North Fork Campground
Open for the 2026 season. The campground operates May 1 through December 1. All sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Fees are paid at on-site fee tubes. Current fire danger is moderate.
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 10:44PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
* WHAT...Heat index values of 100 to 105. Minimal overnight relief with temperatures in the middle to upper 70s. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Kansas and central, east central, south central, southwest, and west central Missouri. * WHEN...From noon Monday to 8 PM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Forest Order 09-05-21-26-03 National Forest System Road 566 Closure
This is a temporary closure for FS Road 566 up to Coy Bald Trailhead to avoid risk of entrapment from flooding waters during the peak rain season. Access to the Coy Bald Trailhead requires crossing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land—and traversing the Cane Creek low‑water crossing, a…
Weather Conditions
Please check weather conditions prior to visiting. Forecasts can be found:National Weather Service - Springfield, MO Severe Weather Potential National Weather Service - Springfield, MO (Facebook) Safety Tips are available: Brave the Elements Ready.gov - Floods Severe Weather Tornadoes
About
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, boating, canoeing, hiking, and fishing access to the scenic North Fork of the White River, fed by nine major springs including Blue Spring, which contributes around 7 million gallons of cold, clear water daily. The campground sits in an oak-hickory forest with tulip poplar and sycamore, offering views across the river to mixed hardwood and pine forest with rock bluffs at the edge of Devils Backbone Wilderness Area. The 19 campsites are spread across three loops, providing good privacy between sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and tent pad. Central amenities include vault toilets, drinking water faucets, and garbage collection. One site offers 30-amp electric hookups. Sites accommodate travel trailers under 30 feet, with some fitting RVs up to 34 feet. From the recreation area, paddlers can access Blue Spring via the river, or hike the Blue Spring Trail to reach the 30-foot diameter spring surrounded by cherty Gasconade dolomite walls representing the karst topography of the Ozarks.
Directions
From West Plains: Take CC highway west to North Fork Campground. Turn left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $10 - $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 34ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 34ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (417) 683-4428 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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