USDA Forest Service · Missouri
Deer Leap Campground
USDA Forest Service · Missouri, United States
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 384 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- DEER LEAP REC AREA SPUR B (NFSR 4349B) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Nearest town
- Doniphan, MO
About
US Forest Service campground. The Deer Leap Recreation Area is situated on the east bank of the Current River, this site is not one of the busier campgrounds; so is often a great place to get away from the crowds. Expect some activity of outfitter-guides utilizing the non-motorized launch in the campground, though. Deer Leap provides primitive camping, a boat launch and floater access/tuber launch. When you veer off the road, the boat launch is a short 80 yards from the Y. When you head to the campground, the road follows the river for a short distance before entering a stand of pines. The campground is shady and quiet. There is a busy canoe/tubing launch in the center of the campground. This campground is good for visitors who like a little privacy while camping. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Fees
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $12 per night
Double Site: $20 per night
Day Use:
$3 per vehicle per day
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 30° | 9° | 68° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 49° | 32° | -6° | 75° | 9 of 11 |
| March | 62° | 43° | 22° | 81° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 71° | 50° | 31° | 86° | 1 of 11 |
| May | 79° | 63° | 46° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 87° | 69° | 56° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 90° | 73° | 64° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 88° | 73° | 63° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 86° | 68° | 53° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 70° | 51° | 36° | 84° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 60° | 42° | 18° | 78° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 49° | 35° | 16° | 69° | 9 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
- Float Camp Picnic Area · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Pinewoods Lake Rec Area · USDA Forest Service · 18 mi · 16 sites
- Big Spring · National Park Service · 21 mi · 137 sites
- Watercress · USDA Forest Service · 24 mi · 19 sites
- Greer Crossing Campground · USDA Forest Service · 26 mi
All public campgrounds in Missouri · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-06. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.