Campgrounds near Benton, Missouri range from family-friendly RV parks to specialized glamping destinations with yurts and safari-style tents. The southeast Missouri region sits at elevations between 300-400 feet above sea level, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Fall camping offers colorful foliage displays while spring brings wildflowers along hiking trails that wind through the region's mixed hardwood forests.
What to do
Fishing and water recreation: Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort offers a small lake with sandy beaches for swimming. One camper notes, "Lake has sandy beaches. Small playset in the water for kids," making it ideal for families with younger children.
Hiking trails: Giant City State Park Campground provides access to numerous trails through unique rock formations. A visitor shared, "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders. Easy drive to many other picturesque and unique parks."
Rock climbing: For adventurous campers seeking yurt camping near Benton, Missouri, climbing opportunities exist within driving distance. A reviewer at Giant City explains, "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else."
Walking paths: Some campgrounds feature dedicated walking trails. At Shawnee Forest Campground, "there are paved trails around the large CG area, which made it nice to walk our dogs" and another camper highlighted it's "on a former golf course. Has the old golf cart paths as walking/biking paths!"
What campers like
Comfortable yurt accommodations: The Art Farm Women's Retreat offers specialized yurt camping near Benton, Missouri with multiple accommodation options. A camper described, "Lots of choice camping spots! Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland, just minutes from town. They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets."
Clean facilities: Perryville RV Resort receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. Multiple campers highlighted this aspect with comments like "Such a clean campground!! There are a ton of big trees and it is really shady" and "The park is clean and well maintained. They put in a new swimming pool in this past summer."
Abundant shade: Several campgrounds feature mature trees providing cooling shade during hot Missouri summers. As one Perryville guest noted, "Great place to go. Lots of shade and always clean. Has a nice pool."
Proximity to attractions: Campsites around Benton provide good bases for regional exploration. A Giant City visitor mentioned, "Easy drive to many other picturesque and unique parks (i.e. Garden of the Gods, Ferne Clyffe), and easy drive into town if you want something more civilized."
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds sit close to interstate highways. At Boomland RV Park & Campground, a camper noted it's "nice for $15 easy pull in, full hook ups, nice gift shop and gas really close as right off the freeway. No extra amenities." Similarly, a Perryville visitor warned, "It is right off from the interstate, so there is some noise."
Limited amenities at budget sites: Budget-friendly camping options may offer fewer facilities. The Boomland RV Park reviewer specifically mentioned "No extra amenities" despite the affordable $15 rate.
Site terrain variations: Campsites can have uneven terrain in some locations. At Shawnee Forest Campground, a reviewer noted, "The sites are loose gravel and not level front to back, so you need to unhook."
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions. A Giant City State Park camper suggested it's "perfect for spring or autumn" due to the weather conditions in southern Illinois.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation for kids: Some campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. Perryville RV Resort includes "Playground was fun and safe. Lake for fishing" according to one family. Another mentioned their "new swimming pool" and a "jump pad (trampoline)."
Budget-friendly options: Camping sites with basic amenities offer affordable getaways. Whippoorwill Lake provides tent camping and cabins with simple features: "It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room."
Privacy considerations: Some campgrounds have tightly spaced sites that may affect family comfort. A Perryville visitor cautioned, "Spots are tight (wouldn't want to be here when the park is full)."
Themed events: Fredrock Glampground and seasonal decorations make camping more engaging for children. A Perryville camper noted the campground was "Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when setting up. At Shawnee Forest Campground, "The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice."
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies between campgrounds. A Shawnee Forest camper reported, "Their WiFi was very good. We got two bars on Verizon."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. One RVer at Shawnee Forest noted, "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps."
Site selection strategy: Ask for specific sites if you have preferences. An experienced Shawnee Forest camper advised, "There are some nice sites in this CG but we were not offered one of the better ones even though there were plenty of sites open in the upper 26-50 site area. If we come back, we'll know where to ask for a site."
