missouri

After a blissful day of wandering woodland paths, admiring beautiful views and wading through crystal-clear streams, you huddle around a campfire, crack open a beverage and enjoy the evening peace and quiet. You may even have a s’more or two, since they’re calorie free when eaten outdoors (little known fact).

After a mosquito free night and a good night's sleep in your tent, on your comfy air mattress, you wake to birds chirping and clear morning air. This is the life!

In this article, we have rounded up the best tent campgrounds in the great state of Missouri. No more excuses; dust off the headlamp and shake the cobwebs off your tent, fill the bear-proof cooler and grab the kids. We’re going camping!

But first, here are some good reasons to camp in Missouri.

Missouri – The Show-Me State!

Few states come close to the natural scenery that makes Missouri perfect for pitching your tent, even if you’ve never been there before. Whether you are looking for a home-base campground to explore neighboring attractions or an exploration of the natural beauty that Missouri has in abundance, these tent campgrounds will be perfect for an enjoyable, relaxing great-outdoor vacation.

The Cave State

Considered part of the Midwest region, Missouri’s eastern border is the Mississippi river making its way south to the Gulf of Mexico. Missouri boasts two large cities; St. Louis on the eastern border and Kansas City on the western edge, but Jefferson is the capital city. Missouri is also home to the Mark Twain National Forest and Branson, a tourist mecca on the southern edge of the state. Also known as the “cave state”, Missouri has more than 6,000 recorded caves.

Westward Ho!

Missouri played an important part of the westward expansion of the United States, which is memorialized by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail and California Trail all began in Missouri, as did the Pony Express. The Missouri River flows from west to east across the entire state, which is part of the reason that the state welcomed almost 17 million visitors to its recreational areas and national parks.

Weather or Not?

Missouri weather is typical for the southern part of the United States, with cold, snowy winters and humid, hot summers.

Extreme weather in the form of tornadoes and thunderstorms may occur during the season, which is March through June. 

Therefore, you need a reliable tire to travel safely inside the Missouri region. TireTerrain helps me a lot through the tire selection.

Natural Wonders

Missouri’s Bootheel region, located in the southeastern part of the state, is a low, flat, warm, wet area that is home to a lot of the local agriculture, which includes cotton and rice. The rest of the state includes large river bluffs along the Missouri, Mississippi and Meramec Rivers and plains to the northern border area. The Ozark Mountains are heavily forested and located in the southern-most part of the state.

With a total of over 101,000 acres, the national park system in Missouri is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and perfect for tent camping, so let’s get to our list! In no particular ranking order, here are the six best tent campgrounds in the state:

1- Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Middle Brook Missouri

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is named after its most interesting feature, which is the rocks in the center of the east fork of the Black River, which “shut in” the water’s flow between the boulders. The rocks have formed an erosion-resistant natural water park, allowing the water from the river to pour around and over them. The waterfalls and currents in the shut-ins area are perfect for floating and playing.

In addition to the shut-ins area, the park offers picnic areas, cabins, swimming areas, overlooks and trails for both humans and horses to enjoy the fantastic scenery of the St. Francois Mountains. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park offers walk-in, basic and loaded campsites including special-use camping areas. There is a campground store plus two others on site to re-stock your food and supplies. Reservations to camp are advised and while the camping is available year-round, the store hours vary and water to the sites is only available from April through October.

2- Table Rock State Park, Branson, MO

Location is everything for this state park, which is on the shores of Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. Camping is a smart choice when visiting Branson, as it is the most economical way to enjoy this tourist area. Featuring everything from ziplines to live music theaters, Branson has become an international destination for music lovers and thrill seekers alike.

Table Rock Lake itself boasts three different campgrounds that are open year round. Campers have access to parasailing, scuba diving and catamaran tours as well as equipment rentals and the marina. The state park itself is loaded with old growth forests of hickory and oak trees and includes a mountain bike trail, shelters and picnic areas.

