Forest camping near Defiance with hiking
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98% (1965 reviews)
- Defiance
98% (1965 reviews)
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12 top forest campgrounds near Defiance with hiking
93%
(1732)
Spring Lake Ranch
43 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents101 acres · Potosi, MO
Spring Lake Ranch boasts countless trails and lake activities. Formerly known as Sayersbrook Bison ranch, at one time it was one of the largest Bison ranches in the world.
This property is filled with amazing things to see and explore. Nothing like it in Missouri. Lake is 60+ acres and is spring fed. Amazing fishing, swimming and kayaking.
We are pet friendly. You will have amazing lake views and will be close to hiking trails, horseback riding, and wine tasting at Edge Cliff Wineries which is next door to us.
The beautiful shower house is super clean, has restrooms and hot showers and it is within walking distance. Firewood and ice are available to purchase; kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent. If you forget something at home stop by our little country store, we might have it! :)
The sites are about 20 ft from each other - if you are looking for more privacy please check out the secluded site or the peninsula.
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$18.90
/ night
99%
(479)
Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors
30 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres · Saint Clair, MO
Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors is a not for profit Farm Animal Sanctuary. You will be able to camp with the horses, goats, potbellied pigs and more. We open up our farm so that people can enjoy the outdoors, animals and nature, and the animals can enjoy people! We are a sanctuary for all creatures on earth, including humans.
"Today, whatever is good for your soul, do that."
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$21.25
/ night
98%
(396)
McCully Heritage Project
10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents940 acres · Kampsville, IL
The McCully Heritage Project is a 940- acre environmental center located one mile south of Kampsville, Illinois in beautiful and remote Calhoun County.
We are a private non-profit left as the legacy of Howard and Eva McCully.
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$25
/ night
95%
(77)
Hawks Bluff Campground
57 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents460 acres · Tiff, MO
Escape the city! We have a very special property that nourishes the soul and provides space to roam and breathe fresh air.
We have 460 acres to explore. A beautiful creek running through our property. We have cows, mules, goats, dogs and cats. We are on a bluff so if you are rock hunters you have come to the right place. We offer rock hunting. and we have extra buckets. We have the best Drusy (lots of colors), Crazy Lace Agate, Calcite, Chalcedony, Quartz, Chert, Barite, Bladed Barite, Iron Ores and more. Check us out on Facebook Hawks Bluff Farm Rocks and Drusy. We have firewood, ice, eggs, ground beef, propane exchange and new propane tanks available.
Ask us about our kayaking options!
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$21.25
/ night
99%
(157)
PeaceTree Farms
27 sites · Lodging, Tents176 acres · Eolia, MO
PeaceTree Farms is a charming Event Venue, Organic Farm and Outdoor Resort. Hosting everything from weddings, fall and holiday festivals to off-grid camping. Our 153 acre farm has been in our family since the 1970's and has been generally preserved as a wildlife and conservation farm. Your hosts, Katie and Steve are excited to share PeaceTree Farms with fellow nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
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$12
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99%
(225)
Sudden Valley Ranch
3 sites · RVs, Tents138 acres · Warrenton, MO
Our home was built shortly after the couple married in 1904. We were fortunate enough to begin our adventure here in 1999. We appreciate all this place has to offer - from the hay fields to the woods and everything in between. It is a peaceful paradise we enjoy sharing with others. Please come and relax, read a book, draw a picture, or simply let the sounds of nature lull you to sleep. We believe you will leave rejuvenated!
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$32.30
/ night
96%
(14)
Sage Mountain Recreational Area MO
10 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Berger, MO
Sage Mountain is a recreational area located in the heart of Missouri wine country. Located between Hermann and Washington on the south side of the Missouri river. Our 50 acres of virgin forest is home to an abundance of diverse wildlife, 3.6 miles of hiking trails, bolted climbing and bouldering routes established, and a large impressive cave. We are located near the Katy trail for more hiking and biking. Access to the Missouri river for boating and fishing. On site we have an abundance of areas for back country camping, or we allow car camping in our open parking lot.
