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Bennett Springs has good camping both within the state park and at several spots nearby. Bennett Springs State Park runs campgrounds with clean bathrooms, hot showers, and a staffed information center where you can get fishing licenses. The park draws many fishermen who come for the daily trout stocking in the Niangua River. If you drive about 45 minutes, you'll reach Lake of the Ozarks State Park, which has large, well-spaced sites that work for everything from small tents to bigger RVs. The park connects to hiking paths and the lake for swimming and boating. Some campsites sit close together while others have trees between them for more quiet. Trees cover many of the camping areas, which helps when Missouri summer temperatures climb into the 90s. Most people camp here in April-May or September-October when the weather stays comfortable. Summer gets very humid, so bring extra water and sunscreen if you visit then. Winter camping works at some sites, but many water pipes get shut off after the first freeze. Families should check which campgrounds have playgrounds or beach areas. Always call ahead about seasonal changes since some areas close for maintenance. Bennett Springs camping puts you right by the water, forest trails, and day trip options.
"Bennett Springs is my favorite place to camp. We always go for kids weekend."
"Although we did not fish, we thoroughly enjoyed our family hike up around the spring and watching all of the trout being caught."
from $15 - $48 / night
Check Availability"It offers direct access to the Niangua River, and it is only a short drive from Bennett Springs State Park, where you can fly fish and pull trout from the river from dawn until dusk. "
"Right next door to Bennett Springs, which is awesome trout fishing!!"
from $250 / night
Check Availability"Close access to the river and Bennett Springs."
"One of my top 3 campsites to visit in Missouri. Through the warm season visit at least once a month. Good clean facilities, great staff who are friendly, respectful and fun to laugh with."
"It’s still very family friendly and even during the COVID outbreak, they remained positive and helpful."
"The cabins don’t look like much from the outside, but inside they are wonderful. Showers were hot and the campground is clean and quiet. Perfect for families."
"Driving through Missouri needed a quiet place to stay. We stayed at Honey Berry Hideout, it has metal fire ring and grill."
"Brendan and Teresa are an adotable young couple who are transforming a large area in the midst of Missouri farm country into a small black- and blueberry farm that includes a small RV camp."
from $7 - $48 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Right off the highway so yo do have some noise. Friendly staff who will shuttle you to the local craft brewery up the road. We walked to the brewery and stayed here again on our return route."
"Walking trails."
from $40 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Didn't have any problems with the people around us but we were in the family area. Now camping is free if you float with them and it does get crowded on the weekends."
"Lake of the Ozarks State Park campground is located in Kaiser Missouri about 5 miles down highway 134 off of highway 42. This campground is about 1.5 hour from Columbia and Springfield Missouri."
"We stayed close to the river in the primitive area and the deer were all over. These deer were super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them. "
from $15 - $50 / night
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GuideThis is a wonderful camping spot. There is only 2 tables and fire pits, but plenty of open space to fit multiple tents and parking. There is absolutely 0 service for any provider. We had multiple people with all different providers and none of us had service.
TravelerHubby and I just got a new camper and wanted to test it out close to home. This campground was one of the few that had 50 amp electric and water hookups with a dump station near a lake on short notice. Camp sites are close together but don't feel crowded. Nice level sites with lots of added patio areas on most. Very close to the lake. The cove is all a no wake area with a beach and plenty of space to kayak or paddle board. Definitely adding this to our lists of favorites!
ScoutI have a pull behind trailer. Big lots that pull through.
ScoutLovely setting right by Osage river. Quite a few full time residents but still very nice. Great pool. Bathrooms and showers well kept. Laundry $2 per wash or dry.
GuideWe stopped here for one night on a trip home to Texas from Iowa. The hosts are very kind and helped us get backed in to our spot and set up. Lots of nice amenities and activities! It’s tucked back nicely so it feels very secluded.
GuideHost was not aware of our reservation with The Dyrt but was welcoming just the same. (even gave us fresh baked brownies as welcoming gift). We were just passing through and got a peaceful place to sleep. There's many play options like swimming hole, axe throwing, horseshoe throwing, dart throwing, pool table, etc.
TravelerGood space between sites giving nice privacy. Very helpful staff. Great spot for anglers.
TravelerBeautiful place, has river float drop point and pick up with kayak and raft rentals. Only reason 4 stars is the very steep grade going down to the main camping area thats on a curve. They did atleast pave the uphill side but definitely need to make sure your brakes are good.
ScoutGreat Off the beaten path location. Open layout camping spaces, with cleared out areas. Rv no problem, just know seals rd is the least hill rd for heavier rv’s or trailers.
Water from a spring or a well pump with easy access.
Great place to bring your utv.
Bennett Spring State Park offers year-round camping with four distinct campground loops containing 143 sites across 3,216 acres. Located in the Ozark Mountains region at approximately 900 feet elevation, the area combines limestone bluffs with dense oak-hickory forests. Water temperatures in the spring-fed Niangua River stay cool year-round, ranging from 52-58°F even during summer months.
Fishing beyond trout: Bennett Spring State Park Campground sits along the Niangua River with opportunities for fishing outside the main spring branch. "This park is one of Missouri's 'trout parks' with a hatchery and release sites so fishing (which actually becomes catching) is a big draw. Bennett Spring is so serious about their fishing they even have a trout cam so you can watch other anglers testing their skills," notes Nancy W.
