Slabtown Recreation Area
02 reviewsSlabtown Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
Slabtown Recreation Area
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required for camping at Slabtown Recreation Area.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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USFS
Provider417-967-4194sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
What Campers Say
N/A
Limited Reviews
Based on 2 reviews
17 Google reviews
"User reviews describe Slabtown Recreation Area as a quiet and scenic location with basic amenities, suitable for campers who enjoy simplicity and nature."
Fees & Passes at Slabtown Recreation Area
Free
Campsite fees
Standard Site
Basic tent/RV spot
Stay Limit: Up to 14 consecutive days of camping.
Cancellation: Cancellation policy is not applicable since reservations are not required.
Prices verified November 17, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District website.
Best Time to Camp at Slabtown Recreation Area
Each season paints Slabtown in dramatically different hues, creating a year-round canvas of natural wonder. Spring arrives with wildflower blooms and comfortable hiking weather, while autumn transforms the hardwood canopy into a breathtaking tapestry of gold and crimson. Summer days reach a pleasant 89°F, perfect for river adventures and cooling dips in the Big Piney. Winter brings a peaceful solitude to the forest, with crisp mornings that can dip to 25°F, ideal for campfire gatherings under star-filled skies. While Mother Nature occasionally delivers rain showers or dustings of snow, the mild climate ensures comfortable camping conditions throughout most of the year.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.
Planning Tips
- Operating Season: Open year-round from January to December.
About Slabtown Recreation Area
Tucked away in the heart of Mark Twain National Forest, Slabtown Recreation Area beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness escape. This hidden gem offers complimentary dispersed camping along the pristine Big Piney River, where three intimate campsites await with welcoming picnic tables and stone fire rings. Here, the rhythmic flow of the river provides a natural soundtrack as you settle into your riverside retreat. Whether you're launching a kayak at dawn, casting a line into promising waters, or setting off on forest trails that wind through ancient hardwoods, Slabtown serves as your gateway to Missouri's untamed beauty.
The Slabtown Recreation Area is exclusively designated for tent camping in a dispersed camping style. No RV or cabin accommodations are offered.
Historical SignificanceCamping at Slabtown means sleeping beneath the same stars that once inspired Missouri's beloved storyteller, Samuel Clemens—better known as Mark Twain. This corner of the Mark Twain National Forest carries the spirit of America's literary giant, whose tales of river adventures and frontier life echo through these wooded valleys. While the campground itself holds no formal historical markers, every bend in the Big Piney River and every ancient oak tells the continuing story of Missouri's wild places that Twain himself would have recognized and cherished.
Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Slabtown in dramatically different hues, creating a year-round canvas of natural wonder. Spring arrives with wildflower blooms and comfortable hiking weather, while autumn transforms the hardwood canopy into a breathtaking tapestry of gold and crimson. Summer days reach a pleasant 89°F, perfect for river adventures and cooling dips in the Big Piney. Winter brings a peaceful solitude to the forest, with crisp mornings that can dip to 25°F, ideal for campfire gatherings under star-filled skies. While Mother Nature occasionally delivers rain showers or dustings of snow, the mild climate ensures comfortable camping conditions throughout most of the year.
Natural Features and SceneryNature has sculpted Slabtown into a masterpiece of Ozark beauty, where towering hardwood forests create a living cathedral overhead. Dramatic limestone bluffs rise from the forest floor, their weathered faces telling geological stories millions of years in the making. Ancient rock outcrops provide natural viewing platforms overlooking the serpentine Big Piney River below. The river itself transforms like a chameleon—peaceful pools perfect for swimming give way to lively riffles that challenge paddlers, while upstream sections offer tranquil waters ideal for floating and fishing. This ever-changing waterway serves as the lifeblood of the ecosystem, supporting everything from darting minnows to majestic herons.
Geological RegionSlabtown showcases the geological wonders of Missouri's Ozark highlands within the expansive Mark Twain National Forest. Millennia of erosion have carved spectacular limestone bluffs that tower above the Big Piney River, creating a dramatic landscape of vertical rock faces and weathered outcrops. The river has patiently sculpted its path through ancient bedrock, forming a diverse aquatic playground of deep, contemplative pools, swift shallow riffles, and everything in between. This dynamic waterway, framed by forest-cloaked hills and punctuated by exposed rock formations, offers visitors a front-row seat to the ongoing geological drama of the Ozarks.
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Campsite details
AccessibilityThe vault toilet and picnic tables are accessible, supporting visitors with disabilities.
Sites SizeStandard-sized tent camping sites.
Sites PrivacySites are not explicitly described as secluded or private.
Total Campsites3 campsites
Recommended CampsitesCampers should choose sites away from trails and water sources, as recommended in Leave No Trace principles.
