The best camping near Mark Twain National Forest

Encompassing seven wilderness areas across 27 counties, Mark Twain National Forest has it all. Rambling oak forests, volcanic peaks, and rocky glades where you can hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, or ride an ATV along 750 miles of trails. Natural springs, rivers, and streams where you can swim, paddle, float, or fish for wild bass, crappie, and rainbow trout. Plus, vast prairie lands peppered with wildflowers and wildlife-watching opportunities. Camping is equally diverse, with more than 35 campgrounds to choose from, including RV sites, equestrian camps, and dispersed camping.

• Best for getting on the water: Red Bluff Campground has 44 sites, six with electric hookups, and all within a short walk of Huzzah Creek.
• Best for hikers and horseback riders: Dry Fork Recreation Area Campground has eight RV sites with hitching posts for equestrians at the Cedar Creek trailhead.
• Best for backcountry campers: The Taum Sauk Section offers bare-bones, dispersed camping along this scenic stretch of the Ozark Trail.

1. You can reserve a campsite in advance online.
2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance or 12 months in advance for group sites.
3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.

The most popular time to visit Mark Twain National Forest is from spring through fall, when weather is ideal for hiking, biking, and water activities. Camping is possible year-round, although some campgrounds close for the winter season. The forest is at its most enchanting in late spring, when wildflowers bloom along the prairies, and from mid-October through early November, when fall foliage is at its most vibrant. 

• Mark Twain National Forest is about a 90-minute drive southwest of St. Louis.
• No admission fees apply, but permits are required for developed recreation areas and access to motorized trails. Most campgrounds charge a fee while dispersed campsites do not.
• Park facilities include picnic benches, restrooms, and running water at day-use and camping areas. Bring everything else you need when hiking and camping. Cell phone service is patchy throughout the forest.
• Accessible campsites, restrooms, and day-use areas are available at Mark Twain National Forest.