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Backcountry Camping Registration

Thousand Hills State Park

Important Contact Information

Thousand Hills State Park Office: 660-665-6995

Emergencies: 911

Regulations

Camping is limited to one designated site on Thousand Hills Trail.

Backpackers must register before starting their trip. Camping is free, but registration is required.

Be sure to pack in plenty of water. The closest water source to the backpack camp is roughly one-third of a mile away.

Campfires are prohibited. Stoves must be used for cooking.
Cutting implements such as saws and hatchets are not allowed on the trail.
Permitted camping is only allowed for backpackers at the designated site. Checkout time is 2 p.m. on the day of departure.

Overnight Parking and Trailhead locations

Overnight parking for hikers is allowed at two locations:

The main trailhead within the park (first parking lot on the right after the park office, along Big Loop Trail Road; GPS coordinates: 40.18708, -92.64885)
The Rainbow Basin Trailhead within Big Creek Conservation Area (located at the end of Rainbow Basin Trail Road; GPS coordinates: 40.17050, -92.61782)

Backcountry Camping Permit Form

Register for backcountry camping throughout Thousand Hills State Park using this form.

Comments

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The only trail available for a backcountry camping permit in Thousand Hills State Park. This form is exclusively for permitting backcountry camping along this trail.