Camping in Missouri: Best Missouri Campgrounds 2024

Missouri’s natural landscapes are as entertaining as its fun-loving cities.

94% (6134 reviews)

United States
—
Missouri
See Also
37 Best Places To Go Camping in Missouri - Beyond The Tent The 6 Best Tent Campgrounds in Missouri [November 2018] | OC Tent Camping in Missouri: 50+ Best Places to Camp Best Tent Camping In Missouri: 6 Free Campgrounds & 13 Sites

94% (6134 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Missouri

12 top campgrounds in Missouri

94%(1603)Spring Lake Ranch38 sites · RVs, Tents101 acres · Potosi, MOSpring Lake Ranch boasts countless trails and lake activities. Formerly known as Sayersbrook Bison ranch, at one time it was one of the largest Bison ranches in the world.This property is filled with amazing things to see and explore. Nothing like it in Missouri. Lake is 60+ acres and is spring fed. Amazing fishing, swimming and kayaking. We are pet friendly. You will have amazing lake views and will be close to hiking trails, horseback riding, and wine tasting at Edge Cliff Wineries which is next door to us. The beautiful shower house is super clean, has restrooms and hot showers and it is within walking distance. Firewood and ice are available to purchase; kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent. If you forget something at home stop by our little country store, we might have it! :)The sites are about 20 ft from each other - if you are looking for more privacy please check out the secluded site or the peninsula. PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$24.99/ night99%(138)Howler Bike Park Stays26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents180 acres · MOWelcome to Howler--the Midwest's Premier Mountain Bike Park! Hospitality means everything to us and we would be honored to have you as a guest on our downhill trails or a guest to the Ozark Mountains looking for a great place to stay--or both! We think we've got some surprises in store for you when you get here. You'll find us located just off Highway 65 in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. We're seven minutes from Branson, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the Midwest, but take the five-minute ride or walk down to Base Camp and you'll feel miles away from it all.Howler is imagined, designed, and maintained by riders who love our unique terrain and wanted to pull the best from it. Our trails are built with all skill levels in mind with a clear goal of rider progression. But Howler Bike Park Stays isn't just for riders! We've got all kinds of things to do for riders and non-riders alike!Start your day in Base Camp, the hub of activity at Howler. If you need a caffeine kick to get you started, we've got you covered with a specialty coffee drink, blended, or smoothie at Howler Coffee Shop! And, Chef Dustin is now serving breakfast with three delicious options to power you up for your day! Around noon and throughout the day, you can enjoy Chef's insanely-delicious food at the Growl Grill. Stop in the Welcome Center for bike passes, Howler merch, and bike gear. Are you shredding with us and need a new tube or tire change? We have got you taken care of in Howler Bike Co. next to the Welcome Center. We have beer and wine available at the Growl Grill, and you’re welcome to take your purchases to your tent to enjoy!New in Spring 2023, is our Skills Park and our Children's Play Area-complete with a mini pump track for Stryders or small bikes--and a beautiful cedar swing set! We also have a mile round trip Hiking Trail through the woods where you can see glimpses of riders shredding the mountain trails. Feel like a break at the top of the hike? We've got a picnic table so you can enjoy the scenery and eat some mouth-watering food from the Growl Grill!We also have our all-new bathrooms and showers, complete with shampoo/body wash and hair dryers. And you can keep all your necessary items near you while you ride with our all-new lockers. They're free and you only need to enter a four-digit code of your choosing to use them.PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$15/ night99%(415)Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors30 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres · Saint Clair, MOHummingbird Hollow Outdoors is a not for profit Farm Animal Sanctuary. You will be able to camp with the horses, goats, potbellied pigs and more. We open up our farm so that people can enjoy the outdoors, animals and nature, and the animals can enjoy people! We are a sanctuary for all creatures on earth, including humans."Today, whatever is good for your soul, do that."PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$25/ night98%(330)Four Creeks Campground19 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · Ellington, MOThree crystal clear creeks to swim, wade, hunt rocks, or just relax. We have several tent sites right on the creeks and RV sites close for just a short walk for swimming fun.Right on miles of ATV, OHV, SxSs or hiking trails. Close to the Black River and the Current for floating, Kayaking or fishing. Clearwater Lake for boat rentals or Jet skies. Sites to see, Blue Springs, Big Springs Johnson Shut Inns, Elephant Rock, Rocky Falls, and many state parks to explore.We are also only three miles from the town of Ellington, MO for your shopping needs, several restaurants and antiquing.PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$20/ night98%(124)Riverbend RV Park and Campground15 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · Macks Creek, MOOur small owner operated campground sits high above the Niangua River. Situated below Tunnel Dam and the locally famous Whistle, we have 250’ of Big Niangua River frontage. We offer several full hook-up RV spots and ultra secluded primitive spots and anything in between. We have a bathroom/shower house for campers’ convenience.PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$25/ night100%(19)Ozarks Piney Bend Riverfront7 sites · Lodging, Tents7 acres · Dixon, MOExperience the Missouri Ozarks in all it's glory! Our property sits on 7 acres running on both sides of the beautiful, crystal clear Big Piney River. We sit right at the bottom of a beautiful bluff right along the banks of the river! We have a dry cabin, with outdoor water, bathroom and cedar shower house. We have a fully stocked new camper with everything you'll need for up to 6 people, including ice cold A/C! We also own a large beautiful sand bar on the Big Piney River perfect for setting up your tent or hammock camping (only accessible by swimming or kayak, which we can provide for a fee)PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$40/ night99%(528)Selby Farm Horse Retirement10 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Wooldridge, MOSummary:Easy access from I-70Great views. Usually very quiet except for wildlife soundsPortapottie at both camping areasGreat star viewing. Excellent conditions for petsHosts live nearby and are good communicators via text or phone.Hosts can direct you to several local attractions and shopping options.Hosts are happy to take questions before, during, or after your stay.Narrative about Selby Farm:Selbys have lived on this 75 acre farm since 1990. Doug and Brenda are retired from teaching at nearby public schools. Our Farm is now dedicated to boarding retired horses for their owners. Feel free to review the Selby Farm Horse Retirement webpage if you are a horse fan.We encourage you to visit our business website where you will see more farm pictures, videos, and where you will learn more about us. We practice rotational grazing for the health of the horses and the health of our pastures. The horses live in a herd as they would in the wild. Basically, they are hanging out with their friends! They also get regular care and feed and so are VERY happy. You will see and probably interact with the horses if you wish. They are guaranteed to come closer if you have treats like carrots and apples slices.Our quiet county road used to be the main road along the river. A hundred years ago it was called "Shanty Road". The shacks that were along it housed workers that harvested food from farms in the river bottom. The only evidence of those shacks now is perrenial flowers growing in unusual places. The area is inhabited by professionals working in nearby towns and cities. In fact there are only five homes along our 1.5 mile section of Copps Chapel Road.The native Americans who used this area did so because of the great diversity of wildlife and availability of water. Also the view is amazing in all directions. Was using this ridge top encampment for security, or just because the view is so satisfying?The Missouri River is on the far side of the bottoms now, but has been very close historically. There is also a large spring flowing from a cave nearby. Witness the flint chips when you walk through our barn lot. You are likely to see a broken stone tool that was once worked on by a native American. These river hills are composed of soils blown in from the end of the last ice age. Being near the river, erosion has cut down the surrounding area making the scenic topography associated with Missouri River valleys and river hills.PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresTrashfrom$23.50/ night99%(36)Hawks Bluff Campground56 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents460 acres · Tiff, MOEscape the city! We have a very special property that nourishes the soul and provides space to roam and breathe fresh air. We have 460 acres to explore. A beautiful creek running through our property. We have cows, mules, goats, dogs and cats. We are on a bluff so if you are rock hunters you have come to the right place. We offer rock hunting. and we have extra buckets. We have the best Drusy (lots of colors), Crazy Lace Agate, Calcite, Chalcedony, Quartz, Chert, Barite, Bladed Barite, Iron Ores and more. Check us out on Facebook Hawks Bluff Farm Rocks and Drusy. We have firewood, ice, eggs, ground beef, propane exchange and new propane tanks available.Ask us about our kayaking options! PetsPotable waterToiletsCampfiresShowersfrom$25/ night100%(39)Wildflower Camp, Hike + Swim5 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Eldon, MOWe have a 60 acre property with plenty of space to explore. There’s a well maintained walking trail and a year-round creek that runs through the valley. Our pond is perfect for swimming or paddling around in one of our canoes. If you're feeling adventurous, hike along the creek to a beautiful waterfall.PetsPotable waterCampfiresfrom$50/ night

