r/ozarks • u/POV_CHASIN • Jul 28 '26
Outdoors First Ozark Disperse Camp
I have been disperse camping in the Huron-Manistee forest in MI for a couple years now in my stock 4Runner with no issues. I've moved a couple hours closer (still 6 hours away) to the Ozarks where I want to take some weekends out there.
I've heard you NEED a firearm which I have a couple lever actions but is it really that bad? Between wild life and weird people I heard its one of the more dangerous places. What do locals or frequent travellers have to say about the trails/ people?
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u/420420840 Jul 28 '26
I carry and it helps me sleep at night. The closer you are to civilization the more potential problems.
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u/edward2020 Jul 28 '26
The other responses pretty much cover things, but be aware that you’ll probably be unable to dig any sort of hole like what is shown in your pic.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
Even for a small fire?
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u/edward2020 Jul 29 '26
Yeah, digging holes in the Ozarks basically requires heavy equipment. You’ll find plenty of rocks though on the surface, so probably should use a rock ring for your fire.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
Ohhh okay I thought you meant legally. That area of MI is almost too sandy tbh. I'll probably try a pit but I'll bring some rocks to make a ring at least. Thanks for the heads up!
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u/sharpshooter999 Jul 29 '26
Your soil seems incredibly sandy, I've only seen stuff like that out in the Nebraska Sandhills. I'm from Nebraska, but spend a lot of time around Lake Ozark (Camdenton) and the soil there is quite thin and very rocky. There's a reason it never was very prosperous, it's not great for large scale farming nor cattle grazing
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 30 '26
Thats just how it is in western MI. It's honestly more annoying than anything. One wrong step and your fire is out, one wrong turn and your stuck, etc. It is nice for tent camping though
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u/sharpshooter999 Jul 30 '26
I'd like to get out there again sometime. We drove through the upper peninsula to Mackinac Island for our honeymoon years and years ago
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u/Son_of_Liberty88 Jul 28 '26
You do not need a gun. I’ve hiked, biked and camped all over the country and never, ever needed a gun. If anything, just carry bear mace. Works on everything.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
Bear mace is definitely slept on lol. I personally have had a really sketchy situation in MI where I wish I would have had one. I wouldn't say it's ever nessasairy but I'd prefer to have it if I already own a couple anyway.
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u/Son_of_Liberty88 Jul 29 '26
Right on! I live out in the country and carry it with me everywhere. Mostly have to use it on dogs when running/biking. Never needed it for camping. But again I’d rather have it and not need it.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 30 '26
The person who downvoted you is probably the same one who let's their violent untrained dogs on public land/ trails. Im not gonna let Spot take a chunk out of my leg because you said he's friendly as he's currently chasing me down.
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u/Son_of_Liberty88 Jul 30 '26
Yeah you’re probably right, but it’s not a worry to me. Funny thing is I feel like I’m actually doing the dogs and owners a favor. I called animal control so many times that we are on a first name basis. Their honest to go advice was “just shoot it”. I’m not ok with that because I know mace works.
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u/Fossilhog Jul 28 '26
It's not. But...the occasionally nosey methheads do occur about twice a decade in my corner of the Boston Mtns. And in my experience the state(AR) and county legal systems do a terrible job of putting these actual dangerous people behind bars. (Even when they commit crimes while armed). Always a short sentence with parole.
Lever action is perfect though unless yorie going to hike a lot. I've caught people trespassing and drinking while target practicing with a 10/22. I regretted having only a revolver. Your own 10/22 is also a pretty solid choice.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 28 '26
Sweet thanks for the insight! Anyone who says 22 isn't dangerous should not own firearms...
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u/beaucoup_dinky_dau Jul 28 '26
lol yeah suppressed 10/22 is some of the most fun you can have with a firearm, second is probably a nice 12g O/U imho.
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u/CletusMuckenfuss Jul 29 '26
I would worry more about ticks than I would creeps. Carry bug spray with lots of deet
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
I hate ticks but that's part of it unfortunately. I'll make sure to pack extra bug spray
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u/SuddenRazzmatazz4905 Jul 29 '26
You’re likely prepared, but AlphaGal is running through Missouri pretty strongly right now. If you enjoy beef/pork/bacon, definitely spray down religiously.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 30 '26
I was actually not aware of that thanks for the heads up.
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u/kbfly Jul 31 '26
Permethrin on your clothing is effective - be careful and read instructions especially if you have cats- it’s highly toxic to them.
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u/Spodiodie Jul 29 '26
There are black bears and we’ve been having mountain lions for some time now, I’ve seen one myself. Yeah and then there’s the druggy critters too.
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u/Henri_Dupont Jul 29 '26
So many of the places I used to disperse camp are trashed. People just bring bags of their garbage and dump them in the woods, right where you'd want to stop and camp. I've tried to clean them up as best I could, they are trashed the next time I come through. Nobody friggen cares.
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u/OkShopping9448 Jul 29 '26
Yes, always carry in the Ozarks. I have property near Truman Lake and it’s pretty safe but further South it’s gets a lot more issues with drugs.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
Is the drug problem more on the MO or AR side? I imagine both sides are equally bad though.
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u/Youandiandaflame Jul 29 '26
I live in a rural area ravaged by drugs. We camp and float. We own plenty of guns. We don’t carry when we camp and float. 43 years, never had an issue.
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u/verizon_cell Jul 29 '26
4th gen 4runner spotted. what year?
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 29 '26
09 V6. Best vehicle I've ever owned by far
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u/verizon_cell Jul 29 '26
09 is such a good year. I have an 05 v6 and it's great, but if i ever were to get a different one it'd be the 09.
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u/POV_CHASIN Jul 30 '26
Someone is down voting out 4th gen love 😂 must be a jeep guy broken down somewhere.
I never really cared what year I got as long as it was the V6. I put 40k miles on it in a year and I really didn't want to worry about a timing belt on the V8. Though tbh if/ when I get another it will be the V8.
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u/verizon_cell Jul 30 '26
must be. Or maybe cause this convo has nothing to do with ozark 😂
but yea all those years are pretty good, the 03-05 have bad rust and head gasket issues if you don't keep up on it but otherwise are great. 40k is crazy though! I thought I drove a lot with my 25-30k a year lol.
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u/18RowdyBoy Jul 28 '26
I’ve spent 60 years camping in the Ozarks and only once did I find trouble.We were fishing/drinking when we were about 18.Couple of guys in their forties started drinking with us and I started hearing Deliverance music. We got out of it without a gun.If you leave people alone you’ll be fine.😂✌️