Best Campgrounds near Ellington, MO

Ellington, MO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Ellington. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Ellington. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Ellington, Missouri (160)

    1. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

    56 Reviews
    Black, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 546-2450

    $11 - $32 / night

    "It is located on the Black River, and the water flowing through the shut-ins is crystal clear and cool."

    "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."

    2. Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    25 Reviews
    Van Buren, MO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "It is still possible to enjoy the area and there are places to get away from the crowd.

    In 2017 the area had a major flood and renovations are slow."

    "Big Spring is a great, quiet spot to take in some hiking with access to the Current River."

    3. Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    10 Reviews
    Van Buren, MO
    12 miles

    "lots of space on the bank to have privacy from other campers, the river was blue and super pretty, and the area was very clean. i didnt see litter anywhere. there is no cell service so youll have to drive"

    "There must be an ATV trail close by because Sunday evening we had about 20 side-by-side show up to hang out by the river all in all just a great place"

    4. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Patterson, MO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 856-4411

    "State Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites."

    "Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper."

    5. Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

    37 Reviews
    Eminence, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 751-5211

    "This is really the gem of Missouri state parks. Rv sites are all full 30/50 amp with water and sewer. All spots have plenty of room but are back in. The pads are perfectly level and are concrete."

    "Echo Bluff State Park is nestled in the heart of Missouri's Ozarks. This natural haven offers a perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers."

    6. Four Creeks Ranch Campground

    3 Reviews
    Ellington, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 444-2112

    $15 - $30 / night

    "this campground is totally off the beaten path. a great place to relax and unwind. this is also a good place if your new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society. the"

    "She just wasn't there when we arrived, and we had a hard time determining property boundaries, tent site locations, etc. on our own."

    7. Piedmont Park

    6 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-7777

    $14 - $50 / night

    "We stayed right next to the beach in site A15. Spot was lacking shade but made up for it with the view."

    "Very easy to drive to and plenty of parking! Definitely recommend and would stay here again!"

    8. Sutton Bluff Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Black, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 729-6656

    $10 - $40 / night

    "The Sutton Bluff Recreation area is really beautiful, surrounded by bluffs and in a really great location."

    "This campground is definitely off the beaten path so make sure that you have the majority of your necessities before setting up camp."

    9. Bearcat Getaway

    7 Reviews
    Annapolis, MO
    14 miles
    Website

    $12 / night

    "Now I opt for a site as far away from the stage as possible and do not bring my children here lol. Nice facilities, no real complaints. I bet weekdays are a lot more serene."

    10. Bluff View(clearwater Lake)

    3 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-7777

    $14 - $50 / night

    "Ggreat area to walk"

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Recent Reviews near Ellington, MO

701 Reviews of 160 Ellington Campgrounds


  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Piedmont Park

    Beautiful Place

    This is a beautiful campground. It is an older campground but very well maintained and very clean. The view from my camp is spectacular. I have electric, water, a covered picnic table, a fire ring and all for $8/night with my pass discount. Only negative thing I can say is the long hike to the bathrooms, but not really all that bad. Wonderful campground, will stay here again

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mark Twain National Forest Markham Springs Campground

    Beautiful out of the way spot.

    This is a very clean, well kept campground in Mark Twain National Forest. It has electric, vault toilets showers and a potable water spigot. Very reasonably priced. The water was cut off for repairs shortly after I arrived but, no problem, stuff happens. Been here 12 days and it has been very enjoyable. I did a field report and it tested my "cell" reception but I have no signal here so I am using Starlink and have a great connection so that will skew the test results. They need to ask if using Starlink before doing that test.

  • J
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Beautiful but not free

    Stunning views. Multiple spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. They have a QR code on each picnic table so you can book your site through the state and pay $10 to Camp but there's no service in that area so I'm not sure how they expect us to be able to do that. There's two camping sections. One is about halfway down the road. It's grass and trees and it's across from a vault toilet and a trash bin. If you go all the way to the end of the road it rocks and sand and you're right on the water but there's no toilets or trash.

    The coordinates for this place just takes you to the start of the road not to the actual campsites. So once you get to the road just drive down it. It's not too far and car could make it.

