Camping Regulations

Campsite Occupancy

Different types of campsites have different minimum and maximum occupancy. The following limits apply to campsites in front-country, back-country, and primitive campgrounds.

Note: For the regulations below, an RV is not considered a vehicle.

Standard Campsite (Non-Electric or Electric)

People: 1 - 6
Vehicles: 2
Other: 2 tents or 1 tent + 1 camper/RV

Note
A standard campsite is sometimes called a "family" campsite.

Cluster Campsite

People: 7 - 20
Vehicles: 4
Other: 6 tents or  5 tents + 1 RV/camper or  4 tents + 2 RVs/campers

Group Campsite

People: 15 - 45
Vehicles: Vehicles allowed as space permits. No parking on vegetation.
Other: Unlimited tents. No RVs.

 

Campground Regulations

Please take time to review these regulations. It is your responsibilty to understand and abide by them while camping in the park.

Check-In and Check-Out

Check-In: 1:00 pm Central Time
Check-Out: 12:00 pm Central Time

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm - 6:00 am.

Quiet hours are enforced for people, pets, and items like generators. Please be respectful of your neighbors and limit noise during these hours.

Hammocks

Hammocks are prohibited from developed campgrounds and cannot be tied to trees. Self-standing hammocks are allowed.

This rule applies regardless of the type of strap or fixture used.

Firewood, Fires, and Stoves/Lanterns

Firewood

Firewood should be obtained locally or collected from dead-and-down wood within the park. All firewood should be burned during your stay - do not leave firewood behind.

Likewise, do not transport firewood over long distance! The emerald ash borer (and other non-native pests) can spread through firewood. Missouri Department of Conservation recommends not moving firewood more than 50 miles.

Dead wood on the ground may be collected for campfires, with the following rules:

• Wood may not be collected from privately-owned property within the park boundary.
• Firewood must be used where it is collected.

Fires

Lighting or maintaining fires is only allowed under rules outlined in the superintendent's compendium. A summary can be found below:

• Campfires are permitted at designated campsites and must be contained in the metal fire ring provided. If there is no fire ring, utilize "Leave No Trace" practices for a small fire.
• Cooking fires are permitted in designated picnic areas and must be contained in the provided metal grills, or in a portable grill or stove.
• Relocating receptacles (fire rings or grills) is prohibited.
• Burning of tires, metal, aluminum, plastic, glass, or any other type of hazardous material is prohibited.
• During periods of elevated fire danger, open fires may be restricted or prohibited.
• Fires are prohibited in caves and within 50 feet of cave mouths.
• Fires are prohibited within 50 feet of designated river accesses/landings, except during gigging season.
• Fires are only allowed along the Ozark Trail if "Leave No Trace" practices are used.
• Campfires and cook-fires must be extinguished and free of litter before any site is left unattended.
• Burn all wood to ash and ensure fire is extinguished by soaking with water.

Campfires are permitted on gravel bars given they follow the relevant conditions above.

Stoves / Lanterns

• Hanging of lanterns on trees or tree limbs is prohibited.
• Operation of camp stoves on top of plastic-coated tables is prohibited. (Most picnic tables are plastic-coated.)

Generators

Generators are not allowed during quiet hours (established above). Generators are allowed outside of quiet hours, as long as they are not excessively loud.

If you have a need for electricity at night, medical or otherwise, please book an electric site ahead of time.

Designated Camping Areas

Camping is allowed in designated camping areas only. For a full list, please check the camping section of the superintendent's compendium.

Camping within 50 feet of any river access, landing, or cave mouth is prohibited. Camping inside caves is also prohibited.

Maximum Stay

Camping stays are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period in the same campground. All camping equipment, including vehicles, must be removed from the camping area at the end of the 14-day period.

Keeping a Clean Camp

Small critters like raccoons, skunks, and crows will visit our campgrounds from time to time. To prevent them from stealing food and making a mess, please keep your food and garbage in a proper garbage receptacle, vehicle, or hanging far out of reach.

The park is not responsible for property lost or damaged by wildlife.

"Holding" Campsites

Campers may not hold or reserve campsites for friend or family members, unless the site is paid for and occupied.

Campers may not set up unattended tents, campers, or RVs in a campsite with the intention of holding the site 24 hours prior to camping.

Unattended Campsites

Camping equipment - including vehicles, campers, and trailers - must not be left unattended for longer than 24 hours.

Refunds

Refunds are not issued through the park. However, refunds may be available through the reservation website at recreation.gov.

 

Camping Outside of Established Campgrounds

Camping outside of campgrounds is allowed only under the following circumstances as established by the superintendent's compendium:

Gravel Bar Camping

Gravel bar camping is allowed by visitors who float-in by motorized or non-motorized vessels, as long as the locations are approximately 300 yards away from any designated campground.

Remember that other park regulations apply as normal:

• Camping within 50 feet of any river access, landing, or cave mouth is prohibited. 
• Camping inside caves is also prohibited.
• Where a restroom is not available, human waste must be buried at least 6 inches underground, a minimum of 100 feet from any body of water, trail, or other facility.
• Fires must be built and extinguished per rules in the superintendent's compendium. A summary can be found on this page.

Other restrictions apply - be sure to follow all signs. For example, there is no camping at Welch Hospital.

Camping Along the Ozark Trail

Camping along the Ozark Trail is authorized provided the following conditions are met:

• Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail but must be at least 100' from water and scenic areas.
• Camping is not allowed on roads or in historic structures.
• Campers must use "Leave No Trace" practices.

Regulations apply as normal: Remember that camping within 50 feet of any river access, landing, or cave mouth is prohibited. Camping inside caves is also prohibited.

Other restrictions apply - be sure to follow all signs.

Camping with a Special Use Permit

Camping in a non-designated primitive site requires a special use permit, subject to the approval of the Superintendent. For example: camping for special events, hunting camps, or scientific research may get permission through the special use permit process.