Steve Henry - Best Tent Camping: Missouri & the Ozarks: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization

STATE AND COUNTY PARKS

OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS

MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER

OZARK NATIONAL FOREST

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Maryland

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Best Tent Camping: Missouri & the Ozarks

Copyright 2014 by Steve Henry

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Menasha Ridge Press

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Second edition, first printing

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Henry, Steve.

The best in tent camping. Missouri and the Ozarks : your car-camping guide to scenic beauty, the sounds of nature, and an escape from civilization / Steve Henry.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-89732-644-5 (pbk.) ISBN 0-89732-644-X

1. Camp sites, facilities, etc.Ozark MountainsGuidebooks. 2. CampingOzark MountainsGuidebooks. 3. Ozark Mountains--Guidebooks. 4. Camp sites, facilities, etc.MissouriGuidebooks. 5. CampingMissouriGuidebooks. 6. Missouri Guidebooks. I. Title.

GV199.42.O96H45 2013

917.671--dc23

2013041714

ISBN-13: 978-0-89732-644-5; eISBN: 978-0-89732-676-6

Cover design by Scott McGrew

Text design by Annie Long

Cover photo by Aurora Photos/Alamy

Cartography by Steve Jones

Indexing by Rich Carlson

Author photo by Glenn Meyer

MENASHA RIDGE PRESS

An imprint of Keen Communications, LLC

P.O. Box 43673

Birmingham, Alabama 35243

menasharidge.com

BEST FOR BIRDLNG

BEST FOR CANOEING AND KAYAKING

BEST FOR CYCLING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

BEST FOR EQUESTRIANS

BEST FOR FAMILIES

BEST FOR FISHING AND BOATING

BEST FOR HIKING

BEST FOR PRIVACY AND SOLITUDE

BEST FOR SCENIC BEAUTY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BEST FOR SWIMMING

T hanks, of course, to all the usual suspectsmy family and friends, who gave me constant encouragement, and the folks at Menasha, who waited patiently as I missed one deadline and pushed against another, and then turned this mountain of information into an attractive and organized guidebook. Thanks also to all of you who enjoy the outdoors, and by doing so have made this book a success over the years. Special thanks to Chuck, my boss and brother, who lets me live where I work, thus freeing up the time and money I need for travel, research, and writing, and to my good friends Brian, Larry, and Lucy, who graciously let me stay at their homes when Im doing book research in their area. And a disbelieving thanks to the two strangers who complimented my banjo playing that night at Paddy Creek Campgroundyou must have known it was my birthday, and just wanted to make me feel good.

These are times of shrinking budgets, sequesters, shutdowns, and political battles over government spending. While researching this book, my thoughts often went to the park, conservation department, and forest service employees who work hard in the face of dwindling resources to keep our campgrounds, trails, and other outdoor treasures open and available for our enjoyment. Their dedication reminded me of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, young men whose superb craftsmanship and long-abandoned camps can be found in many campgrounds described in this book, and evoked thoughts of John McCutcheons ode to the CCC, Boys In Green. So above all, many thanks to the boys, and the gals too, in green, who keep our countrys natural wonders open and accessible to all.

In Nineteen Hundred and Thirty Three

Off in Washington, DC

Roosevelt created the CCC

Like nothing wed ever seen

He called on fellers across the land

To join together, lend a hand

To learn a skill, to take a stand

We were the boys in green

Hurrah for the love of the country

Hurrah for the patriots dream

With their brains and their backs, with a pick and an axe

Hurrah for the boys in green

2003 by John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

Inspired in part by a conversation with ONeal Springer, Dallas, TX, October 2003

I had a blast cruising scenic and winding Ozark highways while researching these beautiful campgrounds. My only regret was not having time to spend several days in each one. Now that this edition is finished, I can do what I hope is in the cards for youspend several seasons checking out these wonderful hideaways in the Ozark Mountains. Ive hiked or biked most trails mentioned in these chapters and paddled more than a few of the rivers. On my wanderings Ive meandered along forested mountainsides, gazed awestruck from 500-foot bluffs, picnicked in rocky glades, explored spectacular caves, stared deep into aquamarine springs, and napped in meadows of wildflowers.

From these campgrounds you can also experience those Missouri and Arkansas backcountry pleasures. Thousands of miles of streams await your fishing pole and canoe and paddle. These cool, spring-fed rivers and creeks are the perfect antidote to the heat and humidity of summer, and several of the sparkling-clear springs are among the largest in the world. All are accessible by car, canoe, or a short hike. When the weather cools, its time to get out of the river and explore the rugged countryside on hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Dont stop your camping exploration with these 50 campgroundsmany more scenic hideaways await you in the Ozarks. Nor should you let the off-season weather limit your camping season. Youll see better views from overlooks when the leaves are off the trees. Cooler temperatures also mean no bugs or crowded campgrounds. Winter skies offer incredible stargazing, and in December and January the remote mountains are perfect for enjoying two of the heavens biggest meteor showers. Ill never forget winter camping next to a southwest Missouri creek, where ice columns 3 feet thick towered 100 feet over the streambed from an overlooking bluff. During winter, Im thankful to live in the Midwest instead of the Rockies. When campgrounds and trails in those spectacular Western mountains are choked with snow, I can still wander the Ozark hills.

Dont take my word for itpick up this book and a couple of trail guides, round up some maps, toss your camping gear into the car, and head for the hills to see for yourself. Hope to see you out there!

Steve Henry

T he publishers of Menasha Ridge Press welcome you to Best Tent Camping: Missouri and the Ozarks . Whether youre new to this activity or youve been sleeping in your portable outdoor shelter over decades of outdoor adventures, please review the following information. It explains how we have worked with the author to organize this book and how you can make the best use of it.