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$25
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94%
(90)
Grand Army Farm
2 sites · Tents5 acres · Labadie , MO
Grand Army Farm is a family owned working farm. We raise beautiful angora goats for fiber and have chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and meat goats. We serve local restaurants and participate in many local area farmers market.
We pride ourselves in minimizing our carbon footprint, to the extent that we don't own any heavy piece of farm equipment, not even an ATV. The working portion of the game only accounts for 15 % of the land.
What this means is that 85% of the wooded acres is available for you HipCampers to hike and explore.
Of particular interest is the site of an old moonshine distillery hidden in the woods, a 20 min hike east of your campsite. Legends has it that the moonshine was illicitly produced during Prohibition and sold in the loft of our biggest barn where people would drink and dance the night away.
The property boats of gorgeous mature oak trees, hickory trees and newer cedar stands where nature abounds. In the morning you may see the herons fly in or the Canadian geese come in.Learn more about this land:Pitch your own tent by our 5 acres lake. You will hear the frogs croak at night, see sights of blue herons or Canadian geese flying in, and hear our own geese and ducks greet you from across the lake. You will see my goat barn and see the majestic angora goats with shimmering coats come in for their feedings in the morning and leave to go to pasture afterwards. You will be a 10 min walk from our house and have complete privacy. If you would like to make a fire, there is plenty of wood available to pick up on site. A map on the patio fridge will show you where water is available and the hiking trail head.
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$17.50
/ night
98%
(84)
Hagood Farms and Trails
8 sites · Tents164 acres · Sullivan, MO
We have 172 acres of trails with scenic waterfalls and trees. A pond for fishing and conveniently located with in 8 miles from sevetal state parks and 2 miles from 300 acers of off road trails. We have owned and lived on tje property since 1999 .Learn more about this land:We are a fully functioning farm with Longhorn cattle, horses, mini donkeys and goats that are very friendly. We have 164 acres that have trails for horseback riding and ATVs. We are located 8 miles from Mermac River and Washington State park where you can rent canoe's and go hiking. We are an hour from St. Louis and Elephant Rock State park as well as Johnston shut ins. We are also with in 8 miles of ROMP dirt bike trail and 1 mile from Moonlight trails and racing that is 400 plus acers of ATV and jeep trails. We have a few waterfalls on the property and lots of areas to hike as well. Several areas of camping to choose from, you can be in the woods or out in the open. Spring and Summer months we offer farm fresh eggs and there is always plenty of firewood. We recently added a pond area as well. We now have Electric and water as well.
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$27
/ night
100%
(64)
Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Eureka, MO
Located at the confluence of the Meramec River and Labarque Creek, my place (Matt's Place) is a ridge above a bottomland bowl of sorts. The ridge is an ancient road bed recorded on an old map as the "kings highway" under Spanish rule. Flakes of flint hint to the first people to walk this ridge perhaps 10,000 years ago.
The old iron truss bridge here is likely built in 1910 and it has a survey marker from 1932. The overlook at the confluence is a magical vortex of energy. A few chairs are waiting there for folks to ponder what that means.
Bald eagles nest upstream and their daily commute can be seen from here as they fly down toward the Mississippi in the morning, and in the evening,
back upstream to their nest about a mile and a half further, at a bend in the river
up high in a grove of sycamore trees. Great blue herons, kingfishers, hawks, vultures, beaver, turtles, fish,
and deer are frequently seen from this vista.
The bottomland is also special. It's darker down there under so many tall silver maples. And in summer, bring bug spray.
