Spring River Park | Informal Campsite

October 17th, 2023 by Travelingvan

We called the local police in Carthage to ask if overnight parking is permitted at this location. They were clear that parking after the park closes at 11 or 12 is not allowed. Though others have recently stayed there without a problem, it may simply be that some police enforce the local rules more or less than others.

October 15th, 2023 by mcervin3

This was nice until 2:30 AM when some youths decided to bang on the side of our van and speed off in their car. Skip this spot.

September 8th, 2023 by 2marmosetsautourdumonde

Amazing spot by the river. Locals come to swim, fish and just chill here. We came around 3pm and left the next morning at noon. We saw cops driving by around midnight to patrol the park. No one bothered us at anytime. Very great to walk the dog and have him off leash when no one is around. Would love to stay longer !

August 9th, 2023 by joshua.deuermeyer

In a van down by the river! This is a quite little place once the local crowds left. As previously described there is lots of spaces in the park and by the river.

June 2nd, 2023 by abertrand260

great spot lot of family and teen just soaking in that river. city worker came and saw my slider open on my 24 ft rv and no one said anything. dog was happy into the water

June 1st, 2023 by AI4KK

awesome place, nobody bothers. couple of kids rode through on electric scooters about three in the morning but stayed away from us, gentleman came down around 8:00 this morning and just sat on the bridge reading. cops pulled through a couple times and waved. One of my new favorite places to stay

June 1st, 2023 by AI4KK

This place is amazing, probably one of my favorite all-time campsites, right up there with the Douglas Fir campground in the Cascades mountains.
simply beautiful, the white noise is the best sleep aid ever. couple of kids Road through around 1:00 in the morning on electric scooters but stayed away from us, cops drove through with no problem. gentleman showed up around 8:00 a.m. and has been sitting out on the dam reading a book. other than that have not seen anybody and can barely hear even the big trucks crossing the bridge.
dogs have been off leash most of the time since I have a wireless containment system that keeps them within 60 to 70 ft of my car, they've been loving the creek and the beach.

June 1st, 2023 by AI4KK

This place was awesome, one of my new favorite places to sleep. Nobody bothered us all night, couple of kids wrote through about 2:00 in the morning on electric scooters that stayed away from us. Cops pull through a couple times and waved at us. Gentlemen showed up about 8:00 in the morning and sat on the dam reading a book. Otherwise we had the place to ourselves.

September 10th, 2022 by R.T. Van Go

Stayed one night. No signs forbidding overnighting there. If you stay next to the river, on the gravel, near our under the highway bridge, expect some road noise and visitors throughout the night. You know, that sounds of gravel crunching as someone drives, and parks, next to you. No parties or overly loud people, but you may hear the crunching during the night.

September 4th, 2022 by wilmotb

Police knocked at 1:30 AM saying there is no overnight parking as all parks close at midnight. Please do not stay here as they have told this to multiple people who have used Overlander!

June 21st, 2022 by suzannewentley

What bliss! Nice swimming and fishing, peaceful spot except for some pugnacious locals … mostly local families enjoying this place. Plenty of space for all rigs, I stayed by the lake and was not bothered for almost a week. Wish there was a potable water source! Sweet, small farmer’s market on Saturdays in town plus a good supermercado. Grateful for the respite of this town, thanks to the OP.

June 3rd, 2022 by sophie-campbell

A really lovely spot. We arrived late after a double feature at the 66 drive in but had a long lazy morning enjoying the water the next morning. Humphrey spent his 6th birthday swimming and enjoying a break from the drive

June 29th, 2021 by @feralEXPRESS

its open.
really nice park.
we wanted to camp under the bridge but we were on a flash flood warning so we camped up by the old bridge.

April 10th, 2021 by alvanture.com

It was a very well lit, albeit flooded, parking lot that worked fine until around midnight when an officer circled my vehicle and loudly read out my license plate a few times before leaving.

November 18th, 2020 by instagram.com/lenomadevan

I can’t believe no one has posted this place yet! It’s amazing! I’d pay a 5 stars hotel fee to sleep here. It’s FREE! It’s right by the river, the white water is pretty loud and very relaxing! It’s near the road but you can’t hear it from how loud the rushing water is.

I walked around the park and didn’t see any sign prohibiting sleeping in the park. No signs whatsoever. A police officer drove by and didn’t come near me. I also asked a few locals that were fishing and they said yeah it would be fine to park overnight. No one bothered me. It seems to be a popular fishing spot for locals. After sunset I was the only one in the park.
I slept like a baby to the sound of rushing water.

There are plenty of designated parking spots and some on grass. Big rigs can easily fit.
Also a cool thing is that it’s located on historic Route 66. Love it!

Oh and great cell reception. 4 bars LTE.