Fishing and walking the Mississippi riverbank are the main draws at Riverview MDC Donaldson Point, a free Missouri Department of Conservation campground outside New Madrid. Getting here requires navigating gravel and single-lane dirt roads, though reviewers note the route is manageable and there is room to pull over when needed. Sites sit directly along the river, each with a fire ring, and a short path leads down to the water. AT&T cell service has worked reliably here. It suits self-sufficient campers comfortable with basic amenities and rough road access.
Description
Primitive camping is permitted in designated areas. Walk-in camping is allowed, EXCEPT during all deer and turkey seasons. Camping is allowed on or adjacent to parking lots, unless otherwise posted.
Campers are limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period, with a total of 30 days within a calendar year. Groups of 10 or more need a special use permit.
Donaldson Point Conservation Area is about six miles southeast of New Madrid. The area can be accessed from county gravel roads off Route WW and Route AB. The area's 5,945 acres are at the north end of Donaldson Point, which is formed by the New Madrid Bend Loop of the Mississippi River. This same loop isolates a portion of the state of Kentucky. The Mississippi River forms part of the east and west boundaries of the conservation area and provides about seven miles of river frontage. Construction of the levee created about 60 acres of ponds that are open to the public. The land is nearly flat. During seasonal flooding, large portions or all of the area may not be accessible. The forest trees on Donaldson Point include cottonwood, willow, ash, elm, maple, pecan, sycamore, boxelder, hickory, and some bottomland oak species. Donaldson Point also is home to several species not usually seen in the Mississippi lowlands. These include the endangered Swainson's warbler that nests in giant cane, Mississippi kites, bald eagles, interior least terns, swamp rabbits, and cotton mice. The Conservation Department purchased the land for Donaldson Point Conservation Area in 1984. The land was formerly owned by Anderson-Tully Corporation.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRiverview MDC Donaldson Point is located in Missouri near New Madrid
Coordinates
36.570407 N
89.47651 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/3/26
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/3/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Phone Service
- Pets
- Fires
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Riverview MDC Donaldson Point needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 59 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
- 1 hr 33 min from Paducah, KY
- 1 hr 48 min from Jackson, TN
- 1 hr 59 min from Jonesboro, AR
