Best Camping In Missouri

If you want to go camping in Missouri, there is an astounding amount of options to choose from ranging from locations which have amazing scenery, to those with densely packed forests, to those with unique historical relevance.

Wherever you want to go camping in Missouri, and whichever type of camping you prefer, you will be able to find somewhere in this state which matches your style!

With all the amazing choice available in this state, it can be quite overwhelming for people to make their mind up on which area and camp site they want to go to, so because of this, we have put this list together to ensure that you know some of the best options for camping in this state!

So, if you are looking to go camping in Missouri, but you do not know where to start looking, keep reading to get some great options to choose from!

The Best Camping Spots In Missouri

We have chosen a wide variety of different options for spots to go camping, so make sure to properly read through our descriptions so you are getting an accurate impression of each of our choices!

Devil’s Backbone Wilderness Campground

This spot can be found within the Mark Twain National Forest which contains more than 6000 acres of creeks, natural springs, rivers, and of course beautiful forest land to explore.

If you love to indulge yourself in natural beauty, this will be one of the best spots for you to go! You will find miles upon miles of different hiking and sightseeing trails, and you even have the option to go backpacking overnight as well.

There are also more than 13 miles of trails specifically designed for horse riding is that is more your speed. 

One of the best things about this spot is that you can visit all year long and you do not even need to get a reservation if you camp in specific areas.

The main drawback for this spot is that it is designed to be a more rustic camping experience with no sewage or electrical hookup options, but if this does not bother you, this is a great option!

Bell Mountain Wilderness Camping

This is a beautiful spot you will find within the St Francois Mountains where you can find some amazing spots to camp.

This area has an amazing 9000 acres of both mountains and forests free for you to explore making this an amazing spot if you are a backpacker or love hiking.

This spot also lets you camp anywhere if it is more than 100 feet from a trail making this a great spot for more seasoned campers! 

Camping here you will get some amazing views of the colorful landscape up on the mountains. There are some rules however like groups of campers and/or hikers being limited to no more than 10 people to ensure wilderness protection. However, you do not need reservations to camp here.

Table Rock State Park Camping

If you want to go somewhere with a more family friendly approach to camping, then Table Rock is going to be one of the best options.

Compared to the previous two options, this area stands out for offering electricity, water, and sewage hookups which makes it a spot which is a lot more comfortable for some people.

This state park has two areas for camping, with some RV spots as well, as well as picnic areas, and platforms for tents.

There are also plenty of fun activities to take part in when you are visiting this area like; boating, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing. If you are staying in the park you will also get a discount on the rental equipment which is loaned from the Marina close by.

This is also a great spot if you want to be more organized with the option to reserve up to a year in advance.

Meramec Caverns Lajolla Natural Campgrounds

This is one of the most beautiful spots for camping in Missouri and you will find just off Interstate 44. This camping site is right by the Meramec River and it stands out for being surrounded by stunning flora and trees.

You will also find the caves which this camping ground is named after only a short walk from the camping grounds. You can opt to look through these yourself if you are experienced, or if you want a more controlled trip you can get a tour!  

This park has plenty of amenities to make camping here a really fun time like a camp store, a restaurant, riverboat riding, gold panning, and even a candy store as well!

This is also a more comfortable spot for camping with a shower horse, toilets, as well as playgrounds and a picnic area. If you would prefer to not camp, you also have the option of staying at the motel close by which has a beautiful log cabin aesthetic.

St Francois State Park Campsites

This state park has more than 100 drive in camping areas which all have access to amenities like hot showers, picnic tables, parking, as well as facilities for doing laundry.

This is one of the best options for a stress free trip! There are some great hiking trails very close to the camping ground as well!

There is even a creek area where you can explore freshwater springs as well as swimming holes. You can also go canoeing in the river close by!

Summary

Hopefully this list has given you a good impression of the wide variety in options for camping available in Missouri!

While we hope you have been able to find a spot which looks like it will be a perfect fit for your camping trip, there are still plenty more amazing options which are in Missouri which we have not even covered on this list.

So, if you could not find anywhere on this list which suits your taste, do not give up and keep looking!