Best Free Camping in the Missouri Ozarks

21 free & low-cost dispersed spots within 60 miles

Mark Twain National Forest spreads across the Missouri Ozarks and permits free dispersed camping throughout — a quiet, low-cost base for float trips on the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.

Best time to visit

April – June, September – October

Insider tips

Riverside pullouts along FR routes near Van Buren and Eminence are popular for float trips.
Watch for ticks and chiggers spring through fall.
Cell signal is spotty — download offline maps.

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Top 15 free camping spots near Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)

1
Walmart
Walmart· Mountain View, MO· 12.7 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart — Walmart
2
Love's Travel Stop
Truck Stop· Willow Springs, MO· 23.9 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Love's Travel Stop — Truck Stop
3
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· Houston, MO· 24.8 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart
4
Garden Inn Truck Plaza
Truck Stop· Cabool, MO· 27.8 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Garden Inn Truck Plaza — Truck Stop
5
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· Salem, MO· 33.7 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart
6
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· West Plains, MO· 34.3 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart
7
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· Mountain Grove, MO· 38.3 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart
8
Walmart
Walmart· Thayer, MO· 43.0 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart — Walmart
9
TA Express
Truck Stop· Norwood, MO· 47.2 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
TA Express — Truck Stop
10
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· Rolla, MO· 55.9 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart
11
Road Ranger
Truck Stop· Morgan Heights, MO· 56.0 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Road Ranger — Truck Stop
12
Menards
Menards· Rolla, MO· 56.7 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
13
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel· St. Robert, MO· 56.7 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Cracker Barrel — Cracker Barrel
14
Tip Top Roadside Park
Rest Area· Allen Mills, MO· 56.7 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Tip Top Roadside Park — Rest Area
15
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart· Saint Robert, MO· 56.9 mi from Ozarks (Mark Twain NF)
Walmart Supercenter — Walmart

Showing top 15 of 21 spots. See all free camping in Missouri →

Ozarks (Mark Twain NF) boondocking — FAQ

Can I camp free in the Ozarks?

Yes — Mark Twain National Forest allows free dispersed camping throughout its ~1.5 million acres with a 14-day limit.

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