Seeking recommendations - AR/southern MO
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: General Camping
Forum Name: Camp Grounds
Forum Discription: Share your r-pod friendly camp spots
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5630
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 1:44pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Seeking recommendations - AR/southern MO
Posted By: MissyBuck
Subject: Seeking recommendations - AR/southern MO
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 2:26pm
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We are planning a trip in early May to the Ozarks- Arkansas and Missouri. We love state parks, but we also are of the wimpy category of campers and prefer full hook ups. Sewer is nice, but not a necessity. Would love to be on or near a body of water - we have kayaks and enjoy paddling and/or fishing. We also are hikers, so hiking trails are almost a must. I have looked online at Lake Ouachita SP and would love to hear anyone's experiences there.
Thanks Fellow PodPeople! ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Replies:
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 9:36pm
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It's been quite a few years since I was at Lake Ouachita SP but I remember it as being a pretty place. Was at Hot Springs two years ago .. very cool little town. It's a pretty part of AR. The Mountain Home area of AR has some good camping areas. Beautiful scenery but sure not easy to get to. (Or maybe I just did it the hard way.) Stockton Lake in SE Missouri (just north of Springfield) has some good camping areas & good fishing. A little more off the beaten path. Sorry I can't offer more. Hope this helps. My in-laws lived in Eureka Springs for several years and now live near Springfield, so I've roamed the area quite a bit. It's pretty country. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 6:52am
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missybuck: just turned on computer, saw this, but need to head out. i have spent alot of time canoeing/camping southern missouri/ozarks. will be getting back to you soon. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: MissyBuck
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 8:40am
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Thanks hogone- looking forward to it! ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 1:36pm
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for starters, there is some awesome canoeing rivers in southern missouri; curent river, eleven point, northfork of the white, and the jacks fork. current, eleven point, and northfork are spring fed with many beautiful springs right on the river. current and jacks are part of the national scenic riverways and eleven point national park service. you can find excellent maps on the web. excellent camping on the rivers as well, several national park campgrounds although i'm not sure if they have sewer hookups. lots of primitive camping accesible to the pod. be back later with more!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 7:05pm
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Only a handful of Missouri State Parks have full hookup, but have elec/water sites and all have dump stations. We have not had a problem overfilling our gray water tanks, but use the campground shower houses. Arkansas parks have more campgrounds with full hookups. Most southern MO parks are in great areas. If you are looking to get away from it all, I would avoid Lake of the Ozarks, Bennett Spring and Table Rock State Parks as they can get quite crowded. Roaring River, Mountauk, Current River, Meramac, Johnson's Shut-Ins have more of a rustic feel and beautiful surroundings - but I would avoid them on the weekends. In Arkansas we like Devil's Den, Mount Nebo, Petit Jean but they have little access to water. Buffalo River area is gorgeous and has great floating, but I've never camped at any of those parks. ------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 7:25pm
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just to clarify one thing from mopods post. there is alot of various camping opportunities on the current river(through the national scenic riverways), but "current river state park" does not have camping. if you go to the national scenic riverways website, an excellent map of the campgrounds/areas. peck ranch conservation area has primitive camping and now holds a fairly good herd of elk. the most developed campgrounds with likely hook-ups (probably no sewer) is round springs, alley springs, pulltight, and van buren. more to come!!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 7:41pm
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oops, and mountauk (state park) as mopod stated. all 4 of these are on the current river ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 8:23pm
Hogone's correct, there is no "Current River State Park", we usually use Round Spring as it allows access with a short drive to the Missouri and Arkansas paddling rivers. Hogone, thanks for keeping me honest. ------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 8:48pm
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mopod: there is a "current river state park", it just doesn't have camping. it is the old alton club property. the parks got this land several years ago. if i understand correctly, someday may have camping. i'm not even sure they allow access, even though right on the river. i also recently read that mountauk (headwaters of the current river) is adding a big new loop with full hookups (yes, i think sewer). its under construction as we speak. missybuck: the current river area is beautiful, but as mentioned, does get crowded on weekends in the summer. if your coming early may, it shouldn't be to bad. don't rule out the eleven point!!!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: MissyBuck
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 8:57pm
Thanks for all the great info! I will take all I can get if yall wanna keep at it  ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 9:10pm
missybuck: what do you want to do more specificly? canoeing/kayaking daytrips, haul gear and camp on the river, hiking, fishing, explore, obviously pod camping !!, all of the mentioned? i've been up and down these rivers alot, more than glad to keep this up! hogone------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: MissyBuck
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 9:31pm
Hogone- we have our own kayaks and we mostly like to paddle around lakes and calm rivers. We are not into doing rapids and such. Haven't tried fishing from the kayak, but my give that a shot. We are not the "sleep on the ground" type of campers. I guess what we techincally do is travel while sleeping in a travel trailer rather than a hotel, but we like to call it camping.  So, our kayaking adventures are just day trips. We also enjoy exploring any small towns in the area. Or any local attractions, museums, etc. Our main activity on our trips is hiking. We are not too adventurous with our hiking as we are with our kayaking. We prefer well marked trails of probably no more than 5-6 miles. If the trails aren't overly strenuous, possibly longer.
