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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
