to clear, cool rivers draws many visitors. At Boze Mill Float Camp, one camper shared, "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."

Solitude on weekdays: Many sites offer peaceful experiences outside peak periods. At Jerktail Landing, a visitor observed it's "Very quiet and lightly used on weekdays but can get a bit busy on Friday and Saturday nights." This pattern holds true across many local camping areas.

Natural swimming opportunities: The cold, clear rivers provide refreshing swimming spots during hot weather. A Turner's Mill camper reported, "The river is shallow enough to wade across and cool off in. Great spot if you are in the area."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities. At Whitten River Access, a camper described it as having "river access via a boat ramp and 'dock'. There are several level, clear places to camp with enough room for RVs. It's otherwise primitive camping."

Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging, especially for larger vehicles. At Whitten River Access, a visitor warned, "The road in is rough gravel and a big RV will be slow going."

Wildlife encounters: Local camping areas feature active wildlife. At Four Creeks Ranch, a camper mentioned the "dogs are friendly and IMO a good addition to make the place feel comfortable." Always store food properly to avoid attracting wild animals.

Tips for camping with families

Check water levels: River conditions can change quickly in this region. For kayaking families at Four Creeks Ranch Campground, a visitor noted, "The river is beautiful. Great place to go hopping and find some cool rocks."

Bring insect protection: Bug activity can be significant in warmer months. One Eleven Point River camper reported, "I always get eaten up by mosquitos in this area."

Consider off-grid training: These sites provide good introductory wilderness experiences. A camper at Four Creeks Ranch observed it's "a good place if you're new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Large RVs face limitations at most sites. At Jerktail Landing, a visitor cautioned, "Probably not a good idea to try to bring large camping units to this site. It is a facility of the National Park Service and has a $5 nightly fee with half off for holders of senior passes."

Site selection: Finding level ground can be challenging. At Whitten River Access, a winter camper noted, "Found a level spot by the river, ground was frozen or it would have been muddy."

Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can be significant. The same winter camper at Whitten River Access reported, "No one around on this 5 degrees F night. Access road is steep but not rough."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Van Buren, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Van Buren, MO is Four Creeks Ranch Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Van Buren, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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