Pinewoods Lake
Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping costs Single Site: $15 per night. Pinewoods Lake is a National Forest campground near Ellsinore, Missouri.
First-come, first-served
- National Forest
- Managed by
Pinewoods Lake sits inside Mark Twain National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Single Site: $15 per night
Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30
What's there
- ✓ Toilets
- ✕ Potable water
On site: Toilets. No potable water.
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 350 ft
36.9207, -90.7734 in Carter. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Pinewoods Lake?
No. Pinewoods Lake is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Pinewoods Lake?
Camping at Pinewoods Lake costs Single Site: $15 per night.
Is there drinking water at Pinewoods Lake?
No. Pinewoods Lake has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Who manages Pinewoods Lake?
Pinewoods Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around Pinewoods Lake
Waterfalls and swimming nearby
Nearest to Pinewoods Lake, in straight-line miles: Big Spring (swimming hole, 12 miles), Rocky Falls (waterfall, 27 miles), and Blue Spring (swimming hole, 27 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
Pinewoods Lake Rec Area - Sites
- 15
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Not on record
Markham Springs - Sites
- 32
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Single Site: $10 per night
Big Spring - Sites
- 133
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Not on record
Watercress - Sites
- 17
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Single Site: $10 per night
More campgrounds: camping near Ellsinore and campgrounds in Carter.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-30