Whether you’re looking to pitch a tent in the wilderness or pull your RV into a campground loaded with amenities, Missouri is filled with opportunities for a camping adventure.
Camping is a great way to get outside and explore the state’s natural beauty. Many campgrounds have hiking trails that will take you through forests and glades, into caves and to the top of rocky bluffs. Campgrounds located along the shore of lakes and streams are just steps away from fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and other watersports. Camping areas at historic sites provide an opportunity to explore intriguing chapters of Missouri’s past.
Thousands of campsites are available in state parks and conservation areas, national park and forest areas, and privately owned campgrounds throughout the Show-Me State.
Missouri Camping Tips
Shelter
If you are tent camping, invest in a durable, high-quality tent that is easy to set up and take down and made to withstand high winds. Be sure to bring stakes and a hammer to secure the tent to the ground.
Gear
When it comes to camping gear, make sure you have the essentials. For tent camping, a sleeping bag is highly recommended. Choose one that is suitable for the climate and time of year you will be camping. For added comfort, consider bringing a cot, air mattress and extra blankets.
Other things you’ll want to bring along include: bug spray, flashlight, lantern, compass, pocketknife, water jug or bottle, and matches or a lighter.
Cooking
Plan ahead for meals. Make a list to ensure you pack all the ingredients you need, as well as cookware, utensils and a can opener. Be sure to store your perishable items in a cooler with plenty of ice.
Safety
Pack a first aid kit stocked with the essentials including bandages, antibiotic ointment, aloe, pain medicines, antiseptic and tweezers.
Missouri State Parks Camping
Missouri is known for its top-notch state parks and historic sites, and many of them offer camping. Check out each campground’s website for information about when a specific campground opens for the season, the type of campsites available and the recreational opportunities offered. A number of state parks also have cabins and other lodging options.
Many state park campgrounds fill up quickly – especially on the weekends – so it’s a good idea to reserve a campsite. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance. Fees for state park camping vary among campgrounds, the type of site, and whether it has electricity, water and sewer hookups.
State parks and historic sites with campgrounds include:
- Ann and Abel Van Meter State Park, Miami
- Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock
- Dr. Edwin A Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood
- Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson
- Battle of Athens State Historic Site, Revere
- Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon
- Big Lake State Park, Craig
- Crowder State Park, Trenton
- Cuivre River State Park, Troy
- Echo Bluff State Park, Eminence
- Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia
- Graham Cave State Park, Danville
- Harry S Truman State Park, Warsaw
- Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve
- Johnson’s Shut-in State Park, Middle Brook
- Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Brumley
- Lake Wappapello State Park, Williamsville
- Lewis and Clark State Park, Rushville
- Long Branch State Park, Macon
- Mark Twain State Park, Florida
- Meramec State Park, Sullivan
- Montauk State Park, Salem
- Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg
- Pershing State Park, Laclede
- Pomme de Terre State Park, Pittsburg
- Prairie State Park, Mindenmines
- Roaring River State Park, Cassville
- Robertsville State Park, Robertsville
- St. Francois State Park, Bonne Terre
- St. Joe State Park, Park Hills
- Stockton State Park, Dadeville
- Table Rock State Park, Branson
- Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville
- Trail of Tears State Park, Jackson
- Wakonda State Park, La Grange
- Washington State Park, De Soto
- Watkin Mill State Park, Lawson
- Weston Bend State Park, Weston
Camping in Missouri Department of Conservation Areas
Free camping is available at more than 300 Missouri Department of Conservation Areas located throughout the state. Most of the campsites are primitive and do not offer utility hookups. The campsites are first come, first served, so you should have a back up plan in case the location where you plan to camp is already occupied. Find more information here.
Camping in Missouri National Park and Forest Areas
Missouri is home to several national park and forest areas that offer a variety of camping facilities.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has several camping options including developed campgrounds, backcountry campgrounds, primitive campsites, gravel bar camping alongside the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, and camping along the Ozark Trail.
Reservations are required for all developed campsites and can be made up to six months in advance. Developed campgrounds include:
- Big Spring Campground
- Alley Spring Campground
- Round Spring Campground
- Pulltite Campground
- Two Rivers Campground
- Akers Campground
Mark Twain National Forest
Encompassing more than 1.5 million acres of land in 29 counties, Mark Twain National Forest offers campsites and backcountry camping. Find more information here.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds
Ten Missouri lakes and two locations on the Mississippi River have campgrounds operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Find more information here.
Important Notice: Help control the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, which is killing ash trees throughout the Midwest. Purchase firewood at your campground or nearby. Do not transport firewood from one location to another. Do not take your own firewood from home. Do not take firewood from the campsite to any other location.
Other Missouri Camping Experiences
For camping with a “glamourous” twist, try one of Missouri’s glamping spots.