Slabtown Recreation Area

2 reviews

Slabtown Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest

Quick Facts

886 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

886 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

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

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USFS

Provider

417-967-4194sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov

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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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Slabtown Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest

Slabtown Recreation Area

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.

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.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round and boating/fishing available, but summer vegetation can obscure vistas.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall preferred for hiking and clearer vistas; foliage likely enhances scenery.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring wildflower blooms and comfortable hiking weather are specifically mentioned.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

Top 1% in MO

Open year-round; fall‑to‑spring noted as good hiking season when vistas are clearer.

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.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

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 camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThree dispersed sites with picnic tables and fire rings scattered among the trees near a parking area.

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.

AccessibilityThe vault toilet and picnic tables are accessible, supporting visitors with disabilities.

Site SizeStandard-sized tent camping sites.

PrivacySites are not explicitly described as secluded or private.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesCampers should choose sites away from trails and water sources, as recommended in Leave No Trace principles.

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.

HikingThe 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.

FishingFishing 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.

BoatingBoating 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

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRapidly rising river levels are a potential hazard. Campers should remain vigilant for changing water conditions.

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

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed using dead and downed wood only; fireworks are strictly prohibited.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly stated; campground is recommended for quiet camping.

Emergency ServicesHouston/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.

Trash & RecyclingThere are no trash containers on-site; visitors are required to pack out all trash according to Leave No Trace principles.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to the Big Piney River, which provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and motorized boating.

Weather at Slabtown Recreation Area

Reviews

0.0

2 reviews

Limited 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 reviews

Common Concerns

No specific complaints were detailed in the reviews.

Based on 2 reviews

Pro 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 reviews

Seasonal 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 reviews

Camper Quotes

'14 day camping picnic tables and a boat ramp.' - Mozarkie. 'It was good nice boat ramp.good ⛺ camping.' - Bruce Turner.

Based on 2 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are three single camping sites available, described as standard tent camping sites.

Based on 2 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features such as accessible vault toilets and picnic tables were noted.

Based on 2 reviews

Pet-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 reviews

0 review