3- Montauk State Park, Salem MO

Anglers in search of trout, take note: Montauk State Park is one of the best in Missouri to reel in that record catch! The park also includes a lodge and multiple hiking trails and is abundant in natural beauty thanks to the Current River. Montauk is a shady green oasis offering plenty of opportunities for relaxing, hiking, picnicking and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Located on the headwaters of the Current River, the park’s own natural springs combine with Pigeon Creek and pour in more than 40 million gallons of water each day. Perfect for trout and perfect for camping under the stars in a nice, quiet spot in the modern campground. Rental cabins are also available along with a dining lodge and motel. Tour the gristmill, which was built in 1896 and is the last remaining flour mill on the river, complete with original machinery. Guided tours are free but only on weekends and hours vary.

4- Roaring River State Park, Cassville, MO

Smack dab on the Missouri-Arkansas State line and just south of Cassville, flows the Roaring River, through one of the steepest areas of the Ozark Mountains. The wild, rugged terrain is more challenging for hikers and bikers, but the mountain vistas are stunning and work the effort. Another fantastic opportunity for trout fishing, you’ll meet fellow fisher-folk from hundreds of miles away that made a special trip just for that.

The park itself boasts seven hiking trails, a swimming pool, picnic areas with tables and a nature center to learn all about the flora and fauna found in the park. The campground has basic, electric and full service sites available as well as cabins throughout the park or modern hotel rooms nearby. A full service restaurant and park store offer complete amenities.

5- Meramec Caverns, Stanton, MO

Missouri is as famous for its caves as it is for its Kansas City style BBQ, so how could our list be complete without a campground with caves nearby? Never fear, the underground network of caverns in nearby Meramec State Park has camping nearby, above ground and along the Meramec River. The park features more than 13 miles of hiking trails plus swimming, fishing, rafting and boating in the river.

Meramec Caverns is a name for the 4.6-mile cavern system near the State Park, which were formed over millions of years of limestone erosion. Artifacts have been found in the caverns that date to the pre-Columbian Native American era. Currently, tourists are welcome in the caverns, which is the most visited cave in Missouri. Of note is the fifth level of the caverns, which includes a “wine room”. In this room, the rarest of all cave formations, nicknamed “the wine table”, is six feet high, made of aragonite and supported by three natural legs. Hours vary for cave tours and there is a fee for the experience.

Back in the Meramec State Park, the visitor center is a must-see so you can learn all about the animals, trees and insects in the park. Go for a tour of Fisher Cave, which is a natural wonder full of massive columns and intricate rock formations. Open seasonally, Fisher Cave does charge an entrance fee. Meramec State Park has basic, as well as serviced campsites and group tent areas that are perfect for get-togethers and family trips. There is a park store for necessities and plenty of natural areas to explore like Bluff View Trail and the network of caves and caverns nearby.

6- Hawn State Park, Genevieve, MO

For those of us who just want peace and quiet without tourist attractions, either natural or created, there is Hawn State Park. One of the best-kept, secret areas in Missouri, beloved by flower and bird watchers, geologists and other nature-seekers, Hawn State Park is full of clear streams and natural rock formations as well as fields of wild orchids and unique mountain vistas. Hawn State Park is the perfect location to relax and unwind surrounded by nature.

The campground is located beneath a lofty pine tree canopy and offers electric and basic sites or just picnic facilities. Camping here is the perfect way to enjoy the over 10-mile long backpacking trail that is considered one of the best in the whole state. Your hosts at the campground will helpfully give you a guided tour or offer wood or ice for sale. Visitors to the park have said that it is well kept, clean and attractive, and they loved exploring Pickle Creek in the midst of the whispering pine forest.

We’ve fallen in love with Missouri just reading about all the great tent campgrounds found around the state. Whether you’re a spelunker, a fishing enthusiast or a hiking and backpack junkie, Missouri tent camping will provide the natural adventure you crave. For those that want their vacation a bit more lively, consider camping near Branson, St. Louis or Kansas City to venture into civilization and enjoy dining and nightlife.

Hope this post was helpful for you to find which campground is the most suitable for your personal needs. Happy trails!