The creek has a nice little swimming hole, and a beach that is sometimes sand, sometimes, gravel, and sometimes a mix of both with some silt or even mud after a storm. It's peaceful down there to explore in the creek, wade while looking outward to an opening into the Meramec River. It's also fun to stand just at the mouth of the creek in the Meramec River. It's an awesome view upstream or downstream of tree lined banks, rock bluffs, and every now and then, passing boats, canoes, paddle boards, or kayaks. The old iron truss bridge hovers above the meeting of two waters. The water is cool and clean. Some fifty species of fish have been recorded in this creek, the most in all of Jefferson County and St Louis County. The bottomland has two levels, the lower bottoms down by the creek and the upper bottoms about a hundred feet from the creek. The upper bottoms has a clearing like a meadow with mowed grass, picnic table, electric extension cord and fan (plugged in up at the house). My favorite things to do here include gazing up at a cottonwood tree that must be sixty feet tall. It's leaves in a breeze are like a thousand hands waving hello. The bottomland meadow offers just enough sky to see bats dance in the dusk air between the trees, then fireflies as it gets darker yet. Up top is where I live.
Matt's Five Acre Farm Overview updated 2/2024
We have six goats, Ross, Monica, Rachel, Joey, and Chandler. Rachel recently gave birth to Phoebe in February.
We have 14 chickens that are laying about 8 eggs a day more or less. More eggs per day as it warms up in the Spring. Guests may inquire about eggs for sale at $5 per dozen. We can collect them or you can take them straight out of the nest boxes, same price either way.
We also have a rabbit, a dog, and a kitten. The 13 year old female dog, Bella, barks a little at first but is friendly. We can keep her inside if that is preferred by guests. If guest brings a dog, we may have to arrange to not let the chickens forage outside of the coop if guest's dog might harass the chickens. Let us know before arrival if it is a possibility your dog might harass or kill the chickens and we will keep them in the coop while your here.
I can shuttle gear with my pick up to the bottomland meadow or close to the creek. If a visitor forgets some camping gear, I'm sure to have an extra to lend.
What attracted me to this place is the sense of a vortex of energy that is always at a meeting of waters such as the Meramec River and Labarque Creek. We hope you like this place like we do.
Learn more about this land:
Just five miles off HWY 44 and HWY 109, at Eureka, MO, (30 minutes west of downtown St Louis, 18 minutes from Six Flags) this place sits on a ridge with great views above the Meramec River. A century-old iron trapezoidal truss bridge is abandoned and is a beautiful feature aging in place above the confluence of Labarque Creek.
The bottomland meadow and sand and gravel beach with swimming holes, fishing, canoeing, or kayaking is just a short walk (300 feet or so) or drive if conditions are not muddy (4wd suggested). We have a half-mile loop trail around the small property and just across the road is the Young Conservation Area and down the road 2 miles is Glassberg Conservation Area.
This is a great base camp or picnic stop for a group floating downstream from Pacific Palisades Meramec River Access Ramp. Most people take out a mile and a half downstream at Allenton River Access Ramp (near Six Flags). We also have bunnies, chickens, honey bees, and blackberries. Thousands of acres of adjacent parks, plus river access ramps for boats a few miles upstream or downstream.
We can shuttle your kayaks or even lend you one of ours by request as an extra. You can camp up top on the ridge or driveway (close to bathroom or shower in the house) or you can camp down by the creek or bottomland meadow. The creek/swimming hole is about 500 feet walk from the driveway up top. I can shuttle your gear (coolers, tent, chairs) down there in my 4wd pickup truck upon request.
One may hear the local road traffic from two-lane HWY FF which is just a few hundred feet from the campsite. It's not so bad. Hipcampers report they can tune it out and late at night it gets very quiet. We've seen bald eagles, osprey, beavers, otters, hawks, great blue herons, bats (at dusk), and lots of other wildlife. At night, you may hear frogs, owls and maybe even coyotes safely from far off on the other side of the river. We hope this place feels like your far away place, nearby.
