Best Campgrounds near Willow Springs, MO

Camping in the Missouri Ozarks near Willow Springs encompasses developed campgrounds, dispersed sites, and cabin rentals within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Notable options include Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park offering full hookup sites and cabin accommodations, while Blue Spring Backcountry Camping and Noblett Lake Dispersed Camping provide more primitive experiences along waterways. Alley Spring Campground, approximately 35 miles northeast of Willow Springs, serves as a popular base for exploring the spring-fed Current River and historic mill.

Seasonal variations significantly affect camping experiences in this region, with most developed campgrounds operating from mid-April through October. The area's numerous waterways, including the Current River and North Fork River, create potential for flash flooding during heavy rain events. A visitor noted, "If the weather moves in, it would be wise to pack up and move out while you can. If the creek comes up, you may not be able to cross it again." Many forest service roads leading to dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall when creek crossings can become impassable. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the region, with most reliable coverage found at developed campgrounds like Twin Bridges Canoe Campground and Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park.

The spring-fed rivers and clear springs represent standout features for campers in the Willow Springs area. Campgrounds near water sources receive consistently positive reviews, with several visitors highlighting the crystal-clear water quality. One camper described the Current River as "awesome, cold, and a highlight of the campground." Tent sites at locations like Round Spring Campground offer varied terrain, with some campers recommending careful site selection: "Sites 1-18 are fairly small and not very level. Sites 19-29 have larger, more level areas." Wildlife viewing opportunities include otters, wild horses, and the reintroduced elk herd near Log Yard Campground. While many campgrounds maintain vault toilets year-round, several reviewers note that shower facilities at locations like Montauk State Park typically close during the off-season.

Best Camping Sites Near Willow Springs, Missouri (110)

    1. Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Willow Springs, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 469-3351

    "If you’re traveling through southern Missouri and looking for a park to stay in, this is a great choice! Right off the interstate and easy to get in to."

    2. Noblett Lake

    3 Reviews
    Willow Springs, MO
    10 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"

    3. Road Runner RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Pomona, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 255-0213

    "We were in a close to level spot with newer looking hook ups."

    "This was right on the highway, but no road noise. Check in was super easy, full hook ups and easy in and out. Looks like they changed the name to Silver Springs RV park. Enjoyed the pool."

    4. Blue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    8 Reviews
    Mountain View, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    "We visit this campground multiple times a year and it's always a positive experience. My parents have ano rv and they allow us to camp in a tent next to them!"

    "Stayed at site 9 next to the river. No need to go find the scan and pay by the vault toilet all the sites have QR codes at the sites for scan and pay."

    5. Noblett Lake Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Willow Springs, MO
    10 miles

    "If you go down the road to what used to actually be the Noblett Lake campground (it is now a picnic area, no overnight camping allowed). They do have vault toilets available but they're gross."

    6. Twin Bridges Canoe Campground

    4 Reviews
    Dora, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 256-7507

    $11 - $220 / night

    7. Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    28 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "Chose this location to be our hub while completing a Missouri springs tour. Visited 8 springs in total. Checked out the camping facilities at every spring that offered camping."

    "At this campground you have walking distance access to the river and a rental place nearby. Check out the Alley Mill while your there."

    8. Sycamore Loop Dispersed

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

    9. North Fork

    6 Reviews
    Dora, MO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 438-5427

    "There are some trails from the sites to the river but nature has mostly taken them over and it is not a safe trek."

    "Beautiful scenery with good hiking nearby. Sites are first come, first served, but so worth the risk! We LOVED it!!"

    10. Montauk State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Jadwin, MO
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 548-2201

    "Another great trout park on Missouri"

    "Montauk State Park is one of the Missouri Conservations four trout parks, and is located at the headwaters of the beautiful Current River."

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Recent Reviews near Willow Springs, MO

334 Reviews of 110 Willow Springs Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park

    Great Little Gem

    Nicely kept small park with some shady spots. Inexpensive. About 2 miles from main highway.

  • J
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Beautiful but not free

    Stunning views. Multiple spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. They have a QR code on each picnic table so you can book your site through the state and pay $10 to Camp but there's no service in that area so I'm not sure how they expect us to be able to do that. There's two camping sections. One is about halfway down the road. It's grass and trees and it's across from a vault toilet and a trash bin. If you go all the way to the end of the road it rocks and sand and you're right on the water but there's no toilets or trash.

    The coordinates for this place just takes you to the start of the road not to the actual campsites. So once you get to the road just drive down it. It's not too far and car could make it.

    The only annoying thing was that when I stayed with my tent on the rocks by the water, all the way at the end, I could still hear the person at the very first campsite with RV generator humming very loudly and it took away a lot of the ambiance of the place. So it's primitive but you may not be alone.

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Montauk State Park Campground

    Relaxing

    Very nice campground, tons of shade! My site (206) was very level and was surrounded in trees like basically ever other site which made it comfortable to sit outside all day. We’ve been down here a couple times now and would highly recommend it.

  • J
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Noblett Lake Dispersed Camping

    Actually found it.

    Most of the sites on this app that say there's just first camping this area or wrong. They've been turned into day. Use only areas. We did find this small road with a loop at the end that have pull-in campsites. They're nothing special, some of them are overgrown. Mostly all of them don't have any kind of fire ring. Looks like nobody really ever comes out here. There's a big one at the very end of the road where the circle is. It does have a rock fire ring and it's probably the nicest one available. There was nobody here when I came so it was fun to let the dogs run.

    If you go down the road to what used to actually be the Noblett Lake campground (it is now a picnic area, no overnight camping allowed). They do have vault toilets available but they're gross.

