Our first camping adventure in the popup took us to Pomme de Terre State Park on Father’s Day of 2017. Pomme de Terre State Park is one State Park that is two completely separate campgrounds, split in half by Pomme de Terre lake. When booking pay attention to whether you are on the Hermitage side or the Pittsburgh side. Each campground has it’s own camp store, swim beach, boat launch, and sanitary disposal station.
We have camped three separate times at Pomme de Terre with all three campsites being in the 400 loop on the Pittsburgh side. This loop has been chosen due to its proximity to the bathrooms and the playground, these are key when having a 4-year-old. This loop is located in the woods with nice spacing between sites. Each site comes with a fire ring and covered picnic table. I will warn you that some of the sites on the left when you first pull into the loop are on an incline, so bring plenty of leveling pads with you if you have a trailer. If you are wanting to be close to the water this loop is not the one you will want to reserve. I would look more in the 300 loop, though those sites are gravel in case that is an issue for you, or look at the Hermitage side. The bathroom and shower house located at the entrance to loop 400 are some of the nicest that we have experience while staying in a state park. They are clean and well maintained. Located throughout the loops are vault toilets if you choose a site farther away from the main bathroom.
We enjoy the campground and marina on the Pittsburgh side. The marina is stocked with some camp essentials as well as a café for a quick bite. They also have boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards for rent, for a list a prices here is the Marina’s website www.mofunparks.com. This is one of our son’s favorite stops on the trip, they have a nice selection of ice cream. The size of the marina is not large, and if it is busy the inside can be very cramped. We do prefer the swim beach on the Hermitage side it is located along a peninsula with ample room on busy days, as opposed to the Pittsburgh swim beach that is located in a cove without as much space.
When traveling between the two state parks you will travel through Hermitage, Missouri. They have a Dollar General, gas station, and some restaurants. I cannot speak for the restaurants, but we have used the Dollar General for supplies that did not make the trip. Located at the junction of Hwy 64 and Hwy 64B, just outside of the Pittsburgh side of the park, you will find an old building directly across from White’s Marine Center that is selling camp wood. The person that sells the wood will be out there sometimes, but if they are not, there is drop box mounted to one of the poles to leave money in. I was able to purchase a wheelbarrow load for $8.00, which is a much better deal than the small bundle they sell in the park for $5.00.
Pomme de Terre State Park has become a family favorite campground. We will be making a voyage here every year to continue exploring.
