Is Back Country Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Back Country Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Back Country Campground?

Back Country Campground is open Operations generally follow the statewide on-season (typically Apr 1 through Oct 31); water and shower availability is usually provided in-season. Check the park page for specific seasonal exceptions.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Back Country Campground?

Back Country Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Back Country Campground?

Fire policies at Back Country Campground: Designated backcountry sites have fire rings; campers must follow park rules and Leave No Trace practices. Check the park bulletin board or contact the park office for any current fire restrictions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Back Country Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Back Country Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Back Country Campground?

Back Country Campground offers: Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Back Country Campground?

Popular activities at Back Country Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Back Country Campground

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12096 Park Drive, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670-8121, United States

Stargazing

Featured in:Primitive Camping Missouri

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Operations generally...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Operations generally...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Back Country Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping rates vary by facility and season; see Missouri State Parks camping rates page and the park's backcountry registration page for...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Missouri State Parks

Provider

573-883-3603

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

12096 Park Drive, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670-8121, United States

Back Country Campground

12096 Park Drive, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670-8121, United States

Nearby places

Ste. Genevieve (~30 minutes by car) for services and supplies

Nearby supplies

Ste. Genevieve (~30 minutes by car) for groceries, fuel and other supplies

Weather at Back Country Campground

Best Time to Camp at Back Country Campground

Fall delivers the best backcountry conditions. Daytime highs run mid-50s to mid-70s°F with crisp nights in the 30s to 50s°F, oaks and maples color up along the ridges, and creeks stay clear for water treatment. Spring offers wildflowers and full waterfalls but wetter trail sections. Summer brings heat, humidity, and bugs with no developed swimming to cool off, though you can wade the creeks. Winter camping is possible but rocky trail sections turn icy and some front-country water shuts off.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall noted as best season: crisp nights, peak foliage, clear creeks and excellent hiking conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Operations generally follow the statewide on-season (typically Apr 1 through Oct 31); water and shower availability is usually provided in-season. Check the park page for specific seasonal exceptions.

About Back Country Campground

Hawn State Park's backcountry sites sit along the Whispering Pines Trail in Missouri's Ozark hills, offering designated primitive camping among sandstone ridges, clear creeks, and dense pine-oak forest. The park has multiple backcountry sites accessible only by foot, each with a fire ring and semi-private placement in the woods. Sites fill quickly on weekends, so reserve ahead.

Backcountry/backpacking sites (Whispering Pines loop and connectors) intended for tent-based overnight stays with minimal infrastructure.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best backcountry conditions. Daytime highs run mid-50s to mid-70s°F with crisp nights in the 30s to 50s°F, oaks and maples color up along the ridges, and creeks stay clear for water treatment. Spring offers wildflowers and full waterfalls but wetter trail sections. Summer brings heat, humidity, and bugs with no developed swimming to cool off, though you can wade the creeks. Winter camping is possible but rocky trail sections turn icy and some front-country water shuts off.

Natural Features and SceneryThe backcountry unfolds across sandstone canyons and wooded ridges built from Lamotte Sandstone, some of the oldest exposed rock in the Missouri Ozarks. Clear creeks cut through the forest floor, pooling into riffles and spilling over small waterfalls near campsites 5 and 6. Trails climb steep sections to overlooks with views over forested valleys and ridgelines rolling south toward Ste. Genevieve. The canopy mixes towering shortleaf pine with deciduous oak and maple; moss covers boulders in the canyon bottoms. Hikers report turtles, lizards, and vocal songbirds along the water, plus ferns and wildflowers on the ridges in spring.

Geological RegionSandstone canyons and ridges within the Ozark region (Lamotte Sandstone exposures noted in park geology)

Scenic ViewsSeveral overlooks along the backpacking loops provide broad views over wooded ridges and valleys; many campsites sit near creeks or on forested ridgetops with wooded-valley vistas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRegister for Backcountry Camping via the link on the Hawn State Park page (see park backcountry registration / special-use area link on mostateparks.com).

Best CampsitesSite 5 gets the most mentions as the standout spot. It sits right next to the creek with easy water access, flowing-water sound, and large tent areas plus good hammock trees. Site 6 offers similar creek-adjacent perks just upstream. Site 10 sits more remote, about a quarter-mile off the main trail, quieter but with a short walk north for water. All designated sites have fire rings, sitting logs, and marked posts.

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Amenities available

Designated backcountry sites are minimal and intended for backpacking: established tent pads/clearings, a fire ring, sitting logs and marked posts. Individual backcountry sites do not provide toilets, showers, or potable water taps; front-country campground facilities (parking, restrooms, showers, dump station) exist elsewhere in the park but are separate from the backcountry sites.

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Backcountry camping centers on backpacking and day hiking along Whispering Pines and connector trails, with creek access, rock outcrops and overlooks. Park-level activities also include bicycling, fishing and wildlife/bird watching.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTerrain includes steep, rocky sections and occasional downed trees — expect moderate to difficult footing in places. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in much of the park. Insects (ticks, mosquitoes) are common in warm months; bring water treatment for natural sources and be prepared for variable creek conditions.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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From Booking Sources

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Limited Reviews

Back Country Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise Hawn's backcountry for quiet, scenic backpacking with rocky sandstone ridges, clear creeks, small waterfalls and excellent overlooks; backcountry sites are described as well-established and semi-private. Common negatives are limited cell service, rugged trail sections and minimal on-site amenities.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Well-marked trails and high-quality scenery (pine/oak forest, sandstone features, creek cascades), semi-private designated backcountry sites with fire rings and good hammock trees, standout creekside...

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Back Country Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping rates vary by facility and season; see Missouri State Parks camping rates page and the park's backcountry registration page for...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Missouri State Parks

Provider

573-883-3603

Go if

Backpackers after a real Ozarks overnight: the Whispering Pines loop runs nearly 10 miles through pine-oak forest, rocky ridgelines, and creek cascades. Site 5 is the standout, creekside with a waterfall nearby. Fall is the sweet spot for cool temps and color.

Skip if

No toilets, no potable water, and no cell signal at the sites. Carrying a filter and a paper map aren't optional here. Anyone expecting front-country comforts or a quick bail-out if something goes wrong will find this setup genuinely unprepared for them.

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