Want to camp this summer? Check out these southwest MO spots from the MDC

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — With stormy springtime weather beginning to ease back, families looking for an economical, enjoyable time to spend together this summer can look no further than the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) camping opportunities.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area (Christian County): This area south of Ozark features eight designated camping spots. These sites are designed to be tent-only and require a short walk from the parking area. People wanting to camp at Busiek must first obtain a special-use permit from MDC’s Southwest Regional Office at 2630 N. Mayfair Ave. in Springfield. These permits are free, but campers must obtain them through an in-person visit to MDC’s Southwest Regional Office; they are not issued online or over-the-phone.

Little Sac Woods Conservation Area (Greene County): This area features two designated primitive camping spots. Both camping areas are tent-only and require campers to walk from the parking lot. As is the case with Busiek, people wanting to camp at the Little Sac Area must first obtain a special-use permit from MDC’s Southwest Regional Office at 2630 N. Mayfair Ave.

Lead Mine Conservation Area (Dallas County): This area features five designated primitive camping areas. The main campground has 50 gravel sites. The other four camping areas are primitive and provide campers with an open area to camp, but no other amenities. These designated camping sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. An MDC special-use permit is not needed except if a group of 10 or more individuals wish to camp at the same area.

People interested in camping at MDC areas with designated camping sites need to remember that these spots include no RV hook-ups, no bathroom/shower facilities and no drinking water.

People can get more information about camping at any of the MDC areas listed above by calling MDC’s Southwest Regional Office in Springfield at (417) 895-6880.

In addition to MDC public use areas that have designated spots for camping, some other MDC areas allow primitive camping anywhere on the area.

People should check the area regulations of a specific area (either online, at an MDC office, or with a conservation agent) to learn more about camping regulations at a specific area.

Camping at all MDC areas is limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period.