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The Best Camping in Missouri

Looking for the best camping in Missouri? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Missouri. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near Missouri

  • Belleview, Missouri

    Backpack the Bell Mountain Loop

    4.0
    12.1 mi
    An offshoot from the Ozark Trail, the Bell Mountain Loop trail offers a 12 mile loop (when starting from the HWY A trail head) that works perfectly as a beginner backpacking trip. The Ozark Trail website offers excellent maps for all sections of the trail (for free!), click here.Day 1: Hike 7.5 m...
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  • Leasburg, Missouri

    Hike and Float on The Ozark Trail Courtois Section

    4.0
    24.6 mi
    Starting from the Onondaga trail head of the Ozark Trail, this 12.6 mile backpacking trip and 12 mile float can be completed in two full days, or stretched into three days if you want to take a more casual pace. There is plentiful water, and several good camping spots along the trail, and of cour...
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  • Kaiser, Missouri

    Woodland Trail Loop

    3.11 mi / 295 ft gain
    Starting at 850 feet of elevation, this 3.25 mile loop is a great beginner backpacking trip. The trail is fairly rough so a sturdy pair of hiking boots is a must. The trail splits a quarter mile in; you will need to go right. After another quarter mile you will enter the Patterson Hollow Wild Are...
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  • Van Buren, Missouri

    Big Spring

    5.0
    1.8 mi / 413 ft gain
    With an average daily water discharge rate of 276 Million gallons of water and the largest spring in Missouri it is easy to see how Big Spring got its name. Located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, this spring and over 20 other springs nearby feed the Current River in Southeast Missouri. T...
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  • Eminence, Missouri

    Explore Alley Spring and Mill within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

    1.4 mi / 200 ft gain
    Alley Spring is the seventh largest spring in Missouri. It is known to extend at least 3000 feet into the hillside and has a known depth of 155 feet. Water surfacing here is known to begin its journey 15 miles away near the town of Summersville as rain enters sinkholes and then travels through ma...
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  • Cole Camp, Missouri

    Hike the West Big Buffalo Creek Loop

    6 mi / 452 ft gain
    This trail is about six miles long and features primitive campsites, woods, and a lake. Mostly gravel with a steep beginning section. After hiking a couple of miles there's a branch off with a sign post to continue on the hiking trail or head down to the lake. Farther down the hiking section of t...
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  • Columbia, Missouri

    Turkey Creek Interpretive Nature Trail

    2.81 mi / 207 ft gain
    Turkey Creek Interpretive Nature Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Columbia, Missouri.
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  • Troy, Missouri

    Cuivre River Trail Loop

    6.02 mi / 653 ft gain
    Cuivre River Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Troy, Missouri.
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  • Ironton, Missouri

    Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section

    12.75 mi / 1329 ft gain
    Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Arcadia, Missouri.
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  • Ellington, Missouri

    The Ozark Trail: Current River Section

    29.68 mi / 3560 ft gain
    The Ozark Trail: Current River Section is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Ellington, Missouri.
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  • Camdenton, Missouri

    Turkey Pen Hollow Trail

    6.54 mi / 768 ft gain
    Turkey Pen Hollow Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Camdenton, Missouri.
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  • Saint Charles, Missouri

    Lakeside Park Loop

    3.53 mi / 157 ft gain
    Lakeside Park Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near St. Peters, Missouri.
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  • Potosi, Missouri

    Berryman and Ozark Trail

    7.21 mi / 666 ft gain
    Berryman and Ozark Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Davisville, Missouri.
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  • Highlandville, Missouri

    Busiek Purple, Orange, White Loop

    8.59 mi / 1112 ft gain
    Busiek Purple, Orange, White Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Chestnutridge, Missouri.
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  • Jadwin, Missouri

    Paddle Current River via Cedar Grove

    Start at Cedar Grove and canoe a 44 mile, three-day and two-night trip down one of the most beautiful, crystal clear, spring fed rivers in Missouri to what is called two rivers, where the Jacks Fork runs into the Current River. There is a great group of outfitters who can help get you set up for...
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  • Kirksville, Missouri

    Red Bud Trail

    1.41 mi / 151 ft gain
    Red Bud Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Kirksville, Missouri.
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