Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

General: Very large state park with six separate loops/areas:

• Loop 1: 10 Equestrian sites with water and electric (50 amp)

• Loop 2: 20 FHU sites (50 amp)

• Loop 3: 21 Sites with electric only (50 amp)

• Loop 4: 14 sites with no hookups

• Loop 5: 14 walk-in sites plus three special use sites

• Six cabins 

Site Quality: We stayed in Loop 3. Each site was very generous in size and reasonably distanced from each other. Most had foliage separating them. All sites looked to be level, and the camper pads were either all concrete or concrete/macadam and in very good shape. A large wooden picnic table, lantern/garbage hook, and fire pit complete each site. 

Bath/Shower House: The one closest to our site (and I’m assuming others are the same) had three toilet/sink combos and one family restroom/shower. On the other side of the building were three shower rooms. While they were clean, the floors were concrete, and the walls cinderblock and there was a bit of a musty odor. 

Activities/Amenities: We were there during the week in May and the visitor center and both stores (one in the campground and one by the Shut-Ins) were only open on the weekends. There was a laundry room with very reasonably priced machines ($1 each for the washer and dryer), a playground, and an amphitheater (which also was not in use when we were there). There is a gravel path that bisects each of the loops providing a nice way to walk/run throughout the campground. The signage in the park is good so even though no one was at the check-in station, it was easy to find our site and other facilities. The big draw for this park is the shut-ins (narrow constriction or gorge in a stream) where people can swim/slide from one to the other via small waterfalls into pools of water. We did see a few hearty souls in the water when we were there, and I can only imagine what it would be like on a hot summer weekend! 

We had almost the entire Loop 3 to ourselves, so it was a very quiet stay for us (except for the cicadas)!.

The campground was big and comfortable. We wanted to stay close to the open shower houses since only those in loop 3 and the cabins were open until April. Stayed in loop 2, which was still close enough to cabins shower house. Our site was right at the beginning of the loop and was very level and offered privacy since no one was to our right. No problem with cell service for 5G, we were able to stream music and apps. Anything under 5G was in SOS mode. No antennae TV available, either. The shut-ins were right down the road or you could walk or bike the paved path all the way there. The Scour Trail was also close and really neat to see.

We arrived at 9:30 AM and headed for the North Day Use parking lot. We were the second or third car there. We did not plan to see the shut-ins but instead put our chairs in the river via the access trails by the North Day Use side. We were able to choose any picnic table and setup our future lunch spot. I don't think but one other table was used the rest of the day, because most people that parked here walked to the shut-ins. The early afternoon was very peaceful and we were the only people in that section of the river. By mid afternoon the parking lot was full and there were then several small groups of families in the section by us, all very polite and friendly. Don't know, but imagine the shut-ins were busy with people due to seeing all the cars drive in that direction. We left by 3:30 and the parking lot was starting to empty out. Decent vault toilet in this section, if you don't look in it, and flush toilets by the Black River Center.

This place has what you need for a good camping trip. The general store has the essentials, the campground is clean, sites are decently spaced with enough privacy. Thumbs up.

This was such a clean campground. From the restrooms to the campsite and the river, everything was amazing. The river was a bit busy on Saturday but that’s a given in July. We will definitely be coming back!

Love it. Best way to put it. There is a store and firewood, campsites are semi close but very large and well put together!!

We tent camped in loop 3 in late November for one night. The bathroom and showers were still on in this camping area. The spots are slightly close together but still very wooded. Not a lot of people camping at this time of the year even on a Saturday. Camp hosts were fabulous. The sites aren’t really set up for tents. More for Trailers. We had to get creative to find a spot to put up the tent in order to stake it down. Large parking pads, fire rings, and picnic tables at each camp site.

Excellent camping, very clean spots, kinda close together but still a bit wooded, bathrooms and showers were clean and perfect as well.

We stayed in lot 211 in early October. The park is outstanding. Clean. Level sites. Paved hiking trails to the Shut In’s. The store and visitor center were already closed during the week but open on the weekend. The leaves were just starting to turn.

More private than I expected from a big state park campground with showers and the works. I’d absolutely recommend.

Arrived in evening as a stopping point. It was a bit loud but right at quiet time everyone was silent until after quiet ours ended. The campground trail was nice and the amenities were surprisingly well maintained. Hot shower in private shower room, flush toilet, well lit and not over crowded.

We love this campground! Each campsite has lots of shade and privacy. Plus a large concrete pad. Their bathrooms are always clean and water is hot for showers. I can go on and on about this campground. It’s very nice!

This is still the favorite spot, so far, to take my kiddos to. Gorgeous views, a clear and well cared for river. Scenic views from the walkway and stairs built beside it, with open areas to access the river and the beautiful huge rocks scattered among it. A great jumping and swimming spot, too. Unmatchable!

This is a new(ish) and well maintained campground. It is located on the Black River, and the water flowing through the shut-ins is crystal clear and cool. We weren’t there during the summer months, but I am sure this park is busy when the weather is good for swimming. We stayed at the campground at the end of September when the leaves were just starting to change colors and it was beautiful.

All the sites have concrete pads and there is plenty of space between sites with lots of trees. There is also a walking path that cuts through the middle of both loop 2 and 3. This is great if you are planning trips with friends and family but can’t get sites directly next to each other. The park has a great general store which is centrally located and there is a nice big laundry facility attached if you need it. We didn’t use the bathroom/shower facilities while we were there due to covid, so I unfortunately don’t have information about those for you.

Be aware the shut-ins are separate from the campgrounds. This can be either a positive detail or a negative depending on how you look at it. It’s only bad if you are concerned about the fact that you have to drive or walk to go play in the water. However, I think the good outweighs the bad in this case.