    The only annoying thing was that when I stayed with my tent on the rocks by the water, all the way at the end, I could still hear the person at the very first campsite with RV generator humming very loudly and it took away a lot of the ambiance of the place. So it's primitive but you may not be alone.

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Tom Sauk Mountain State Park

    Primitive

    We didn’t camp here but drove up the mountain to check out the look out. Took a trip through the campground, tent camping only and it looked like most sites had platforms and a picnic table. I seen one or two restrooms. Looked nice and wasn’t crowded. Several hiking trails, I think we’ll come back in the future to hike

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Montauk State Park Campground

    Relaxing

    Very nice campground, tons of shade! My site (206) was very level and was surrounded in trees like basically ever other site which made it comfortable to sit outside all day. We’ve been down here a couple times now and would highly recommend it.

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Black River Hideaway Campground

    Clean and neat

    Camp host were very friendly, park is very clean and neat. Nice amenities through the campground; pool, small playground, basketball court and volley ball. Would most definitely stay again.

  • J
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Courtois Creek Dispersed

    Not gatekeeping this place.

    I don't live anywhere near here so I'm not going to keep this place a secret. The other reviews make this place seem terrible. I drive a Toyota Highlander and I did the road with no problem. It is not an ATV trail! There was 1 big puddle and 1 sharp rocky turn that I just went slow through. No problem. Probably couldn't do it towing a camper though.

    We were the only people camping there until the next afternoon when a couple families came down with kids to swim and float. The water is amazing. Great for fly fishing and cast fishing.

    Can hear a road and trucks passing fairly nearby. Right across the water on top of a hill is a big house that was chainsawing the next morning but we never saw anyone.

    The dogs got to run and swim.

    Obviously, no bathrooms, electricity or amenities but not far from a town.

    Try it out, it's beautiful.


Guide to Ellington

Camping near Ellington, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Hawn State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The park was very clean and family-friendly. There are several hiking trails and an overlook."
  • Fishing: Head to Montauk State Park Campground for some of the best trout fishing in the state. A visitor shared, "Best trout fishing in the state."
  • Caving: Visit Onondaga Cave State Park Campground for a unique experience. One reviewer said, "Onondaga Cave is amazing with the new lighting."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Sam A. Baker State Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained, and the signs were very clear."
  • Friendly staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the campground hosts. At Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, a camper said, "The camp host was nice and the river was also very nice."
  • Scenic views: Campers love the natural beauty surrounding the campgrounds. A review for Echo Bluff State Park highlighted, "The park boasts a stunning blend of scenic beauty, recreational activities, and comfortable amenities."

What you should know:

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Montauk State Park Campground mentioned, "No connection for any data at our campsite."
  • Crowded on weekends: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during holidays. A review for Hawn State Park Campground warned, "The sites are in close proximity to one another so it gets crowded during holiday weekends."
  • Reservations recommended: It’s a good idea to book your spot in advance, especially on weekends. A camper at Alley Spring Campground said, "Reservations recommended, especially on weekends."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for children. One family at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground enjoyed, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles."
  • Plan for meals: Bring food that’s easy to cook. A camper at Montauk State Park Campground shared, "We didn’t eat at the lodge. It looked decent, but my favorite part of camping is cooking and eating at the site."
  • Explore nature: Encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors. A visitor at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park mentioned, "The shut-ins were right down the road or you could walk or bike the paved path all the way there."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A review for Big Spring Campground noted, "Nice paved site a bit on the small side."
  • Electric hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups. A camper at Washington State Park Campground said, "Easy plug n play electric on a 30 amp box, no issues with blowing fuses."
  • Dump station availability: Be aware of dump station locations and hours. A visitor at Montauk State Park Campground mentioned, "Dump station backs up for up to an hour on Sundays."

Camping near Ellington, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Ellington, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Ellington, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Ellington, MO and 20 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Ellington, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ellington, MO is Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ellington, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Ellington, MO.

What parks are near Ellington, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Ellington, MO that allow camping, notably Clearwater Lake and Ozark National Scenic Riverways.