Dry Fork Recreation Area

Star4.14
61 reviews
County Road 356 and County Road 361, near Fulton, MO

Quick Facts

774 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

8 campsites

Season

The campground's gat...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District site

Official Website
Get Directions
Dry Fork Recreation Area
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The standard camping fee is $15 per night, and no additional fees are required for entrance. Donations are encouraged to maintain facilities.
Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS
Provider
417-967-4194sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
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What Campers Say

4.14

Satisfactory

Based on 61 reviews

52 Google reviews

Most mentioned

waterfriendlysites

Some mention

noise

"User reviews for Dry Fork Recreation Area highlight its peaceful setting, accessibility for equestrian users, and rustic amenities. Mixed sentiments are expressed regarding maintenance and enforcement of rules."

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Campground Map

County Road 356 and County Road 361, near Fulton, MO

Dry Fork Recreation Area

County Road 356 and County Road 361, near Fulton, MO

Driving directionsFrom Fulton, MO, take Highway 54 south to Route H; turn right to go west on Route H to Route J; turn right to go north on Route J to County Road 356; turn left to go west on County Road 356 to County Road 361; turn left to go south for 1 mile.
The campground is accessible by paved and gravel roads. Directions include turning onto smaller county roads (356 and 361), which may require careful attention to signage as noted by a user review: 'Write directions from website down.' Users have also mentioned that the entrance sign has been stolen, making navigation slightly challenging.
Nearby places
Fulton, MO (7 miles, approximately 15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Fulton, MO, approximately 7 miles away, is the nearest location for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel. Specific stores are not mentioned in the source.

Best Time to Camp at Dry Fork Recreation Area

Missouri's diverse climate paints Dry Fork Recreation Area in different colors throughout the year. Summer arrives with characteristic Midwestern warmth and humidity, creating lush green canopies and the symphony of cicadas. When winter settles in, the campground transforms into a stark but beautiful landscape, with temperatures dropping to create frosty mornings and crystalline air. Many seasoned visitors recommend planning your stay during the magical transition seasons: spring brings wildflowers and perfect hiking weather, while autumn wraps the oak and cedar forest in brilliant golds and russets, offering some of the year's most comfortable camping conditions.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Summer lushness noted but also tick issues and noise complaints in reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall described as more peaceful; pleasant trail and forest conditions implied.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring described as peaceful and campground reopens mid-April; good trail conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Winter closures limit access; gates/services resume around mid-April.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: No specific dates are provided for peak season, though the campground is likely busiest during summer and equestrian trail-riding seasons based on user reviews.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: The campground's gates and services start back up on April 15th if the date falls on a weekend. No additional seasonal details are provided.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts are detailed, though user reviews highlight recurring issues like trash and poor bathroom maintenance.

About Dry Fork Recreation Area

Tucked away in the heart of central Missouri, Dry Fork Recreation Area offers an authentic back-to-nature experience for those seeking simplicity and tranquility. This intimate campground serves as the gateway to the Cedar Creek Trail's equestrian adventures, with eight thoughtfully spaced primitive sites that welcome both tent campers and RV travelers (up to 30 feet). Each site comes equipped with the essentials for a memorable outdoor stay: sturdy picnic tables for family meals under the stars, fire rings for evening storytelling sessions, convenient lantern hooks, and hitching rails for your four-legged companions. While the campground embraces a rustic atmosphere with vault toilets and centralized water stations, modern conveniences haven't been forgotten. Just across the road, a welcoming picnic area complete with tables and grills provides the perfect spot for larger gatherings or afternoon cookouts.
This campground offers primitive camping options and is equestrian-friendly, accommodating both tent and RV camping.
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Stay Limit
No information about a maximum consecutive stay limit is provided.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Dry Fork Recreation Area provides recreational opportunities for equestrian activities, mountain biking, hiking, and picnicking. The 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail offers diverse sections marked with different colored diamonds, catering to a variety of experiences.
HikingHiking trails are part of the Cedar Creek Trail system, including sections such as the Southern Loop (22 miles), Smith Creek Section (5 miles), Pine Ridge Section (restricted to foot travel and mountain bikes), and Moon Loop (7 miles). These trails range from scenic routes to rugged landscapes.
BikingMountain biking is permitted on the Cedar Creek Trail, with notable segments including Southern Loop and Moon Loop.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife such as raccoons and birds (e.g., a cardinal that damages vehicles, as reported in user reviews) and the presence of ticks along trails during summer. The vault toilets have been noted for poor maintenance in some reviews.
Active AlertsNo active alerts are detailed, though user reviews highlight recurring issues like trash and poor bathroom maintenance.

Weather at Dry Fork Recreation Area

Reviews

4.1
61 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Dry Fork Recreation Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Dry Fork Recreation Area highlight its peaceful setting, accessibility for equestrian users, and rustic amenities. Mixed sentiments are expressed regarding maintenance and enforcement of rules.
Review Summaries
Based on 61 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the campground's secluded atmosphere, equestrian-friendly amenities, and affordability. "Large sites, water, pit toilet just as expected" and "Love camping here! Campers respect each...
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Based on 61 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include poor vault toilet maintenance, long-term residents occupying sites, litter issues, and disruptive behavior such as excessive noise from generators. One user reported, "Couldn't...
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Based on 61 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations include bringing extra trash bags, avoiding trails during tick season, and dropping donations to support maintenance. "Donations run the place so be sure to drop a $5 in to keep it...
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Based on 61 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months often see tick problems and noise complaints, while spring and fall are described as more peaceful. Winter closures limit accessibility.
Based on 61 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Love this National forest campground, there are not many equestrian camping places available with great trails to ride your horse." "Awesome place to get away...nice peaceful stuff." "If the dates...
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Based on 61 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific concerns were raised about long-term residents occupying some campsites, and complaints about litter affecting equestrian use. One camper noted: "A couple sites look like long-term residents...
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Based on 61 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility for equestrian users is praised, but no specific reviews address facilities for campers with disabilities.
Based on 61 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are permitted but must remain leashed. Some reviews emphasize the importance of cleaning up after pets and ensuring their safety during hot weather.
Based on 61 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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