We went there for the first time last September. Food was very good, but didn't care for eating on plastic plates with plastic utensils. This create a lot trash and I felt this was wasteful and not so good for the environment. Prefer Big Creek's dining experience better by eating on glass dishes and metal utensils. However, 4-Js cafeteria is air conditioned. The fluff salads are too die for. :)

Stalls are somewhat small and average around 8x10 and depending on which barn you are in, you'll need to bring a dog collar or stud chain to fasten the metal tubular stall gates. The lower portion of the camp can flood, but we camped by the arena and had no issues - just some soft ground.

Not as many trails as Big Creek, but nice riding trails and I thought they were easier than some other Missouri trail destinations. None of the trails are marked, so bring a GPS. Also since the inland hurricane in 2008, quite a few trails still have debris that you will need to navigate.

4-J offers some sort of entertainment every evening if you are in to that sort of thing. We like to sit by the campfire so next time we visit we will try to request a campsite away from the arena as this is where the dances and bands play.

Our favorite trail was going to Cabbage Patch. Very beautiful scenary and spectacular overlooks of the river valley. Folks were very friendly in the campground and provided info about trails. Some folks have old trail maps of the area, but the storm has changed the location of quite a few trails so we didn't find the maps very useful.

All in all we had a nice camping experience and will return.

This will be my 15th year going to the 4J and in the last couple of years, I rode with some different people and rode trails I hadn't rode before.  There's lots of trails to be found and I know because of the trees down, new ones have been made.

The campground is newer having been built I think in the last 7-8 years.  Most of the camp sits on higher ground and after Arkansas, I appreciate more knowing the Laughlin family is on the phone checking the rain farther up stream and staying up during the night to watch the river. 

I love the setting, trails and high bluffs. They're known for Betty's great home cooking.  If I don't go walking, I'll come home a few pounds heavier.  People are friendly and I know if I'd need help, someone would be there.

It'd be worth trying sometime. I'd be surprised if you'd be disappointed.  The weather will be your biggest challenge now.  Not much riding going on in my area, rain, rain, and more rain.