Backcountry Camping

at Hawn State Park

Backcountry camping can be the ultimate experience for hikers who want to have an overnight experience along Whispering Pine Trail of Hawn State Park.

The trail provides the opportunity for day hikes of varying lengths or a longer backpacking trip. It meanders through a beautiful mixed hardwood and pine forest, which is home to a variety of animals such as bobcat and wild turkey. Extensive exposures of sandstone and granite can be explored along the banks of Pickle Creek and the River Aux Vases.

Water is not available at the trailhead, but can be obtained at the park office or the campground. Water from Pickle Creek or the River Aux Vases may be used for drinking while on the trail, but it should always be treated before consumption. The trail is signed in a counterclockwise direction with colored arrows. Red arrows identify the north loop; blue arrows mark the south loop; and additional markers are used to mark spur trails leading to the camp areas.

Backcountry campsite locations

Additional trail details

Backcountry Campsite Details

Camping is limited to 10 designated sites along Whispering Pine Trail loops and White Connector 3. The nightly rate is $10 and the standard reservation, cancellation and modification policy 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 www.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 www.icampmo.com or by phone at 877-422-6766 up until 7 p.m. the day of your planned arrival. Any site not reserved remains available for walk-up registration by contacting the park office or camp host at the check station in the campground.

The maximum group size at each campsite is six hikers. The sites are numbered 1-10. Site numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are close to water. Overnight parking for hikers is allowed at the trailhead with a maximum of two vehicles per campsite.