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Best Tent Camping near Wappapello, MO

285 Reviews

Tent camping options near Wappapello, Missouri include several established campgrounds within driving distance of Lake Wappapello. Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm offers 40 tent sites with walk-in access, while Opossum Creek Campground and Chaonia/Snow Creek provide more basic accommodations for tent campers. Mark Twain National Forest Float Camp Recreation Area, located in Doniphan, maintains tent sites with seasonal availability from May through October.

Most tent campsites in the Wappapello region provide basic amenities with varying levels of services. Wanderers End Sanctuary allows campfires and provides firewood, drinking water, and trash collection services for campers. Toilet facilities exist at most locations, though showers are limited throughout the area. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area offers primitive tent camping with picnic tables and fire pits at each site, but no running water. According to one visitor, "It is secluded and nice to just get away, but each campsite is very close to each other so there is not a lot of privacy."

The terrain around Wappapello provides tent campers with diverse natural settings and water features. Wanderers End Sanctuary includes creek access where campers can explore and cool off during warm weather. A camper noted that "We had so much fun playing in the creek" and appreciated the affordable rates and accommodating hosts. Float Camp Recreation Area positions tent sites near the river, creating opportunities for swimming and boating in a quiet setting. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area supports fishing, kayaking and canoeing on its no-wake lake. Sites typically remain uncrowded, especially during weekdays, making this region suitable for tent campers seeking a more secluded outdoor experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Wappapello, Missouri (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wappapello, MO

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Tent Camping Reviews near Wappapello, MO

285 Reviews of 11 Wappapello Campgrounds

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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. 11, 2021

    Deer Leap

    Leaping Lizards, it's Free

    Five miles north of Doniphan, MO on State Hwy 160 Hwy Y head north for about five miles take a left on Forest Road 4349.  Continue down and veer to the left to go to the boat ramp and day use area.  Go right to the Deer Leap Campground.

    ON the east bank of the Current River you will find dispersed camping.  There are seven campsites with fire ring, table and lantern post.  No trash service but there is a pit toilet and water.  Campsites are First Come, First Served.  No fireworks allowed.

    The campground and boat launch is located in the Mark Twain National Forest under the Eleven Point Ranger District.  The district is named after the Eleven Point River which was designated a National Scenic River in 1968.  The Eleven Point District provides a plethora of fishing, tubing and all kinds of boating options.

    Take the time to float some of the rivers for a vision of rocky bluffs, springs, birds, wildlife and local vegetation.  You are permitted to camp on the gravel bars found along the rivers and there are several primitive float camps while you are floating.

    There are so many activities that go hand in hand with fishing and tubing such as horseback riding, hiking, hunting, mountain biking and just gazing at the stars.

    At the launch site there is limited parking for floaters.  You can launch tubes, motorized and non motorized boats here.  There is also a pit toilet.  Be very careful because on the fourth the area was very crowded.  There is a vendor in the area to rent tubes and kayaks and provide shuttle service.

    The water is so beautiful, clear and moving along.  The clear, green water has the power to entice just about anyone to dip their toes in.  Remember that during the summer this river will be very crowded but even with the crowds there was more than enough room.  During the spring or fall this would be a great to kayak.  Floater access in the campground is from 4/1 - 10/1.  Boat ramp is open all year.

    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!

Guide to Wappapello

Tent camping near Wappapello, Missouri centers around Lake Wappapello, a 8,400-acre reservoir surrounded by Mark Twain National Forest. The area features Ozark highlands terrain with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. Seasonal rainfall creates periodic water level fluctuations in local creeks and waterways, affecting campsite availability during spring months.

What to do

Fishing from shore: Lake Girardeau Conservation Area offers a no-wake lake perfect for fishing. "Nice little primitive campground with about 8 small spots. Has a nice sized lake good fishing if you are using a boat, or kayak," notes camper Matthew G.

River rock hunting: Four Creeks Ranch Campground provides access to creek beds where visitors can search for interesting rocks. According to Bedriah A., "The river is beautiful. Great place to go hopping and find some cool rocks."

Swimming near camp: Mark Twain National Forest Float Camp Recreation Area positions campers near swimming areas. Jeff C. reports, "There's a nice river next to the campground for swimming and boating. The whole place is a nice quiet setting."

What campers like

Clean, basic facilities: Campers appreciate the simple but functional amenities at tent sites. "Vault toilets, and a pavilion on site," mentions Matthew G. about Lake Girardeau Conservation Area.

Off-grid seclusion: The region attracts those seeking quiet camping experiences. "This campground is totally off the beaten path. A great place to relax and unwind," notes a camper about Four Creeks Ranch Campground.

Farm experiences: Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm offers unique agricultural interactions. Bonnie M. enjoyed "learning about Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable, baby goats and baby chicks that were just all over and loving living."

What you should know

Limited privacy at some sites: Despite seclusion, some campgrounds have closely spaced sites. At Lake Girardeau Conservation Area, camper Kim R. notes, "Each campsite is very close to each other so there is not a lot of privacy. It is usually not very busy though."

Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. Float Camp Recreation Area runs from May 1 to October 1, which limits off-season options.

Primitive conditions: Most tent sites lack running water and shower facilities. "The campground area here is very small. There is no running water. There is one bathroom," explains Kim R. about Lake Girardeau.

Tips for camping with families

Animal encounters: Children enjoy the farm animals at some locations. At Wanderers End Sanctuary, Bonnie M. shares, "We had so much fun playing in the creek learning about Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable, baby goats and baby chicks."

Water play options: Creeks provide natural entertainment for kids. "My family and friends found out that I was going there and she was more than happy to help us be accommodated for so many people," mentions Bonnie about Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort.

Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, some sites offer cabins. "We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches. Small playset in the water for kids," reports Brasley C. about Whippoorwill Lake.

Tips from RVers

Electric-only sites: Mark Twain National Forest Float Camp Recreation Area provides limited hookups. Jeff C. explains, "Currently has 8 electric only sites, and 12 tent sites. All are first come, first serve. There are water spigots available for fresh water."

Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal before arrival. "The only dump station is in town at the Rocky River Resort, $10," notes Jeff C. about Float Camp Recreation Area.

Test your gear: The best tent camping near Wappapello, Missouri provides opportunities for novice campers to practice skills. One camper at Four Creeks Ranch notes it's "a good place if your new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wappapello, MO is Opossum Creek Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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