MO Missouri Porch

Where to camp

Where to camp — Missouri's marquee parks

Not sure where to point the car? Start here. This is a shortlist of standout camping parks — the kind of places worth building a trip around. It is only a sampler: the state-park system alone has dozens of campgrounds, so think of these as a few favorites to get you started, not the whole list.

Marquee camping parks

Echo Bluff

A modern Ozark park on Sinking Creek — the Timbuktu Campground, the Betty Lea Lodge, and cabins.

Johnson's Shut-Ins

The famous Black River shut-ins, with a campground, camper cabins, and an equestrian camp.

Bennett Spring, Montauk & Roaring River

The three trout parks — camp by the water; the March 1 opener is a tradition.

Lake of the Ozarks

The largest state park — two campgrounds, yurts, and Outpost cabins.

Sam A. Baker

St. Francois Mountains on the Black River, with an equestrian camp.

Meramec

Bluffs, caves, and floating on the Meramec River.

Onondaga Cave

Camp next to a show cave.

Table Rock

Lakeside camping and premium yurts on Table Rock Lake.

Great parks with no regular campground

These are worth a day trip — go for the day, then camp nearby.

Ha Ha Tonka

Castle ruins, karst trails, caves, sinkholes, and a giant spring. There's no regular drive-up campground, but there is free, reservation-required backcountry camping on the Turkey Pen Hollow Trail (3 designated sites — register first, and campfires are prohibited, so bring a stove) plus a special-use group camping area. Most casual campers stay nearby at Lake of the Ozarks State Park or a Corps/private campground.

Elephant Rocks

Giant granite boulders and a great family day trip, with no regular campground. Plan to camp nearby at Johnson's Shut-Ins or Sam A. Baker.

Camping with horses or a group

Equestrian camps are at Sam A. Baker, Cuivre River, Johnson's Shut-Ins, St. Joe.

Group camps: There are 12 organized group camps in seven parks (Crowder, Cuivre River, Knob Noster, Lake of the Ozarks, Roaring River, Mark Twain, and Babler) — reserve by calling the park.

Backpacking

Some state parks also allow dispersed or designated backpack camping with their own rules — for example, camp at least 100 ft from trails, 200 ft from major public-use areas, water, and private property, and ¼ mile from a trail entry/exit. Check the specific park's page.

Ready to book? See State parks camping for the rules, rates, and the reservation window. Want a roof over your head? See Cabins, yurts & lodging.

Before you go

Missouri Porch explains; the agency that runs your campground decides.

Last checked: 2026-06-18. Prices, dates, reservation rules, and closures change — confirm with the agency that runs your campground before you go.

This is a plain-English summary, not the official rulebook. Camping spans five different agencies, and each sets its own rules — always confirm with the agency that runs your campground before you go.

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