Camping in Missouri guide

Overview

Whether road-tripping along part of the historic Route 66, vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks, or following in the footsteps of homegrown hero Mark Twain—Missouri is made for traveling. From Kansas City to St Louis, you’re never far from a state park—there are 38 to choose from—while the vast Mark Twain National Forest encompasses 1.5-million acres spread across seven different wilderness areas. Plan your camping trip from May through October to make the most of the forests, lakes, and wilderness areas, or cozy up in an RV through the snowy winter months.

Where to go

North Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri’s largest city, is best known for its jazz scene and BBQ restaurants, but there are also plenty of natural attractions to explore in the north. Head to nearby Weston Bend State Park to camp along the Missouri River, or go biking and horseback riding along the multi-use trails of Crowder State Park. Over on the eastern state border, Wakonda State Park has six lakes to choose from, while the Mark Twain State Park has family campgrounds in the Salt River Hills.

Central Missouri

State capital Jefferson City lies at the heart of Missouri, and just to the north, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park provides tranquil camping amid a backdrop of natural caves, streams, and woodlands. Summer campers flock to the Lake of the Ozarks region, where the huge reservoir is fringed with sandy beaches, golf courses, and restaurants. If you tire of the Ozarks camping resorts, Bennett Spring State Park makes a worthy alternative, renowned for its trout fishing.

St Louis and Southeast Missouri

At the meeting point of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, St Louis is home to one of Missouri’s most visited attractions, the Gateway Arch National Park. Nearby, hikers can enjoy full-amenity camping at Meramec River State Park, while Castlewood State Park is renowned for its mountain biking trails, and Sam A Baker State Park is one of the region’s most visited. Alternatively, escape to the wilderness of the Mark Twain National Forest, where you can choose between tent/RV sites, cabins, or dispersed camping in the woods.

Southwest Missouri

Bordered by Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, the southwest is Missouri’s wild frontier. Venture into the Mark Twain National Forest to enjoy backcountry camping in the wilderness, rev up your OHV and tackle the off-road trails of St Joe State Park, or fish for rainbow trout in the stocked waters of Roaring River State Park. Finally, don’t miss the hike to Grand Falls. The 163-foot wide waterfall is Missouri’s largest, and lies just outside of Joplin.