Hiking on varied trails: The park features over 20 miles of trails with different difficulty levels. "The park has over twenty miles of hiking trails meandering through its 3,216 acres. Trails range from a leisurely walk along the stream to that of rigorous mountain trails that reward hikers with great picturesque views of the Ozark Mountains," explains a camper from Bennett Spring State Park.
Water activities: The Niangua River provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. "The river was simply stunning, and one evening we enjoyed a live band that got everyone smiling and tapping their feet," reports a visitor to Bennett Spring Campground & Float Trips. Many outfitters provide equipment rentals and shuttle services for river floats ranging from 4 to 10 miles.
Concrete pads for setup: Hidden Valley Outfitters features well-designed camping spots. "RV full hookups are great, EZ in EZ setup and EZ out.... The New Country Camp Store is very nice, you can get pizzas to go, eat em at the river or ur camper," says Kent F. The campground has recently added concrete pads for RVs.
Clean facilities: Campground owners maintain high standards for bathrooms and other amenities. A visitor to Riverfront Campground and Canoe notes, "The staff is great and the campground is beautiful. It offers direct access to the Niangua River, and it is only a short drive from Bennett Springs State Park, where you can fly fish and pull trout from the river from dawn until dusk."
Swimming access: Many campgrounds offer gravel bars and beach areas for cooling off. "The river has a couple nice gravel bars for swimming. All the RV sites are electric/water so you have to use the on site dump station," reports Ken K. about Riverfront Campground. Swimming options range from natural river access points to the Olympic-sized pool at Bennett Spring State Park.
Seasonal water service: Water systems shut down during winter. "Winter camping works at some sites, but be aware that water spigots are turned off after the first freeze," explains a regular visitor. Vault toilets remain open year-round at most parks while full service restrooms typically close from November through March.
Camping near water: Mountain Creek Campground offers sites along the river. "This place is great for a family camping trip. Lots of activities. You can rent tubes, canoes, or rafts, and float down the river. You can float as long as 10 miles, or as few as 4 (maybe even less)," says Dasha D.
Site selection strategy: Campgrounds vary widely in privacy and layout. "Campground one is in a flat spot down by the water and it is actually rather open and built for large rigs to fit in. If it was full I imagine it would be crowded and not much privacy," explains a winter visitor to Bennett Spring State Park.
Water slide access: Some campgrounds offer special features for kids. A visitor to Mountain Creek describes, "There is a water slide that's so fun. The staff are all super friendly, and the campground is always well kept. No trash around, and bathrooms are always clean."
Biking opportunities: Paved roads in some campgrounds make cycling easier for children. "The roads are all paved so it made biking for our kids easy and enjoyable. The campsite was spacious and shaded. The kids loved playing in the creek and hiking the trails," notes Amanda R. about Bennett Spring State Park.
Activity options: B Berry Farms & Co. provides unique family experiences. "This place has everything from axe throwing to free coffee and the property is engineered and planned very nicely," says Joshua P. Many families appreciate the variety of recreation choices within walking distance of camping areas.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra work to level larger rigs. "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 (no 'excessive slope' error)," reports Angela M. from B Berry Farms.
Reservation timing: Popular full-hookup sites fill quickly during peak season. "Campground 1... very nice with water, sewer, and electric. Water on April 15. Nice level spots, but very little shade in Campground 1. Reserve early as it fills up fast!" advises Collette about Bennett Spring State Park.
Connectivity considerations: Wi-Fi and cell service vary widely between campgrounds. "You can make reservations online before going to ensure you have the spot you want. We were surprised when we found that there was Wi-Fi available for free at the campground," notes a winter visitor to Bennett Spring State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available at Bennett Springs State Park?
Bennett Spring State Park Campground offers a variety of camping options for visitors. The state park features multiple campground areas with water and electric hookups suitable for travel trailers and RVs of various sizes. Campsites are reservable, and the park is popular for its fishing amenities, particularly trout fishing. The park includes facilities for sanitizing water tanks and provides easy access to hiking trails around the spring. While primarily known as a fishing destination, Bennett Springs State Park provides a family-friendly camping environment with necessary amenities for an enjoyable outdoor experience.
Where can I find campgrounds near Bennett Springs, Missouri?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Bennett Springs, Missouri. Fishing Tales Resort offers clean accommodations with a seasonal saltwater pool and hot tub, just a short distance from Bennett Springs State Park. Riverfront Campground and Canoe provides direct access to the Niangua River with sites that wind along the riverbank, offering various camping options including new full-service sites in the upper level. Other nearby options include Hidden Valley Outfitters with close river access, and Lebanon - Bennett Spring KOA with typical KOA amenities though sites are somewhat close together.
Is there a map available for Bennett Springs State Park campground?
Yes, maps for Bennett Spring State Park Campground are available. You can obtain detailed campground maps showing the layout of campsites, facilities, and amenities from several sources. The Missouri State Parks website provides official downloadable maps of Bennett Springs State Park, including its campground areas. Physical maps are also available at the park's store and visitor center when you arrive. These maps indicate campsite numbers (such as the mentioned campsite number two), location of facilities, hiking trails around the spring, and fishing areas. Having a map is particularly helpful for navigating this popular park and finding the best spots for various activities.
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