    This road and loop is just straight primitive camping. Nothing special at all.

  • J
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Sycamore Loop Dispersed

    Not able to get in.

    Pretty much all the campsites listed in this area have been turned into day use only/ No camping here spots. The gate to go down towards this campsite was locked.

  • Brian L.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Gamaliel

    New paved areas

    Good concrete pad. Abit short for our 36' camper. Parking available on road or grass.

  • Flora M.
    Jun. 7, 2025

    Missouri RV Park

    Small gravel parking pad

    Very disappointed. Stopped here for the night on the way to Branson because I work from home and needed an evening to catch up on work. They advertise WiFi but I could not get on it for more than a minute at a time. Gave up and pulled out for Branson. Got no work done. 

    Camper pad was a little gravel driveway basically between 2 gravel roads. Bathrooms were ok.


Guide to Willow Springs

Dispersed camping spots near Willow Springs, Missouri offer varied terrain options throughout the Mark Twain National Forest. The region sits at elevations of 800-1,500 feet with 42 inches of annual rainfall creating flash flood risks from April through June. Creek crossings on forest roads frequently become impassable after moderate rainfall, with several inches of water covering low-water bridges.

What to do

Fishing for trout: Montauk State Park Campground provides excellent trout fishing opportunities at the headwaters of the Current River. A visitor notes, "You can purchase a trout tag at the lodge for $3.00, and it will allow you to keep 4 trout per day with a possession limit of 8. The conservation will stock the Current on a nightly basis, based on number of tags sold the day before."

River swimming: North Fork recreation area offers swimming spots suitable for different ages. A camper shares, "Great swimming for adults and kids, has a really nice spring and all." The river area includes partially washed-away concrete slabs requiring caution, as another camper warns: "There are large sections of concrete/asphalt slabs, picnic tables, stationary grills, and parking wheel blocks scattered and partially buried all along the bank."

Wildlife viewing: When camping at Blue Spring Backcountry Camping, visitors can observe various wildlife species. "This is a primitive camping area... There are so many areas to visit around the river this would be an excellent base camp or you could use it as a stop off on a float trip," explains one camper. The riverside location allows for spotting river wildlife during early morning and evening hours.

What campers like

Private riverside sites: Campsites at North Fork Recreation Area provide privacy and natural sound features. A camper describes, "The sites are private and shaded, lots of trees. Sites are right on the river so you can hear it rushing as you fall asleep."

Firefly displays: The natural lighting at night enhances the camping experience. As one reviewer at North Fork Recreation Area details, "Nighttime was magical. It was absolutely silent besides the sounds of nature and the river. Our favorite part was the THOUSANDS of fireflies. They were like a blanket or waves of twinkles through the whole loop."

Spring-fed waters: Alley Spring Campground serves as a gateway to exploring natural springs in the area. "Chose this location to be our hub while completing a Missouri springs tour. Visited 8 springs in total," reports one camper. The clear blue springs maintain consistent water temperatures year-round, creating unique swimming experiences compared to the river waters.

What you should know

Campground closures and conversions: Several former campgrounds have been converted to day-use only areas. A visitor to Noblett Lake Dispersed Camping shares, "Pretty much all the campsites listed in this area have been turned into day use only/ No camping here spots. The gate to go down towards this campsite was locked."

Mixed reviews on primitive sites: Dispersed camping areas often receive contradictory reports. At Sycamore Loop Dispersed, a camper notes, "Ok place to camp, pretty secluded, old campground but most spots no longer seemed camp friendly, as new tree growth has taken over. Seems to be a guy living in a rv at the end of the road which is really close to the one camping friendly spot."

Seasonal limitations: Off-season camping brings reduced services. A camper at Twin Bridges Canoe Campground explains, "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 never found the store to be open so paid camping fee at bar and cafe at entrance."

Tips for camping with families

Consider restaurant options: Twin Bridges Canoe Campground provides food services for families wanting a break from camp cooking. A visitor highlights, "Great on site restaurant with bar and grill that has Saturday karaoke and Friday live bands. The best showers with privacy and cleanliness. Has extras on site like cornhole, basketball, Foosball, and a pool table."

Pack high-top water shoes: Multiple rocky creek crossings require appropriate footwear. A Blue Spring Backcountry camper advises, "Take your water shoes, the river is awesome!!" This becomes especially important when visiting multiple water sites.

Book far in advance for peak season: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly for weekend stays. As one Montauk State Park visitor warns, "The campgrounds and cabins can be a bit difficult to book, if visiting on a Friday or Saturday, but the park is worth it." Reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance for summer dates.

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park provides full services for larger rigs. "Site was fairly level. Definitely a wooded setting. Could tell work was being done to clear away brush and debris," notes one RVer. The park's proximity to Highway 60 creates some road noise but offers easy access.

Consider size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. At Road Runner RV Park (now Silver Springs RV Park), a visitor mentions, "We reserved a pull thru for an overnight stay between Memphis and Springfield, MO. This was right on the highway, but no road noise. Check in was super easy, full hook ups and easy in and out."

Site selection strategy: When booking RV sites, research the specific loop and site numbers. At Montauk State Park Campground, sites vary in size and levelness. "Campsites are kind of close together but still comfortable. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring," reports a visitor, while others recommend researching specific loop numbers for more privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Willow Springs, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Willow Springs, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near Willow Springs, MO and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Willow Springs, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Willow Springs, MO is Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Willow Springs, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Willow Springs, MO.

What parks are near Willow Springs, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Willow Springs, MO that allow camping, notably Mark Twain National Forest and Norfork Lake.