Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Star4.23
113 reviews
Pine Ridge Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

Quick Facts

801 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District site

Official Website
Get Directions
Pine Ridge Recreation Area
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping fee is $15 per night. No additional fees were noted, and some user reviews mentioned an honor-based donation system.
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

4.23

Satisfactory

Based on 113 reviews

96 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciouswaterfriendly

Some mention

noiseroad noise

"Users generally rate Pine Ridge Recreation Area positively, highlighting its peaceful atmosphere, cleanliness, and proximity to hiking trails. However, some reviewers raised concerns about privacy at campsites, occasional noise, and theft incidents."

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Campground Map

Pine Ridge Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Pine Ridge Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

Driving directionsFrom New Bloomfield, head west on Route J for 1 mile; Where Route J splits with Route MM, turn right/north to stay on Route J towards Guthrie and travel for 2.7 miles; Then turn left/west onto Route Y and travel for 2.6 miles. The campground will be on your right.
The roads leading to the campground and campsite parking are asphalt-paved with no vehicle clearance restrictions noted. Accessibility is straightforward and suitable for standard vehicles and RVs.
Nearby places
New Bloomfield (approx. 4 miles, 10 minutes)
Guthrie (approx. 3 miles, 8 minutes)
Ashland (approx. 15 miles, 15 minutes)
Columbia (approx. 20 miles, 20 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies such as groceries and fuel can be found in Ashland, approximately 15 minutes away.

Best Time to Camp at Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Experience the full spectrum of Missouri's seasons at Pine Ridge, where each time of year paints the forest in different hues. Winter brings crisp, dry air and peaceful solitude, while summer transforms the campground into a lush, green sanctuary (though pack that bug spray for those humid evenings!). For the ultimate camping experience, visit during spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor, or in fall when the oaks blaze with color and cool, clear nights are perfect for stargazing around the campfire.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Open in summer with trails, but reviewers warn of ticks, higher temps and occasional noise.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Spring/fall popular for hiking; foliage and mild weather enhance visitor experience.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring is popular for hiking and wildlife; pleasant weather and trail access noted.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5
Top 14% in MO

Winter offers crisp air and solitude but reviews note some seasonal closures limiting access.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season likely corresponds to warmer months (spring, summer) though not explicitly stated.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round with certain seasonal closures noted in reviews for winter months.

About Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Nestled within the sprawling Mark Twain National Forest, Pine Ridge Recreation Area offers an intimate escape into nature with just eight thoughtfully spaced campsites. Each site comes fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable outdoor experience—sturdy tables for family meals under the stars, fire rings for evening storytelling, convenient lantern posts to light your way, and grills for cooking up your catch of the day. This hidden gem provides the perfect balance of amenities and wilderness, where the whisper of wind through towering pines creates nature's own symphony.
Pine Ridge Recreation Area provides options for tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. The campground is described as primitive, with vault toilets and potable water available.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
After 10:00 AM
Check-out
Before 6:00 AM
Stay Limit
  • 14 days max for continuous stay
  • honor-based system

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Campers at Pine Ridge Recreation Area can engage in hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. The Cedar Creek Trail is a major attraction, offering 36 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Picnicking is supported with four picnic sites featuring tables and grills. User reviews often highlight the beauty of the trails and opportunities for family-friendly activities in the field.
HikingThe Cedar Creek Trail, spanning 36 miles, has four loops suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Specific loops include the Southern Loop (22 miles), Smith Creek Loop (5 miles), Pine Ridge section (1 mile), and Moon Loop (7 miles). User reviews praise the trail system, such as Curtis Marr affirming, 'Great campground vast trail system,' and Daniel Hickey recommending, 'Trails, Geocaching, and camping.'
BikingMountain biking is popular on the Cedar Creek Trail, with loops open for biking. The Pine Ridge section is explicitly managed for foot and mountain bike use. User reviews favorably mention biking, such as Adrianna Villanueva noting, 'Camp for the cedar ridge trail, the trailhead is located here.'
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is accessible, as noted by Steven Hughes: 'There were rabbits and butterflies.' User reviews emphasize the peaceful natural environment and its suitability for observing wildlife.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include ticks noted in user reviews, as well as occasional road noise and nearby farm noise (e.g., roosters).

Weather at Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Reviews

4.2
113 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Pine Ridge Recreation Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Users generally rate Pine Ridge Recreation Area positively, highlighting its peaceful atmosphere, cleanliness, and proximity to hiking trails. However, some reviewers raised concerns about privacy at campsites, occasional noise, and theft incidents.
Review Summaries
Based on 113 reviews

What Campers Love

Well-maintained campsite amenities; clean vault toilets and water sources; scenic trails; spacious campsites; friendly camp host; proximity to nature and wildlife.
Based on 113 reviews

Common Concerns

Noise from nearby roads and neighboring farms; theft incidents reported; limited amenities like no showers; occasional high traffic and dumpster noise.
Based on 113 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend arriving early to secure a site, keeping belongings secure to avoid theft, and bringing extra supplies for primitive camping conditions. Additionally, they advise exploring the trails...
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Based on 113 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter closure limits accessibility during colder months. Spring and fall are popular for hiking and camping; summer may bring ticks and higher temperatures.
Based on 113 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Overall great tent camping experience! Set in a picturesque pine forest, clean restroom, and multiple water spouts.' - Josh Albarelli 'Nice secluded campground that's only a twenty-minute drive from...
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Based on 113 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific details include privacy variations, with some sites set back into the woods and others more exposed. Users recommend sites further from the road for quieter experiences.
Based on 113 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features like accessible tables, toilets, grills, and lantern posts are available. No user reviews specifically address these features.
Based on 113 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Numerous reviews confirm the campground's pet-friendly policies. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. User recommendations include keeping pet waste and food stored securely. For example,...
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Based on 113 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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