Campsites near Ash Grove, Missouri are situated in the Ozark Plateau region at elevations between 1,100-1,400 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers where temperatures can exceed 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Fall camping offers colorful foliage viewing while spring brings wildflower displays across the rolling hillsides that characterize this region's terrain.
What to do
Water recreation at Stockton Lake: Kayaking is particularly popular at Stockton State Park Campground, where they offer marked kayak trails on the water. One visitor noted, "Great state park. Cleanest restrooms I've seen. Great trails. Bring the kayaks. They have some pretty cool kayak marked trails on the lake. Beautiful sail boats to see as well!"
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer well-maintained walking paths with lake views. A camper at Hawker Point Stockton Lake shared: "While Stockton Lake itself brings a lot to the table, with beautiful blue water, cliffs to jump from, and close proximity to town if you are craving some ice cream (I suggest Squeeze Inn)." The Lake View trail at Crabtree Cove provides "fantastic views and the shade was welcomed on a hot day."
Berry picking: Unique to the area is the opportunity for fresh berry harvesting. At B Berry Farms, visitors can pick berries right next to their campsite. A guest mentioned, "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Unlike some crowded campgrounds, Cedar Ridge Campground offers more secluded sites. As one reviewer described, "Lots of unique shaded spots with many on the water. Hilly terrain and dense woods make some spots feel very isolated and peaceful." Campers appreciate the ability to find spots that feel removed from neighboring sites.
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high among visitor preferences. A Cedar Ridge camper noted, "Simple campground. Spacious spots. Easy check in... Beautiful spots on the lake. Calm and family friendly environment." Many sites allow easy launching of personal watercraft directly from camp.
Clean facilities: The maintenance of bathrooms and common areas receives frequent positive mention. At Cooks RV Motor Park, visitors praise "Showers/restrooms/laundry are all in one building, and very clean and well kept." Another camper shared, "The staff was super friendly, and accommodating and when I arrived at around 7pm they were available to show me to my spot."
What you should know
Train proximity: Several campgrounds in the region have nearby train tracks, with varying noise impact. At Springfield Route 66 KOA, one camper reported, "No road noise........ but there is a train! The only downside was that we had to pull ahead in our site to get satellite signal." Another noted, "There is a train that goes by once or twice a day, but not enough to really make a deal."
Seasonal considerations: Water levels at Stockton Lake fluctuate seasonally. A camper at Cedar Ridge Campground advised, "This camp ground is located on a hill over looking Stockton Lake. There is a very nice boat launch ramp in the camp ground. Lots of shade! Good place to go when lake level is high."
Tent site selection: Not all tent sites are created equal. A Cedar Ridge visitor warned, "I noticed several of the tent sites do not have level areas for your tent. T01 site does not have close parking unless you are able to park in the handcap parking."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches or access points. At Cedar Ridge, a camper mentioned, "The kids loved watching the sailboats on this part of the lake. They also love the Sandy Beach." Crabtree Cove doesn't have an official beach but "there are some shoreline areas you can swim."
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities vary by campground. A visitor at Stockton State Park recommended, "We camped in campground 1 right next to the play ground. Super clean, had a view of the lake. Within walking distance of the marina." Both campground loops have "decent playgrounds for the kids."
Activity variety: B Berry Farms & Co. offers unique family activities beyond standard camping. A recent visitor described, "This place was awesome. The camp sites are spread out so there's plenty of room... There is so much to do and for all ages. Great family fun activities and very nice layout plus she even brought us freshly baked cookies."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Finding level spots can be challenging at some locations. At B Berry Farms, an RVer with a large vehicle noted, "The drawback for us is that the one site suitable for large RVs is not very level. We have a 40' Renegade Verona and it took 6 tries to find a place near the hookups where our auto-level would find a good position."
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary significantly across campgrounds. At Ruark Bluff East, RVers get electric hookups but limited water access. A visitor at Stockton State Park described it as "Almost boondocking with electric hookup and a dump station."
Easy access spots: For those seeking convenience, some campgrounds offer particularly accessible sites. A visitor at Ozark Highlands noted, "It is right near a few shopping centers but in the back of a trailer park and very quiet. They had good internet access for free."
