Missouri River Valley

500–1,200 ft · MO🚗 Directions

Rich bottomland hardwoods along the Missouri River corridor. Cottonwood, elm, and ash dominate floodplains. Dead and dying elms are morel magnets. Easy access from Columbia and Jefferson City. Morels emerge early here due to low elevation and river-warmed soils.

Trees:Cottonwood American Elm Sycamore

Updated Apr 13, 6:45 PM

Foraging Potential80/100

❌Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

0.70"

Precip 14d

1.40"

Soil Temp

66°F

SWE

Snow Water Equivalent — how much water is in the snowpack vs. normal. Declining SWE means snowmelt is adding moisture to the soil.

Drought

None

Snowmelt

complete

Viable Species

MODERATE

True Morel

moisture marginal

Limiting Factors

Insufficient moisture

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Nearby Camping

Pine Ridge Recreation Area

developed

USFS~5.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Mark Twain National Forest

Reserve →

Dry Fork Recreation Area

developed

USFS~7.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Mark Twain National Forest

Reserve →

Hart Creek Conservation Area

backcountry

~7.4 mi from center

Cooper's Landing South Campground

developed

~12.7 mi from center

Cooper's Landing North Campground

developed

~12.8 mi from center

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Special Use Area

developed

~13 mi from center

Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

developed

~17.3 mi from center

City of Chamois

developed

~23.1 mi from center

Camp Hickory Hill

developed

~24.9 mi from center

Rivers Edge RV Park and Campground

developed

~26.1 mi from center

MRVSEA Campground

developed

Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association~26.7 mi from center

Finger Lakes State Park Campground

developed

~28.6 mi from center

Graham Cave State Park Campground

developed

~36.3 mi from center

Katy Roundhouse CG

developed

~36.6 mi from center

Hickory Ridge Campground

developed

~37.5 mi from centerFee required/night

watertoiletelectric hookup

Reserve →

Hermann City Park Campground

developed

City of Hermann~40.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Hermann City Park Campground

developed

City of Hermann~40.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Hermann Campground - gravel lot section

developed

City of Hermann~41 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Jacob's Cave Meadowlands

developed

~42.3 mi from center

Camp Sabra

developed

~43.4 mi from center

Reserve →

Backpack Camp

backcountry

~45.4 mi from center

Arrow Rock Campground

developed

~47.2 mi from center

Lake of The Ozarks State Park Section 1 Campsite

developed

~47.6 mi from center

Lake of The Ozarks State Park Section 2 Campsite

developed

~47.8 mi from center

Lake of The Ozarks State Park Section 3 Campsite

developed

~47.9 mi from center

Lake of The Ozarks State Park Section 4 Campsite

developed

~48 mi from center

Jonesburg Gardens Campground

developed

~49.1 mi from center

The Riviera RV Resort

developed

~49.4 mi from center

Reserve →

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.