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Curated by campers, for campers
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Reserving a campsite
Check-in
6:00 AM
Check-out
10:00 PM
Stay Limit
Up to 14 consecutive days of camping.
Guests Allowed Per Site
- Not explicitly stated
- typical dispersed camping regulations apply.
Groups
No group sites are available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThree dispersed sites with picnic tables and fire rings scattered among the trees near a parking area.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round from January to December.
Reservation PlatformsNo reservation platforms; camping is first-come, first-serve.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-serve camping for all sites; availability depends on site occupation.
Cancellation PolicyCancellation policy is not applicable since reservations are not required.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Slabtown Recreation Area offers hiking, fishing, and boating activities suitable for outdoor enthusiasts. Reviewers appreciated the quiet atmosphere and natural beauty.
Hiking
The 1-mile Slabtown Bluff Trail begins at the boat launch parking area and winds through hardwoods, leading up to a ridge overlooking the Big Piney River. It is an out-and-back trail with scenic views of bluffs and the river. Preferred hiking times are fall to spring, as summer vegetation limits the vistas.Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the Big Piney River, a Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area. The river features gravel bottoms and variating runs, riffles, and pools. Fish species include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and catfish. Fishing methods such as fly-fishing and pole/rod & reel are supported. There are no designated fishing platforms.Boating
Boating is supported with a single-lane concrete boat ramp suitable for motorboats and non-motorized watercraft. However, the draft at the bottom of the ramp is shallow due to gravel buildup, and the river can be swift.Winter Activities
No specific winter activities are mentioned.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports such as kayaking and canoeing are supported on the Big Piney River.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires are allowed using dead and downed wood only; fireworks are strictly prohibited.
- Quiet hours are Not explicitly stated; campground is recommended for quiet camping.
Hazards
General hazardsRapidly rising river levels are a potential hazard. Campers should remain vigilant for changing water conditions.
Weather at Slabtown Recreation Area
32
°F
Dec 8
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 86%
High humidity, may feel muggy
Wind: 8.5 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District office: Address: 108 S. Sam Houston Blvd., Houston, MO 65483. Phone: 417-967-4194. Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, closed from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM for lunch and on federal holidays.
Good to know
Trash and recyclingThere are no trash containers on-site; visitors are required to pack out all trash according to Leave No Trace principles.
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to the Big Piney River, which provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and motorized boating.
Common complaintsUser reviews are generally positive, citing the quiet ambiance and the quality of the boat ramp. However, some may find the lack of potable water and trash facilities inconvenient.
Campground Map
Slabtown Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest
Driving directionsFrom Roby, MO: Take 17 North for 1.5 miles to County Road 800, turn right onto County Road 800, and drive 7 miles on gravel. After crossing Big Piney Bridge, the road turns to asphalt; Slabtown will be on your right shortly after the bridge. From Licking, MO: Take Highway 32 West for 3 miles to Highway N, turn right onto Highway N, and drive 2 miles, then turn left onto Highway AF for 4 miles; Slabtown will be on your left.
The area is accessible via gravel roads leading to asphalt near the Big Piney Bridge; suitable route for most vehicles but may require caution during rainy weather.Nearby places
Roby, MO (~8 miles, ~15 minutes), Licking, MO (~7 miles, ~15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies can be found in Roby, MO (~8 miles) for grocery, camping supplies, and fuel.
Reviews from booking and map sources
0.0
2 reviews
Slabtown Recreation Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews describe Slabtown Recreation Area as a quiet and scenic location with basic amenities, suitable for campers who enjoy simplicity and nature.
Review Summaries
Based on 2 reviews
What Campers Love
Reviewers noted the availability of picnic tables, fire rings, and a boat ramp as positives. The scenic trail and fishing opportunities were also appreciated.
Based on 2 reviewsCommon Concerns
No specific complaints were detailed in the reviews.
Based on 2 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Campers are advised to treat water found in the area before consumption and to pack out all trash. Following Leave No Trace principles is strongly recommended.
Based on 2 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Fall to spring are noted as the preferred seasons for hiking due to clearer vistas. Summer vegetation may obstruct scenic views.
Based on 2 reviewsCamper Quotes
'14 day camping picnic tables and a boat ramp.' - Mozarkie. 'It was good nice boat ramp.good ⛺ camping.' - Bruce Turner.
Based on 2 reviewsSite-Specific Reviews
There are three single camping sites available, described as standard tent camping sites.
Based on 2 reviewsAccessibility Features
Accessibility features such as accessible vault toilets and picnic tables were noted.
Based on 2 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are allowed but must be kept on a six-foot leash. Dog food should be stored in bear-resistant containers, and waste must be bagged and packed out.
Based on 2 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated November 17, 2025
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