Best Campgrounds near Benton, MO

Searching for the best camping near Benton, MO? Benton is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Benton, Missouri (87)

    1. General Watkins Conservation Area

    6 Reviews
    Oran, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5730

    "Sites are only a few miles from our house, we use it to test out new gear (hammocks)

    General Watkins has a good amount of ponds (great fishing) and has a few good walking/ small hiking trails."

    "There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon."

    2. Hinton RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Benton, MO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 471-1457

    "Our only hiccup was we passed it first time driving by so look closely for the entrance. Veterans discount. We would 100% stay again if we needed to."

    "This little RV Park is not far off the highway and it was easy to find. Staff was nice and friendly. Each space has full hookups and its own picnic table."

    3. Horseshoe Lake Alexander County

    4 Reviews
    Olive Branch, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 776-5689

    "Lake is more of a swamp with cypress trees, very pretty. Showers dated but clean. They are multiple stalls.

    Of note, there is not much around in the way of stores."

    4. Trail of Tears State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    McClure, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5268

    "Due to the pandemic, only one host has volunteered for Trail of Tears."

    "PRO 

    Senior discount saving $6 

    Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Very friendly and helpful camp host 

    Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River 

    Great dark sky viewing 

    No highway"

    5. Bean Ridge Pond Campground

    3 Reviews
    McClure, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    "There are only two camp site at this location and they are very close to each other. The camp sites are also very narrow."

    6. Magnolia Campground & Country Store

    2 Reviews
    Benton, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 475-8991

    $40 / night

    "Road noise from nearby I‑57 noted. Felt $40/night was a bit high.

    CatTrailzz (24 Jul 2024)

    Quiet despite being near the freeway. Loves the deli (noting salads and pulled pork)."

    7. The Landing Point RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 334-7878

    "Water park close by (5 minute drive) that was great for the kids on a hot day. Camping spots was all nice and level. looked like all the spots was full hook ups."

    "There is a big grassy area in the middle of the loop of wanting to play games and run around."

    8. Cape Camping & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 332-8888

    "There was a public paved walking trail along the back of the CG, which was very nice to walk the dogs. There was also a 2 acre fishing pond for CG residents to use."

    9. Cypress Creek RV Park

    1 Review
    Benton, MO
    14 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    10. The Landing Point RV Park

    1 Review
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 803-9343

    $45 / night

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Recent Reviews near Benton, MO

383 Reviews of 87 Benton Campgrounds


  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Dutchman Lake Camp

    Great stop for the night

    We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There’s a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles, but someone was already parked there and we didn’t want to disturb them and also wanted our privacy. There a space for a vehicle to pull off and walk around some boulders to set up a camp, complete with a fire ring. Some bike-packers were already set up there. Close to the lake there is another spot for one or two vehicles. The lake surface had a lot of bug activity - no thanks! We ended up choosing a grassy space next to the curve in the road in between our neighbors. Very peaceful! No bugs.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Lake Girardeau Campground

    Clean and free

    Stayed here in September. Had the campground to myself. It's run by Missouri Dept. of Conservation so there's no charge. Each site has concrete picnic tables, grill and lantern hook.

  • Pam H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Donaldson Point Conservation Area Camping

    Nice river view

    Stayed from Sunday tho Tuesday. Very pretty sunset views. Area was flat and sandy.. very sandy.
    The cons: Trash everywhere Bugs were bad Hard to get down to the water.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • A
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Lake Perry Campground

    His Website is a Total Lie

    I had a Reservation for a month long stay. I get there and he said that he would have to guide me to the Site. He guided me for sure right into another Camper. It did over $3,000.00 Dollars of Damage to my Camper. I don't know what the Claims Adjuster paid for Damages to the Camper that the Campground Owner guided me into. His sites are not 25-40 feet wide and 35-100 feet long. If the campsites were that big, the owner wouldn't have had to guide me to my site. I'm going to get a Lawyer and Sue the Campground for all of my Damages to my Camper and the Camper the owner guided me into.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park

    Pontoon Tour Offered by the State Park WAS WORTH IT!

    Did a 2 hour pontoon tour offered at the TN State Park Visitor Center (https://tnstateparks.com/parks/reelfoot-lake). Guide was excellent. Neat to see a bald cypress in one of TN's only 2 natural lakes. The history of Reelfoot is interesting, parts of the tour feel like you are in a cypress swamp, not a lake. Saw 10 bald eagles, osprey, egret, blue heron. Worth the price and time!

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Columbus-Belmont State Park

    Nice, clean campground, back sites have sewer, be prepared to level out.

    Stayed here for 2 nights at site 25 on the back side of the campground. The back sites have sewer. These sites were paved, but not level, so be prepared to level. TIP: If using those yellow camco "lego" block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them. My daughter used the bathhouse, and she said it was not good. Leaky, standing water. The park was awesome, which made the bathhouse an oddity. The little snack shack over by the chain was a nice evening diversion of ice cream and funnel fries. The camp host couple was wonderful. The park is clean and well maintained.

  • Kayla M.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Ridge Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    Great campground

    Love it here, it’s got tons of campsites to choose from. Fees are very reasonable, and 30A & 50A options available. Fishing & boating close by. Laundry at restrooms.

  • Scott B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great stop for the night.

    We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.


Guide to Benton

Camping near Benton, MO, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. 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 Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding," highlighting the variety of trails available.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy the Saint Francis River and Big Creek. One camper mentioned, "The big creek is spring-fed and ice cold," making it perfect for a refreshing dip.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife. A visitor shared, "We even had a deer run through our campsite while we sat fireside!"

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One review noted, "Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained," which is a big plus for many.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A camper remarked, "We like Campground 2 on the gravel side because it’s nice and quiet."
  • Friendly Staff: Camp hosts are often highlighted for their helpfulness. One visitor said, "The camp host was nice and the river was also very nice," showing that the staff contributes to a positive experience.

What you should know

  • Tight Campsites: Some campgrounds have close quarters. A camper at Trail of Tears State Park Campground mentioned, "Sites that back to the river are very close to each other."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. One review stated, "The campground is a little rundown, but still nice," indicating that some facilities may need updates.
  • Train Noise: If you camp near the river, be prepared for train sounds. A visitor noted, "There are lots of trains, day and night," which might be a concern for light sleepers.

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with shallow water areas. One family shared, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles," making it safe for younger kids.
  • Rentals Available: If you forget gear, some campgrounds offer rentals. A camper mentioned, "When you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes, you can rent them there."
  • Nature Centers: Check out nature centers for educational activities. One reviewer said, "We like Campground 2 because it’s close to the nature center," which can be a fun stop for kids.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. One camper at Shawnee Forest Campground noted, "Well maintained, big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A visitor mentioned, "The electric/water sites were much better than the 'tent' sites."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of road conditions leading to campgrounds. One RV traveler said, "The road getting there does vary in surfaces but our van made it fine," indicating that some roads may be rough.

Camping near Benton, MO, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the specific campground details and reviews to find the best fit for your adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Benton, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Benton, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 87 campgrounds and RV parks near Benton, MO and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Benton, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Benton, MO is General Watkins Conservation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Benton, MO.