Backcountry Camping

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.

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Due to construction of Spirit Trail, backcountry campsites on McAdoo Trail are unavailable until further notice.

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Backcountry camping can be the ultimate experience for hikers and equestrians who want to have an overnight experience along McAdoo Trail of Knob Noster State Park.

Along McAdoo Trail are two designated primitive backcountry campsites. The campsites are located 0.2 mile from the McAdoo Trail trailhead; however, if the gate is closed, it is approximately 0.5 mile to the campsites. Each site offers a campfire ring, picnic table, lantern post and horse hitching high line.

Water is available at the trailhead from April 15 to Oct. 31. From April 1-14, water is not available at the park.

Overnight parking for campers is allowed at the trailhead located near Camp Bobwhite off Highway DD. To get to the pack-in sites, follow the white connector color along McAdoo Trail for approximately 0.2 mile; the campsites are on the right. Trailhead location: 38.73993, -93.61366.

Backcountry campsite locations

Additional trail details

Backcountry Campsite Details

Camping is limited to two designated sites along McAdoo Trail. The nightly rate is $10, and the standard reservation, cancellation and modification policies for campsites is applied.

Campers can reserve their backcountry camping site in advance by:

1. Visiting the online reservation system and reserving a site no later than 7 p.m. CST the day of arrival. You must have a customer account to make your reservation.
2. Calling the reservation call center at 877-422-6766 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT daily.

When making a reservation online at icampmo.com, the visitor can easily view campsites to determine which campsites are available with an easy-to-use map and the ability to see multiple photos for each site. Same-day reservations are accepted March through November online at icampmo.com or by phone at 877-422-6766 up until 7 p.m. the day of the visitor's planned arrival. Any site not reserved remains available for walk-up registration. Before occupying a site, check with the park staff or follow the directions on the posted card or signs.

The maximum group size at each campsite is six hikers. The sites are numbered E1 and E2 and are located about 50 feet from each other. Overnight parking for hikers is allowed at the trailhead with a maximum of two vehicles per campsite.