Timbuktu Campground sits within Echo Bluff State Park, Missouri's newest state park as of 2016, built on land that once housed a children's summer camp and later a music festival venue. The campground occupies an open area at the bottom of a steep grade, with the Ozark hills rising around it and Sinking Creek a short walk away. Campers arriving from Eminence will find full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer, accommodating rigs up to 60 feet, alongside a separate walk-in area for tent campers.
The two camping experiences here are genuinely different. RV sites are concrete, level, and close together, with young trees that provide little shade. Reviewers consistently note the lack of canopy and the density of neighboring sites. The walk-in tent sites, reached uphill on foot with gear wagons available at the trailhead, sit on raised wood platforms and feel more separated from one another, with established trees providing more cover. Marissa H. puts it plainly: "make sure to book a walk-in campsite if you're tent camping."
Water access drives most visits. The spring-fed Current River, cold and clear, runs less than a mile from camp, and Sinking Creek cuts through the park itself. Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and swimming are all on the table, and canoe outfitters offer free pickup at the campground. Hikers have marked trails to choose from, including routes that pass below the park's large overlook pavilion. Cell service is generally available, and reviewers report fast WiFi near the lodge. Wild horses roam the property occasionally. As Shelly S. notes, "bring your water shoes, the rocks aren't fun to walk on."
Reservations are strongly recommended, and booking well in advance is the standard advice from repeat visitors. The park fills quickly, particularly on summer weekends, and noise enforcement at night has been inconsistent according to some accounts. Rates run $13 to $34 per night depending on site type. For campers who want a more backcountry experience, Sinking Creek Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway and Round Spring Campground - Ozark National Scenic Riverways are both close by in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways corridor.
The lodge, restaurant, and camp store make this a workable base for families or groups less interested in roughing it, and the playground gets regular use from younger campers. Come with the river as your primary destination, and the campground will serve its purpose well.
Description
The park features a primitive group/special-use camping area with a fire ring and restroom facilities. Call the park for information on how to reserve this area.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTimbuktu Campground is located in Missouri near Eminence
Address
35244 Echo Bluff Drive
Eminence, MO 65466
Coordinates
37.3147724 N
91.40013762 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 4 min from Jefferson City, MO
- 2 hrs 14 min from Springfield, MO
- 2 hrs 32 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
- 2 hrs 46 min from Jonesboro, AR




















































