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Free Camping Lake Of The Ozarks

Why Youll Love Lake Of The Ozarks State Park

Hurricane Creek near Shores Lake – Dispersed Camping – Ozark National Forest Arkansas

There is never a dull moment at Lake of the Ozarks State Park if you love outdoor recreation. Swimming in the lake, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and caving are just the beginning. This RV campground near Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, provides tural beauty and solitude with shopping and restaurants not far away.

What Is There To See In Missouri

There are plenty of adventures to be found in Missouri. Some of the top tourist destinations include the Gateway Arch, Missouri Botanical Garden, National WWI Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, and anything in St. Louis or Kansas City.

Whether youre looking for outdoor adventure or city sightseeing, you can find it in Missouri. Free camping in Missouri will get you close to the action while being able to escape from the crowds and relax when you want to.

Pro Tip: Before trying out free-camping, we recommend researching a cell booster. Itll help you stay connected off-grid.

State Rv Camping Information

  • State Parks in Missouri Information about RV camping and campgournds at Missouris state parks.
  • Department of Conservation Information about state Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, and camping opportunities in Missouri.
  • Missouri Tourism Website Where to go, and what to do. Includes Missouri RV camping suggestions and travel planning ideas.
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    Berryman Campground Mark Twain National Forest

    Pack some good meals. This small, remote campground lies within the heart of Mark Twain National Forest.

    Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, it now provides visitors to Berryman Trail with a place to camp.

    Theres tons to do in this National Forest including all your favorite outdoor activities, as well as more unique ones, like spelunking.

    Why do we love it?

    If you enjoy nature, its probably for two reasons: the beauty and the silence. Fortunately, Berryman campground fits both of those descriptors.

    The surrounding woodland runs thick with oak trees and keeps you sheltered from the outside world.

    Furthermore, nearby Berryman Trail winds through 24 miles of quaint Ozark timber stands and fields. It provides visitors with an easy opportunity for bike riding, hiking, or horseback riding.

    Location

    • Maximum RV length reported: 40ft
    • Number of sites: 8
    • Amenities: Fire ring, picnic table, pit toilets and paved sites
    • Max Stay: 14 Days

    Top Things to do Nearby

    For more information on RV camping at Berryman Campground visit HERE.

    Only Camp At A Dispersed Campsite Or 100ft From Any Administrative Site

    RV and Campgrounds

    Whats a dispersed campsite? Easy. Its a site with a numbered placard, found on any public land.

    You can camp at any of these for free. Just double check to make sure its not a placard for a paid site.

    Neato, but theyre all taken. So, whats an administrative site? These include any trails, buildings, or designated recreational areas. As long as youre on public land, and 100ft from any of these sites, you can boondock. Yippee!

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    Ben Branch Conservation Area

    Next up for free camping, Missouri edition, is the Ben Branch Conservation Area.

    Address: Chamois, MO.

    GPS Coordinates: 38.5685° N, 91.7904° W

    About Ben Branch Conservation Area: This conservation area spans over 500 acres and is home to the human-made Ben Branch Lake. You can certainly enjoy a variety of activities in this area. Choices include hunting, trapping, fishing, and birdwatching, for example.

    There are also multiple designated camping areas. And, you can even drive right to the lakes boat ramp to get out on the water. The campground has more amenities than most free camping sites. It additionally includes a boat launch, bathrooms, and a picnic area.

    Missouri Free Camping Vibes: 8.5/10. We love how many places there are to camp, and easy lake access is a tremendous bonus to enjoy in the summer.

    How To Find National Forest Campsites:

    Unless there is a sign stating otherwise or it’s a wildlife food plot, you can find some of the best camping in Arkansas just about anywhere in the Ozark National Forest.

    • Look for light green areas on your map. You can find them in Google Maps or in any road trip atlas or adventure atlas.
    • Use Google Earth to get a satellite view and find pull-offs or clearings, both being pretty good indicators that there are campsites in the area youre searching.
    • Driving just about any Forest Service road will lead to all sorts of places you can camp for free. Look for spots alongside the road, or look for sites that are tucked back into the forest more. You may even be able to backpack in to a site if that is your preference.
    • Always look for a fire ring and an already established site. Never create your own site.
    • Locating and stopping at a ranger station enables you to get all the information you need, as well as more detailed maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps of the area, which you can also find on the Gaia GPS app. Plus, you can get all of your questions answered and become aware of any problems/issues theyre experiencing at the time
    • We have a favorite YouTuber here in Arkansas, Dispersed Camper Man. He shares all the different places he likes to camp and explore here in the Natural State. You’ll likely learn of quite a few new places if you give him a watch.

    Here is a . You may also find this Arkansas Atlas with Detailed Topographic Maps helpful.

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    Cross Creek Rv Park And Campground

    GREAT FOR:

    $30 per day for full hookup RV sites

    $99 per day for cabin rentals

    $33 per day for tent sites

    For more pricing information, please visit their website: crosscreekrvpark.com/rv-camping/

    Welcome to serenity! This gorgeous 70-acre campground nestled in the woods is for nature lovers. Featuring its own 10-acre lake youll be able to unplug, relax, and take in the natural beauty that only the Ozarks can offer.

