USDA Forest Service · Missouri
Cobb Ridge
USDA Forest Service · Missouri, United States
- Sites
- 49
- Hookups
- 28 electric, 17 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,385 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- COBB RIDGE RECREATION AREA (NFSR 559) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Mark Twain National Forest
- Nearest town
- Ava
- Address
- USDA FOREST SERVICE, Ava, MO, 65608
- Phone
- 417-683-4428
- Activities
- Camping, Mountain Biking
45 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Cobb Ridge Campground is adjacent to the Chadwick Riding area, which is popular among and off-road vehicles (dirt bikes; ATVs and side by sides 50 inches or less) enthusiasts. Numerous trails provide nearly 80 miles of interconnecting loops that vary from easy to difficult terrain, winding in and out of deep, forested hollows and down long ridge tops.
Family and group camping is available, providing access to Missouri's beautiful Mark Twain National Forest.
Recreation
Visitors to the area mostly come for the plentiful off-road vehicle trails (motorcycle; ATVs and side by sides 50 inches or less). Some trail segments are very rocky, steep, rough, rutted and are technically challenging, while others that don't drain well have been built up with concrete. Hiking on the trails is also permissible but requires caution. If using the trails, you will need a Chadwick riding permit - they are available at our District office; Casey's General Store in Sparta, MO. Cost is $60 for an annual; $10/day for motorcycles, ATVs and side by sides. $3 for mountain bike. You will need make/model and VIN# of vehicle along with rider information. The permit is valid for the machine and cannot be transferred.
Facilities
The Cobb Ridge Campground provides a variety of campsite sizes, styles, development and locations. Single, double and triple camp units are designed to accommodate groups of various sizes. Campsites include traditional back-in units and easily maneuvered pull-through units; some with electrical hookups and others with only basic facilities. Tent camping is also an option. At each electric site, there are 30 and 50 amp service along with a 110 outlet.
Most sites are fairly private, but some are close together and open enough to promote visiting between other camps. Additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When available, an on-site host is at the campground.
The sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Flush toilets, vault toilets, and showers are provided. Hydrants are located throughout campground for all campers to use - no individual water hookups available. Trash collection facilities are provided.
Natural Features
The Chadwick area is mostly forested with oak, hickory and pine woods on rocky ridge tops, with a few small open forest glades. Steep ridges break into narrow hollows with scattered surface rock and occasional rock ledges and patches of eastern red cedar.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is 30 miles from Springfield, Branson, Silver Dollar City and Shepherd of the Hills attractions. Lake Taneycomo is 20 miles south of Cobb Ridge.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 27° | 2° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 50° | 29° | -14° | 73° | 9 of 11 |
| March | 58° | 40° | 17° | 78° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 70° | 48° | 31° | 85° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 60° | 44° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 87° | 67° | 54° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 70° | 64° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 86° | 69° | 57° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 65° | 52° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 68° | 48° | 31° | 83° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 59° | 40° | 16° | 76° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 49° | 33° | 13° | 71° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Shadow Rock Park & Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi · 110 sites
- River Run Park · Army Corps of Engineers · 15 mi · 32 sites
- Beaver Creek (Mo) · Army Corps of Engineers · 18 mi · 34 sites
- Branson Lakeside RV Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 19 mi · 165 sites
- Indian Point · Army Corps of Engineers · 23 mi · 84 sites
All public campgrounds in Missouri · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-22. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.