Mark Twain National Forest — Attraction in Bunker

This is absolutely a beautiful, secluded and fun place to camp, hike or ride ATV's. Whether you go on guys, girls, couples or a family trip it's a perfect place to do so. They do have a camp ground that you have to pay for but they also have other areas where you do not have to pay to camp (I have never camped in the camp ground portion of the park, so I cannot speak for that). The non-camp ground area does NOT have electric hook ups, dump stations, fire pits, grills, tables, pavilions, restrooms or showers. We camp in a big tent and camper but we use a generator (which you are able to use). I prefer the non-camp ground areas to camp because it's secluded, more peaceful, can ride around on ATVs at night, no set "quiet time" but it's still calm enough to where people aren't acting chaotic and we seldom even run into anyone else during the day or night.There are so many different trails to ride or hike on as well as many places to check out (such as the sinkhole, mine shafts and a few different look out points). Make sure to keep an eye on little ones (as well as animals) though and be careful because both the sinkhole & look outs have straight drops that lead really far below. The sinkhole continues to get bigger but makes for great pictures (recommend reading online about how it became a sinkhole). You will have to cross over the highway to get to the other side of the forest to get to the sink hole (just an FYI for safety). Also the lookout has picnic tables to eat at or rest but it overlooks the whole area. The river's current isn't very strong so you cannot kayak but we love just wading in the water. Down some of the trails or roads you can actually see some natural springs with beautiful cold clear water. I have seen people fish along the river but my family never has but one of the men fishing said they were catching some bass and bluegill. I feel like this would be a nature photographer's heaven due to how much area there is to capture (I plan on hiking next time we go and taking some photos with my good camera). We have never had any issues while camping here but town is pretty far away so make sure you have what you need (unless you want to travel like 30 minutes to Lesterville or Centerville). If you need gas, ice or forget something I would recommend going to Lesterville since they have a gas station (that does have some fresh fruit/veggies and ready to eat pizza/chicken tenders) and the town has a dollar general. The camp ground part of the park does have firewood, drinking water & ice that you can buy though (they also have showers & restrooms). Lastly be aware that getting service out there is not the best, it's hit or miss. But who needs a phone when you're camping, my 11 year old barely even noticed the lack of service because she was having so much fun. If you plan on riding ATVs you do have to go into Centerville (courthouse) to get a permit to ride it in the park. I want to say the season pass (good for a whole year) was like $45. Since we go so much it makes sense to get a season pass but I believe they have a single pass that's around $7-10 for each ATV. So all in all I definitely recommend this park and if you go I would at least stay for a couple of days so you're not rushing to check...

Mark Twain National Forest is a lush, breathtakingly beautiful slice of Heaven, right here in the midst of the Missouri Ozark region, mostly the southern half of MO. We take great pride in our clean water that ranges from ice cold water, right from the many springs, to warmer water for all to enjoy. Our parks are beautifully kept, as natural as humanly possible, with amenities in the higher trafficked areas, but we also have areas for those who like to completely rough it when camping. Our parks are peaceful, the fishing is always an adventure and we have some fantastic hiking and mountain bike trails for all ages and all skills. Missouri is quite lucky to have Mark Twain National forest, which covers 1,491,840 acres and was established September 11, 1939. Headquartered in Rolla, MO, MTNF offers large permanent springs, caves, old volcanic mountains and our streams are nationally recognized. So, go ahead, load up the family and come join us in MO for a wonderful and relaxing stay in Mark Twain National Forest. Pets are allowed, but please be considerate of other campers, clean up after your pet, do not go off and leave it and to enjoy the sounds of nature, please keep your pet from causing a disturbance. We are proud of MTNF and would love to share it with responsible and considerate campers, hikers, fishermen and families. Pack up and head to MO. You are quite...

Peaceful & maybe pretty in pictures. Possibly okay during a different season. Rn in person, it rains nearly every day. There are ticks EVERYWHERE CONSTANTLY. The 'roads' (actually more like paths or trails) are brutal-potholes every 5-10 feet-and they are made up of constant curving hills, making it way too easy to get lost. Google maps has incomplete and/or incorrect info about the area, again making getting lost super easy. Of course there's no cell phone service anyway; so be sure to DL the map so that it's available offline BEFORE GOING, bc once you're lost you can't see where you are with Maps & cannot call anyone for help/directions. Plan to drive at least 30 mins if you need gas or food-and it better be before 10pm or you're outta luck in any town nearby. BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some months later, I still live here, unfortunately. My updated review is that no, even in other seasons, this place still sucks!!!! It is now going on 12 months since we moved here, so I can confirm that it sucks year round (I'm happy to report we are moving!!). Winter is brutally cold. It is so dark here you can't see 2 ft in front of you. I had no idea just how dark it gets without the lights of town. The dark gets a little frightening considering the local wildlife includes coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, and...