Although we weren’t there during the warmer/swimming months, I can imagine the park gets pretty busy during the weekends and hot days. So the positive is, if you are camping, that the campground area won’t be busy with day-use visitors because the park is split up. Which means, you can still enjoy the peace and quiet if you aren’t playing at the actual shut-ins. That is definitely a plus in my book.

The only issue we had was there was nobody at the gate to check us in. We had to check in by text or we could scan a QR code and there were no campsite maps available either. So hopefully you have better phone service then we had, and make sure to download a site map so you can find your campsite more easily.

Overall, the park is great. The shut-ins are beautiful and if you are into exploring the area around Johnson’s Shut-ins there are multiple state parks nearby where you can drive to and do some more exploring.

Very nice campground with nice showers and clean bathrooms. Camp sites were somewhat close together so hope you like neighbors. We didn’t check the nearby trails to the shut-ins before coming. The shut-ins trail DOES NOT allow dogs so that’s a bummer. Found some other local hiking trails so overall it wasn’t too bad.

We loved this clean and beautiful campground! We stayed in the fall and the colors were amazing. Our kids loved climbing all over the shut-ins. We have already planned to return in the summer to swim! Well maintained facilities and the store had everything you could need. Nice paved sites that have picnic tables & fire pits.

We spent the weekend at WI513, wagons are provided as the trail is hilly. Camp site has wooden pads due to terrain, and depending on which campsite you’re in, bathroom and shower facilities are nearby and kept very clean. General store on site has provisions, firewood, and free WiFi. Nearby Shut-ins is in the day use are beautiful, great for a dip on a hot day. However those who wish to continue practicing social distancing should skip the dip and stick to the miles of beautiful trails.

Beautiful site, each walk-in was spread apart from each other. We loved it and cannot wait to go back.

So in the winter we can't stay away from the state parks and Johnson Shut Ins is a perfect base to explore the area when it is too cold to tent camp with kids. We got a camper cabin in the first weekend of December and brought our two dogs. The campground is mostly empty this time of year. The showerhouses are clean with hot water and there is a friendly host. We bought firewood at a gas station in Arcadia before we got to the park. Of course it was a little wet but burned OK. I wasn't sure if wood was available in the park because of limited facility openings during the offseason. We walked the Shut Ins trail one morning and it was misty and beautiful. No dogs allowed there though. There is some cell service on the cabin loop. My only complaint is other campers, who let their dogs run loose. Obviously not the park's fault. The cabins are clean and very nice with rockers on the front porch. We visited Elephant Rocks also, where dogs are allowed.

Water and electric at every site. Really nice bathrooms with recycle bins. Totally lanscaped.

Stayed on a Monday -Wednesday in a walk-in spot in loop 5. Every spot was occupied but park was maintained well and good time.

This has long been one of our favorite places to go as a family. The campground itself is perfect for families with lots of activities, especially during the summer months. Everything from walk in tent sites to full hook ups and even a few cabins. Book far in advance though! The Shut Ins themself are up the road from the actual campground and require a good hike back to actually get to the water. It’s all flat but you’ll still want to travel light. While the water area itself is beautiful you do need to be extremely careful. Especially with little ones. There are areas up top that you can hang out with children and let them swim without issue. But the shut ins themselves need to be navigated with caution. Overall this is one of our favorite parks in the state with plenty of fun for everyone!

The shut-in are a classic eastern MO destination with crystal clear water and beautiful bluffs. Campsite are less than 1.5 miles from the swimming area and are very clean and well maintained. Very nice visitors center with cool exhibits. General store at the campgrounds with limited hours. Word of caution.. the shut-in are for strong swimmers only! I would not recommend it for small children. The swimming area below the shut-ins however are fine. Water shoes a must!

Nice park. It’s a pretty long trek from parking to the swimming area with young children and all your gear. I recommend finding a nice pooled in area to swim in. Moving from pool to pool gets dicey. There are some awesome deep pools and “natural slides” but it definitely gets very slippery and you really have to watch the kids. Campground is pretty clean but average for state park.

I want to start by saying that this is an awesome sight to see and experience. With that being said, it is also hazardous and not easily accessible. The shut-ins are rock formations smoothed over by water. They are extremely slippery! Shoes are a necessity. The rocks also become very hot to the touch. There is no easy access to the swimming hole. You must climb up and down the hot, slippery rocks. It is not for the faint of heart, or anyone not physically capable of hoisting your own body out of the water, or small children who do not listen. 

Despite these warnings, I was glad that my family was able to traverse the shut-ins. It was adventurous (and a little scary) but very cool to do.

The campsites are very nice. I don't mind the concrete pads they have for camping and parking. We have a camper but used cots when we tent camped so concrete was not a problem for us.

The kids loved the shut ins. We didn't even make it all the way to the back as it was a very long walk. We also visited some of the historical sites in the area.

Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is located on the Black River in Missouri, just south of St. Louis. This makes it a popular location on hot summer days, especially weekends. If you plan to go, make a reservation by calling toll free 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). This is a State Park with about 80 walk-in, basic, electric, sewer/electric/water and equestrian campsites. Some of the sites have wooden platforms. The park also has a small store located in the center of the campground. Swimming is popular at the park. The “shut-ins” are rock formations where the river is limited by hard rock that it is cutting through. In these shut-ins, the river cascades over and around smooth-worn rock, creating a natural water park. There is also hiking and rock climbing.

The Shutins are a perfect spot for an active camper. The rocks in the river make for an amazing natural waterpark! Wearing water shoes is a must! I only gave it 4 stars because dogs are not allowed in the shut-ins area, only at the campsite. My dog goes everywhere with me so it makes us hesitant to return.

We have stayed in cabins and tent camped. Beautiful spot, but can be very heavily populated

A lot to do on the grounds and surrounding areas. Sites were very large with ample parking space