As far as our ideal campsite - large, shady, near water or on the water, mountain view and full hook ups. Of course this is the dream spot, so all of these are negotiable. (But we do insist on water and electric) And thanks again! And once again - thanks! ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 10:08pm
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missybuck: ok, i need to rethink this. you will encounter rapids on these rivers. several years ago i was on my first day of a 6 day 78 miler on the upper jacks (which flows into the current). this river is pretty narrow and flowing good!! on the upper section, came flying around a bend and yep, a root wad/tree right in the middle. absolutely no time to react, hit that baby and wrapped my canoe around this thing. first thought was save the gear(which i do not tie in for this exact reason), which we did entirely with the exception of one paddle(which i always bring 4 of). now was the time to salvage the canoe which i thought was shot. and yes, we are in the middle of no where. well after some serious planning, we got the canoe out and threw it on shore. after about an hour of bending, twisting, pounding, bracing with some wood (oh ya, duct tape), patching with marine puddy; we thru the gear in and six days later pulled out in van buren. oh ya, also found the lost paddle!!! so long story short, depending on water level, you will experience rapids of various degrees however mostly 1's and 2's. i've experience rises of over 12 feet on the current (yes while i was on it). i am not trying to steer you from these areas, just being honest of there potential. i will be thinking and posting other options of the area as well. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 9:51am
There's all kinds of uses for campers. Camping, traveling, "hoteling", spare bedroom, we've done all of it. I would say camping is when you go to enjoy the outdoors at a specific location. When traveling it is used more like a hotel room - stops for museums, parks, events, etc. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: MissyBuck
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 10:15am
The reason I define our camping that way is I have been criticized by peeps who do the hardcore camping. And I agree, to me camping is also about enjoying being in the outdoors and enjoying nature.  ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 10:27am
No matter what the activity, there will ALWAYS be some people who think they do "IT" better than you do. You can't fix it, and you can't explain to them that camping is camping. I hunt deer (among other things) and take advantage of all seasons... In the archery world, you should hear some of the compound bow people lose their minds at crossbow people... And then the recurve people bagging on the compounds, and then the stick bow people bagging on them.. and then the "I built my bow and arrows myself from trees on my property" bunch bag on EVERYONE else.. etc etc. In muzzle loader hunting it's the same thing.. in-line vs cap lock vs flint lock vs wheel lock vs match lock..... and don't even get to talking about the states that have made it a "primitive arms" season, or "black powder season".. lol Just go camping the way you like, and enjoy. I used to be so hardcore I cut the handles off my toothbrush. And didn't consider it a proper day in the woods if I met a single other person. Now I carry TWO toothbrushes in the camper, and half my camping last year was at Pod rallies of one sort or another. ------------- |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 1:42pm
no need for two toothbrushes. all you need is a pine tree branch and start scrubbing/brushing!! oh yes, I have mellowed tremoundously over the years, thats why i bought the pod. love the comfys of home. and i agree missybuck, when were traveling and pull into a cracker barrel/rest area, its camping just in a different setting . i will say though i do still really love solitude and the less people the better. hogone------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 1:57pm
"Hike your own hike." --------------------------------------------------- What?! You carried toothbrushes when you went ultra-light? Yeah, I went to some extremes too when I got bit by the ultralight bug. Dropped the pack from over 40 to about 18 pounds for a weekender, including a starting load of water and 1 or 2 luxuries. Could have easily dropped a few more pounds but I was happy... hiking my own hike. Didn't go as far as cutting handles off, though.------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: MissyBuck
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 2:20pm
We have been "camping" of some sort most of our 32 1/2 years of marriage. We started with a pick-up with a camper shell and an air mattress on a platform. Have owned 3 pop ups and 3 different travel trailers before we bought our Pod. Through all these units, we have finally figured out what is most important to us when we camp. Most importantly is discovering another part of the US and being in the outdoors and being unplugged. But we also discovered that we enjoy it more when we have just enough of "home comforts" to keep us rested. Like a nice warm (or cool) bed, the ability to cook indoors if necessary and a somewhat comfortable place to lounge when the weather is crappy. My feeling about it is - just do it. If that means a 500k super motorhome or a 2 man tent. Just enjoy.  And don't think your way is the only way. ------------- Melissa (and Buck) 2015 RP 178 aka Podimus Minimus 3/4 Ton Suburban TV |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 3:53pm
Hogone, after reading your canoeing mishap all I could think was I hope they didn't hear any Banjo Music. Sorry, I could not help myself  ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 9:30pm
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planning a trip in feb hopefully water is up i cant stop . hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |