U.S. Forest Service · Mark Twain National Forest · Rolla, MO

Lane Spring Recreation Area

Lane Spring Recreation Area provides a peaceful setting along Little Piney Creek and a scenic patio overlooking beautiful Lane Spring. A large, accessible picnic area with two pavilions can be reserved. The site has multiple first come first serve campsites if an overnight stay is desired. A variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are in the area.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: electric hookups in Missouri · first-come in Missouri · reservable in Missouri · pets allowed in Missouri · group sites in Missouri

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Benches at the edge of a concrete pathway with a view of Lane Spring and green vegatation in the backgroundA open campsite with fire grill, picnic table, and rock barriers in the foreground and green vegatation background.A view of an open sided pavilion with picnic tables, pedestal BBQ grill, and benches with a background of green vegetation.A view of Little Piney Creek, waterway in front with green vegatation in the background
Photos courtesy of USDA Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric10
Standard, no hookups8
Group sites3
group picnic area2
Host/management2
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

23 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeSurfaceShadePowerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesAccessible
Dogwood PavilionDGWPGroup Picnic AreaPavedFull15 ampRiverfront100 / 38Yes
01Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
02Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
03Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
04Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
05Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
06Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
07Loop AElectricPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
08Loop AStandardPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes
09Loop AStandardPavedFull15 ampRiverfront8 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 7:00 AM, checkout 9:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric
PetsAllowed
AccessibilitySites Dogwood Pavilion, 01, 02, 03 and 21 more are listed accessible

The recreation area offers a picnic area with two group picnic pavilions, each equipped with tables, grills and electric outlets. Each can accommodate up to 100 people. If unreserved, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each pavillion has 10-20 parking spots with handicap accessible paths to pavillions. These parking spots are not reservable, however there are additional parking spaces that have access to the spring. Additional individual picnic sites are available near the spring. Several family campsites are available as well. Each site is equipped with a table, lantern post and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
SeasonMarch 1 to October 31
ForestMark Twain National Forest
BookingReservation needed for the group picnic pavilion - The pavilion is first come, first served if it's not already reserved.
FeesPayment is by cash or check only, no credit cards are accepted at the recreation area. Camping $15 per single. $25 per single electric. $30 per double. Day Use Per car: $5/day. Per bus: $10/day. Group Picnic Pavilion:$50 per day (100 people max).
RulesCampers required to check-in with on-site host upon arrival and to pick up fee envelope if the site was not reserved online. Campground: Fees will be paid at the fee tube provided. Fireworks are prohibited. Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas. No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites).

Mark Twain National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lane Spring Recreation Area30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 2.73 inches of precipitation, 5.6 inches of snowFebruary: 2.49 inches of precipitation, 4.1 inches of snowMarch: 4.14 inches of precipitation, 2.6 inches of snowApril: 4.90 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowMay: 5.48 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.37 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.74 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 4.52 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 4.00 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.26 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 3.92 inches of precipitation, 1.3 inches of snowDecember: 2.83 inches of precipitation, 3.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 31.7°F averageFebruary: 36.1°F averageMarch: 45.4°F averageApril: 56.3°F averageMay: 65.8°F averageJune: 74.3°F averageJuly: 78.8°F averageAugust: 77.6°F averageSeptember: 69.6°F averageOctober: 58.2°F averageNovember: 46.0°F averageDecember: 36.0°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Rolla Missouri S&T, 12 miles from the campground at 1,173 feet, station USC00237263 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 17 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, March 1 to October 31.

Getting there

From Rolla, Missouri, travel 12 miles south on U.S. Highway 63, then continue 1 mile west on Entrance Road.

Nearest townRolla, Missouri
Coordinates37.7931° N, 91.8361° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗25 mi
Outdoor gearOzark Outdoors ↗38.3 mi
RV sales & serviceBourbon RV ↗40.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

video review Lane spring recreation area and campground outside of Rolla Missouri

  • 0.1 mi
    Blossom Rock
    1.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.4 mi
    Cedar Bluff Trail
    1.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 4.2 mi
    Kaintuck Trail Yellow ↗
    5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.6 mi
    South East Trailhead Spur
    0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.7 mi
    Kaintuck Trail Orange
    3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.7 mi
    Kaintuck Trail South Red
    1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The recreation area is situated along Little Piney Creek, with some waterfront campsites available. A beautiful hardwood forest covers the area, which lies in the northwestern portion of the Mark Twain National Forest. An accessible shaded stone patio overlooks tranquil Lane Spring, a bubbling spring with watercress and native plant species. It is bordered by a variety of trees, including sycamore, cypress, oak and many others.

Recreation

Trout fishing is popular along the portion of the creek nearest Lane Spring, as it is managed by a wild trout fishery. The fish population is self-sustained instead of being stocked. Only artificial lures and flies may be used, and a daily limit is applied of one trout measuring 18 inches or longer. Bass and sunfish are also plentiful. The 1.25-mile Blossom Rock Trail and the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail traverse through lush bottomland vegetation with abundant wildflowers, before climbing to views of the river and rock outcroppings. Birding and wildlife viewing is popular along the trails.

Guidebooks for Missouri

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping - Missouri and the Ozarks
    Steve Henry, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-trails Iowa & Missouri
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • The Ozarks: 43 spectacular hikes in Arkansas and Missouri
    Jim Warnock, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Payment is by cash or check only, no credit cards are accepted at the recreation area. Camping $15 per single. $25 per single electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Check-in 7:00 AM, checkout 9:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Lane Spring Recreation Area open right now?

Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season March 1 to October 31.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Lane Spring Recreation Area have?

25 sites, including 10 standard sites with power, 8 standard sites without power, 3 group sites, and 2 group picnic area.

Source: Recreation.gov

Does Lane Spring Recreation Area have hookups?

Yes, electric hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lane Spring Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Sites Dogwood Pavilion, 01, 02, and 03 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 25 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Trout fishing is popular along the portion of the creek nearest Lane Spring, as it is managed by a wild trout fishery. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Lane Spring Recreation Area?

Rolla, Missouri.

Source: Getting there

What if Lane Spring Recreation Area is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Paddy Creek Campground (20 mi, first-come), Akers (31.9 mi), and Red Bluff Campground (36.6 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby