Best Campsites in Missouri
Missouri is arguably the best place to go camping in the United States. With an endless array of picturesque landscapes, scenic nature trails, and various waterways, the state has a variety of camping options available for campers to choose from. If you are looking for outdoor adventure from this state, whether you want to hike, hit the waterways and cast your line, swim or hike the following highlighted 15 campgrounds in Missouri provide some of the best outdoor activities and campsites that you and your family can enjoy.
1. Big Creek RV Park
Located in Annapolis, this campground has something for everyone to enjoy. The Big Creek RV Park features 50 campsites fully equipped with amenities such as water, septic, electric hookups, Wi-Fi, and even cable television for the indoor inclined campers. Unlike typical campgrounds, the Big Creek goes a step further by offering a propane filling station for the RVs and trailers, a meeting hall, a coin Laundromat, swimming pool, a playground for the kids, an arcade, private showers and an on-site camp store where visitors can purchase all the camping basic needs.’
2. Meramec Caverns Campground
The Meramec Caverns Campground is located in Stanton, Missouri and is opened seasonally between Aprils to October. You can do so much at this RV Park because it offers activities such as a tour of the caverns, a ride on the zip line and canoe trips. It features a variety of amenities, which include trailer/RV hook-ups, sheltered pavilions, a playground, and riverfront campsites. Meramec Caverns Campground also offers a concession stand where you can replenish your energy after a day of activities, restrooms, as well as clean and well-maintained showers.
3. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Located in Middle Brook, Missouri, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is one of the ideal destinations for a great family weekend. It offers a variety of campsite options that range from special use sites, horseback riding, and a modern campsite with electricity and water. Some of the amenities you can expect to find at this campground are a campground store, a wood lot, water, laundry, and a dump station. The state park also features lots of natural beauty, lovely swimming areas, and hiking trails, which the whole family can enjoy.
4. Table Rock State Park
If you are the kind of camper that enjoys camping in an area that is close to a city, but still far enough to enjoy everything that nature has to offer, a stay at Table Rock State Park, located in Branson can provide you that opportunity. The Table Rock State Park avails a variety of outdoor activities, which include hiking trails, swimming, boat riding, biking, as well as scuba diving in the lake. The State Park features a variety of campsites, which range from the modern ones with sewers, electricity, and water, group campsites for the family to campsites with lake access. It also features two camping locations; one of which is open from March to November while the other one is open all year long.
5. Long Branch State Park
If you are a water sports enthusiast, be sure to include the Long Branch State Park, located in Macon, on your travel itinerary to the state of Missouri. This state park features a swimming beach, a fishing area, and three boat ramps, which attract thousands of visitors to the lakeside campground. Open from April to October, Long Branch has 80 campsites, which offer a variety of amenities, which include Electric hookups-also referred to as dry camping showers, a dump station, and clean water. Special use areas and customized family sites are also available in the State Park.
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6. Cuivre River State Park
Located in Troy and only a short drive from St. Louis, the Cuivre River State Park is a great destination for campers looking to escape the tediums of city life. It offers sewer, electric, water, and equestrian camping locations. Activities you can indulge in the campground include swimming in the sinkholes, fishing/boating on the pristine waters of the lake as well as hiking the forest trails. The state park features family campsites, special use sites and organized group camps with on season services such as firewood, water, showers, ice, and a dump station.
7. Roaring River State Park
Are you looking for the best fishing area in the state of Missouri? Look no further than the Roaring River State Park in Cassville. It is nestled on a high cliff, which overlooks a natural spring and is home to the premier trout fisheries in the USA. It features three campsites; two of which are seasonal and open early march to October, while the other one is open all season. While the park is open, you can expect to find amenities such as laundry services, a dump station, showers, clean water among others. Family sites are also offered in the campground.
8. Lake Paradise Camping Resort
Located in Lone Jack in the state of Missouri, Lake Paradise Camping Resort is one of the most upscale camping destinations in the state. The Resort has 500 large RV sites as well as 100 other campsites and cabins. The camping resort offers various luxurious amenities which include golf cart rentals, a full-service restaurant, and a humongous swimming pool. Other services include a laundry and shower facility, a convenience store, and a bait shop, just to mention a few. It even features an internet café where the business executive types can get online and check their emails.
9. Montauk State Park
If your camping adventure cannot be complete without indulging in some fishing, then the Montauk State Park is the ideal place to go camping in Missouri. Situated on the scenic Pigeon creek Basin, it is one of the best places in the Midwest for trout fishing. The amenities in the state park include clean water, showers, laundry services and many more. When visiting the park, you can get to choose from the available campsite options, which range from basic, electric, or family campsites.
10. Pomme de Terre State Park
Situated on Pomme de Terre Lake, this state park is one of the most scenic campgrounds in Pittsburgh & Hermitage. It features two campgrounds, which are open in all the four seasons; however, most of the amenities such as showers, water, and a dump station are only available from April to October. The Pittsburgh site offers the campers a full-service marina, available all year while the Heritage site offers picnic areas, a large beach, trails, and a laundry room.
11. Hawn State Park
Located in St. Genevieve, Missouri, the Hawn State Park is the best camping destinations for campers who happen to enjoy Geology. Visitors to this state park have a unique opportunity to learn about the origin and development of some of the exposed rock types found in Pickle creek, bird watchers can marvel at the different bird varieties that live in the park and hikers will enjoy hiking through the Whispering Pine wild area. The park also offers a variety of amenities such as laundry services, reservable sites, and a dump station.
12. Knob Noster State Park
Set amongst a flat grassland, a babbling creek, and a forested environment, the Knob Noster State Park is an ideal camping destination for biking, hiking, and swimming. Located in Knob Noster, Missouri, the state park is open between the seasons that run between April and October. It avails amenities such as a dump station, firewood, water, and laundry services. The campsites visitors can choose range from electric, basic, and family sites.
13. Van Meter State Park
Are you a history buff? Would you love to know more about American Indian history? Be sure to visit the Van Meter State Park for an opportunity to explore the Missouri Indian village ruins where you can learn more about its earlier inhabitants at the American Indian Culture Center. With seasons that run from early April to late October, this state park offers electric-ups. The amenities offered by Van Meter include showers, restrooms, and clean water.
14. Sam A. Baker State Park in Patterson
Located on Big Creek and along the St Francois River, Sam A. Baker State Park is a scenic camping destination in the state of Missouri. It offers three camping sites to its visitors, which include an equestrian campground, which is open from March to November and provides a vault toilet, electric and basic sites. The other two campgrounds are regular; one which opens all year round and features a restroom, laundry, and a dump station, while the other regular campground is open from April to October and offers both electric and basic sites, restrooms, shower houses, and a dumping station.
15. Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Kaiser
Found at 0170, 403 MO-134, Kaiser, MO, 65047, the Lake of the Ozarks State Park is a very popular weekend and vacation destination for many visitors, however, it also features some of the best campgrounds in the state of Missouri. It has many campsites available throughout the year on a first-come-first-serve basis. It also avails several outdoor activities for campers to indulge in and they include but not limited to hiking, swimming, fishing and sunbathing on the beach.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a rustic outdoor adventure or a leisurely camping vacation, the state of Missouri has got you covered. Many of the above-mentioned campgrounds accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis, however, some require reservations. Some allow pets on their grounds, so long as you care and clean after them. With the various camping opportunities in this state, you and your family are bound to enjoy a stay at any of the above campgrounds that meet your needs. Feel free to share your comments and opinions regarding 15 of the best camping sites in Missouri mentioned above. Happy camping!
