I'm looking for somewhere in Missouri that is similar to the BWCA.

I'm also looking for a place to go camping during the winter where I'm away from it all. I'm going to be using my canvas tent and a wooden stove.

Thanks for your help.

*Wooden stove? I meant to type wood burning stove. Ha!

I am from St. Louis: Nothing like the BW in this state of surrounding states as far I know. In winter, most state parks with trails should offer you the solitude you seek if you are willing to pack into the park for some distance. Winter camping is more likely to be your style a nice distance from KC or St. L While I do not know for sure, that travel you do will lead you to solitude.

quote TriTodd:I'm going to be using my canvas tent and a wooden stove.
"

I've never heard of a wooden stove, and doubt it could be trusted.
You might want to try a metal stove, they are tried and true ;-)

I live in the eastern Ozarks region. This time of the year, river camping will certainly get you away from crowds. After deer season, you will rarely see anyone else on the river. I always thought this bluff at Goose Bay on the Current reminded me of the BWCAW?






You will see more wildlife like otters and wintering eagles are pretty common.






Remember in the winter the days are shorter so you need to scale back your plans to leave enough time for making camp. It may get "Dark" a little after 5pm, but the sun is usually below the hills by 4pm.

I think your best bet for MO paddling is the White River and the Buffalo river in northern ARK. Some outstanding paddling there, with no portages.

As low as the water is right now there will be some very short portages or pull throughs... On the Buffalo, the White is a different animal since below the dam it is regulated flow, with generally plenty of water to float, but more private land along the White, it is harder to find camping spots...

Bruce

quote TriTodd: "I'm looking for somewhere in Missouri that is similar to the BWCA.

I'm also looking for a place to go camping during the winter where I'm away from it all. I'm going to be using my canvas tent and a wooden stove.

Thanks for your help."

I have lived in Missouri for 65 of my 68 years, and used to camp and hike quite a bit. There is an interesting and remote area off Hwy 8 in southern Missouri in the Mark Twain National Forest. It is named the Berryman Trail - a 24 mile loop with a campground about 13 miles from the trailhead if you go clockwise. If you have filter, you have some opportunities to get water with creeks and such, and of course the campground. I've done the trail twice, both times in one full day.
Good luck finding what you want.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/missouri/berryman-trail

quote BuckFlicks: "I think your best bet for MO paddling is the White River and the Buffalo river in northern ARK. Some outstanding paddling there, with no portages. "

The Buffalo IS beautiful but more rain dependent. I've found that with the Buff you're often wishing for more or praying it stops before it floods? But a trip through the lower Buffalo Wilderness will definitely net you BWCAW-like soltitude, especially this time of the year. I "Second" BuckFlick's recommendation as a wilderness paddle.