    Only a few miles from Bagnell Dam, youll have easy access to Lake Ozark attractions like Lake Ozark Live, which the kids are sure to love!

    RENT YOUR SPOT HERE:

    Public Missouri Rv Camping

    FLW||Lake of the ozarks camping 2022

    Missouri RV camping can be found at Federal, state, and county campgrounds offering amenities from primitive no facility camping, to full hookup RV campsites. The following public campgrounds are only an example of the available Missouri RV camping locations.

    CRAIG Great RV camping is available at the popular Big Lake State Park. The park offers basic and electric campsites. On-season services include a dump station, modern restrooms, showers , water, laundry and reservable sites. Numerous recreation opportunities include fishing, hiking, boating and wildlife viewing.

    MONROE CITY The US Army Corp of Engineers has several water projects that are great Missouri RV camping destinations. has three USACE campgrounds with shaded full hookup and electrical sites with great fishing.

    OZARK SCENIC RIVERWAYS From primitive to hookup RV camping, you’ll find it all along the Ozark Scenic Riverways administered by the National Park Service. There are six developed campgrounds as well as 12 defined primitive camping areas.

    ROLLA Dry and hookup RV camping is available at the Lane Spring Recreation Area operated by the US Forest Service. The campground provides 18 sites with tables, tent pad, lantern post, and fire ring. 6 sites have RV electric hookups.

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    Round Prairie Interpretive Site Mark Twain National Forest

    This secluded camping spot, found on the edges of Mark Twain National Forest, puts you in the middle of everything.

    Youll find yourself near the Missouri River, Columbia, and tons of recreation areas.

    The outdoors activities are prevalent, and the chances for relaxation endless. Dont miss this amazing RV destination!

    Why do we love it?

    You can really get away from it all at this beautiful spot. The secluded locale and small number of campsites make it an introverts paradise.

    Furthermore, its amenities are extremely limited, scaring off most campers, and leaving you with a private RV camping spot.

    If get tired of the silence , you can drive a short distance, to the urban wonderland known as Columbia, Missouri.

    Location

    • Maximum RV length reported: 40ft
    • Number of sites: Undesignated. Reportedly a few
    • Amenities: Picnic table and a fire ring
    • Max Stay: 15 days, every 30 days

    Top Things to do Nearby

    For more information on RV camping at Round Prairie Interpretive Site visit HERE.

    Sulphur Springs Boat Ramp Greensville Missouri

    Okay yes, fine, its a boat ramp however its also an amazing camping spot. Youll discover it on the eastern shores of Lake Wappapello, an enormous lake near Mark Twain National Forest.

    This isolated boat ramp receives few visitors so you can relax knowing your saunter into solitude will go uninterrupted.

    Why do we love it?

    This extremely small campsite will give you pure, blissful isolation. Not only that, but its also right on the water.

    You can wake up in the morning, cook some breakfast, crack open a beer, and go fishing only a few feet away.

    Plus, you get to spend the rest of your time marveling at the surrounding serenity of Mark Twain National Forest.

    Location

    • Amenities: Fire pit, toilets, and cell service
    • Max Stay: 15 days, every thirty days

    Top Things to do Nearby

    • Johnsons Shut-ins State Park Waterfalls and caves and forestsoh my! This state park has a little for every outdoors junkie. Get your fix at this gorgeous landscape.
    • Ozarks Scenic Riverways Grab the canoes and kayaks! Theres a reason the United States made this the first river system protected by a national park agency. Bring a water-proof camera!
    • Lake Wappapello State Park Your campsite puts you on Lake Wappapellos eastern shores. You might as well take advantage of this proximity and go fishing, boating, or swimming.

    For more information on RV camping at Sulphur Springs Boat Ramp visit HERE.

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    Incredible Campgrounds At Lake Of The Ozarks

    Imagine stepping out of your RV and hearing the crackling of bacon being cooked over a campfire and the low rumble of boats in the distance.

    This ideal Lake morning awaits you when you decide to camp at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.

    Theres something for every camper on this list. Its time to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and plan your fun-filled getaway today!

    Free Camping Via Missouri’s Department Of Fish & Wildlife

    Osage Beach RV Park &  Campground

    The bulk of free campsites in Missouri are found on lands managed by the Department of Fish & Wildlife. From campgrounds with designated spots, including fire rings, to wide open grassy fields down long dirt roads, over a dozen of these camping areas can be found throughout the state. As the governing agency’s name implies, fishing and hunting are popular activities however, many of them also offer access to hiking, mountain biking, and waterborne sports.

    Missouri is home to nearly 40 state parks that offer camping however, none of them provide it free of charge. Therefore, between the Department of Fish & Wildlife and a few other similar state agencies, one can find plenty of land protected by the state that doesn’t require camping fees. Free camping exists within Missouri’s protected areas like Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area and Whetstone Camping Area, both of which include managing game via hunting as part of their conservation efforts.

    Much of the state’s rivers are also protected by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, such as found at Rochester Falls or Elam Bend Conservation Area, both found on the western side of the state.