Risks
Outdoor activities tend to have some inherent risks. The bridge abutment has a potential fall hazard, the river and creek, a potential drowning hazard, and the outdoors in in general may pose risks of mosquitos, ticks, and poison ivy. In high winds a branch or tree could fall, lightning could strike, or floodwaters may rise. Campfires have burn or smoke inhalation risks. With proper caution , care, and a bit of bug spray, these risks can be managed and mitigated.
Bad Weather
In case of bad weather, too hot, too cold, too many mosquitos, or upon request, you can find refuge up in the clubhouse, close but separate from my house. It's a small concrete block building with a single bed, two picture windows looking down on the river, chairs, space heater, air conditioner, fridge, microwave, butane stove, and toaster oven.
Refunds
You can cancel with full refund even after you've arrived if the place is not what you were hoping for. No worries. Be happy.
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$20
/ night
89%
(44)
Triangle H Farm, LLC
8 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Edwardsville , IL
Once a large cattle operation, Triangle H Farm has evolved through being a corn, soybean and horseradish farm before its present use as a horse boarding, training, and lesson facility. As a matter of fact, depending upon the season, you can schedule a tour of our horseradish farm. We are top 10 producers of horseradish in the nation! Come see our 100 acres of camping possibilities and enjoy nature at its finest! We look forward to having you with us.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent or plug in your RV (30 or 50 amp, or 110 volt) on our 110 acre horse farm. Choose between staying up closer to the barns or out in the timber. We have a nice primitive spot under a 100+ year old cottonwood tree that is near a stream. There is a picnic table there as well. About 1.25 mile down the trail from the main barn is a walnut grove with a picnic table. The same stream runs past the walnut grove. There is a spot for a fire too. If you want more rustic, feel free to cross the creek to the timber and choose a primitive camping spot there. Enjoy mowed trails to hike or bike. Water (from hydrants and hoses) and portopotty are up near main barns. We have 60 horses on the farm as well as goats, cats, and chickens. We do not offer access to horses unless you're in a riding lesson, or have scheduled a pony riding session. We look forward to sharing our little piece of heaven with you!
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$40
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100%
(3)
Wine Country Farm
2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Leslie, MO
Enjoy a stay at our 10 acre horse farm centrally located between 2 popular Missouri Wine Country regions and less than 15 minutes away from antique shops, restaurants, wineries and a conservation lake.
The farm is home to our beloved Percheron draft horses, one quarter horse and a little mule that's been in the family for over 25 years. We also raise chickens and have a few barn cats that might show their faces once they're used to your company. (They're very tame, just bashful with strangers.)
You're welcome to participate in daily farm activities such as feeding horses, gathering eggs and gardening. You may spread out in the large backyard and set up your games or hang your hammock in the trees and rest amid the relaxing sounds of nature.
Speaking of relaxing, there might be times during the weekend when life here on the farm is bustling with activity. We might be getting ready for carriage rides in the morning and returning to the barn to unload horses late in the evening. We may occasionally operate the tractor, chainsaw or some other noisy equipment. In other words, it's not always quite, but it's all part of the farm-stay experience!
Located just 2 miles from Highway 50, we're easy to find. And the driveway is suitable for most any size RV or travel trailer.
WiFi may be accessible at different parts of the property.
Pets
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from
$35
/ night
Available this weekend
Under $50
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Forest camping near Defiance with hiking guide
Overview
Looking to experience the great outdoors near Defiance, Missouri? Hipcamp has over 420 camping options available in this area, with accommodations to suit every preference. Whether you're into tent camping, RV camping, or even glamping, there's something for everyone. With an average price per night of $25 and options as low as $5, camping has never been more affordable. Check out some of the top campsites near Defiance, Missouri, like Selby Farm Horse Retirement with 240 reviews, Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors with 216 reviews, or Four Creeks Campground with 169 reviews. Enjoy popular amenities like campfires, potable water, and showers, and engage in exciting activities such as snow sports, boating, and exploring historic sites. Get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in Defiance, Missouri!
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