Missouri / Madison County / Mark Twain National Forest

Silver Mines

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates March through October. Day use areas remain open year-round.

About

Silver Mines Campground is located along the St. Francis River in Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri's only classified whitewater river. The recreation area features 70 individual campsites spread across four loops: Riverside (11 electric sites with river views), Prospect and Summit (43 non-electric sites), and Spring Branch (16 non-electric sites). The campground also includes a group site accommodating up to 74 people. The area is named for the abandoned Einstein Mine, which operated from 1877 to 1946 extracting silver, tungsten, and lead. The campground is known for its spectacular Precambrian granite and felsite rock formations visible along the riverbanks. Two miles of hiking trails follow both sides of the St. Francis River, with a 1.2-mile spur connecting to Millstream Gardens Conservation Area upstream. The St. Francis River provides excellent fishing for bass and sunfish in its pool-drop stretches. During spring high water, the river becomes a popular whitewater kayaking destination, with the state holding an annual competition in March. The campground is especially busy during spring kayaking season but offers beautiful fall colors for autumn visitors. Some sites accommodate RV and trailer combinations up to 50 feet.

Directions

From Fredericktown at the intersection of MO Highway 72 and US Highway 67, head west on Highway 72 for approximately 4.3 miles to State Highway D near Oak Grove. Turn left onto Highway D and travel approximately 2.9 miles to the entrance on your right.

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