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    Bring Your Own Necessities

    Sometimes designated campgrounds will provide fire rings, picnic tables, dumpsters, and latrines, but more often camping on conservation areas is primitive with little or no facilities provided. Also, no RV hookups are provided at any department area. Campers should expect to bring their own water.

    Before planning a trip in the spring or fall, check Places to Go for information on the specific conservation area where you wish to camp to see if the area allows camping or has restrictions during hunting seasons.

    • Campers can stay up to 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period and must remove all personal property at the end of the 14-day period. Each camper is limited to 30 total camping days within one calendar year on all department lands.
    • On those areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
    • Walk-in campers should camp at least 100 yards from parking lots and roads.
    • Pack out at least as much as you pack in, and dont burn trash in campfires.
    • Check the regulations for the specific area where you want to camp. Some areas allow open dispersed camping while others allow camping only in designated sites. Some areas require a special use permit for all camping.
    • Groups of more than 10 people camping on conservation lands must obtain a special use permit.

    Free Camping Near Gateway Arch National Park

    Despite being located in the center of a city with a population of 300,000 people, you can still find a no-cost camping area only 20 minutes outside of one of the United States’ newest national parks. Don’t expect rustic forest living or even something officially run by the National Park Service, though. Camping near Gateway Arch National Park comes in the form of a parking lot at the River City Casino & Hotel. It may be best to call ahead first, as the exact details for who can or cannot stay overnight in the parking lot seem to change with short notice. Other parking lot camping options in St Louis include a Cracker Barrel about half an hour west of the Gateway Arch and a Walmart 45 minutes south.

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    What People Are Saying About Peaceful Valley Resort & Rv Park

    Peaceful valley is an amazing place! Very clean, quiet, and family friendly. Theres a great swim beach for the kids as well as an awesome restaurant with games and great food for anyone young to old. I recommend giving them a visit and seeing for yourself what an awesome place this is. Angie, Google review

    Location

    • Sand beach

    Free Campsites In Arkansas

    A look at Lake of the Ozarks state parks

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    One of the greatest summer activities? Pitching a tent and losing yourself in nature for a few days. If you’re in the mood to slow down and explore all the wonders The Natural State has to offer , we’ve got you covered.

    Here are six free campsites that make roughing it well worth it.

    Buffalo River National Park

    Drive time: 2 hours

    If you’re not afraid of a little primitive camping, then the Buffalo River National Park is just the place. The area offers multiple campgrounds with access to bathrooms and running water for a fee, but folks are welcome to backcountry camp for free anywhere in the park as long as it’s not on a historic site or close to private property.

    Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA

    Drive time: 22 minutes

    Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA is open year-round with 35 campsites. There’s no running water, toilets or electricity, but you’re less than 10 minutes from Bald Knob with access to many different types of eateries and small grocery stores. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole.

    Rock Creek Lake Greeson

    Drive time: 2 hours

    Rock Creek is another great campsite for fishers. It’s tucked away by a lake with plenty of access to wildlife. There are primitive pit toilets at this campground.

    Falling Water Creek Campsite

    Drive time: 2 hours

    Sam’s Throne Recreation Area

    Drive time: 2 hours and 10 minutes

    Erbie Campground

    Drive time: 2 hours and 42 minutes

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    Shorewood Landing Rv Park

    Located less than five miles from the Bagnell Dam via boat or motor vehicle, Shorewood Landing is a waterfront RV park that provides secluded surroundings. Situated at the end of the no-wake Jobson Hollow Cove, Shorewood Landing caters towards RV users and overnight stays with more than 60 full-electric sites and deluxe lakeside cabins.

    Laundry and shower facilities are available to overnight guests at Shorewood Landing RV Park. Several playground areas and an in-ground swimming pool are also available. Adjacent to the resort and lining the cove, boat rentals and sandy beaches are nearby, as well as amenities like restaurants, marinas, and year-round fishing supplies.

    Address: 73 Unicorn Road, Eldon, Missouri

    Free Missouri Rv Camping

    Public Land offers many free dispersed Missouri RV camping opportunities. You can get free RV camping location tips from the USFS Ranger Districts. US Army Corps of Engineers also has some free RV camping facilities. Boondocking and Dispersed Camping has more information about how to find the best RV camping sites on public lands.

    The following are just a few examples of free Missouri RV camping locations available.

    AGENCY Agency Conservation Area offers primitive campsites on a first come first serve basis. The conservation area consists of two areas straddled by Rock Creek Road. The north tract of the area offers walk-in access to the Platte River, and a graveled parking lot is located south of the county road. Low area prone to flooding.

    KIRKSVILLE Many of the Missouri state conservation areas offer free camping, and Big Creek Conservation Area is no exception. Camping allowed on or adjacent to area parking lots. No camping along roadways. No amenities provided.

    LINN Free RV camping is available at the Ben Branch Conservation Area. Facilities include a 12-vehicle primitive camping area, fishing jetty, accessible privy, and two large parking areas.

    POTOSI The Mark Twain National Forest offers many free RV camping opportunities, and the area around Palmer, Parole, Howell, and Timberline Lakes is no exception. Fishing this area requires a trout permit and a valid Missouri fishing permit.

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