Campgrounds near Bourbon, Missouri offer riverside access to the Meramec and Huzzah waterways with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet. The area receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest surroundings and reliable water flows for summer floating. Most campgrounds maintain operating seasons from March through November, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Cave exploration tours: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers access to extensive limestone cave systems with guided tours lasting approximately 90 minutes. "The cave tour is really cool although a little pricey. All in all its a fantastic little hideaway," notes Randy H., who recommends calling ahead to check water levels that occasionally affect cave access.
Zipline adventures: Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort provides treetop adventures with their high ropes course. "My family also enjoy the Floating Trees ropes course. It was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed," reports Joy F.
Hiking accessible trails: Multiple hiking options span from beginner to moderate difficulty on the Berryman Trail & Campgrounds within Mark Twain National Forest. "The trails there were one of a kind and the best looking trails I've seen and walked on after going on trips to almost half the country. The 100 foot tall pine trees really make Mark Twain National Forest amazing," states Jake K.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Huzzah Valley Resort maintains well-kept bathhouses for campers. "Cleanest showers and bathrooms so far this summer! The only confusing thing was the camping lots there was a little confusing over have the lost were separated but the security helps us and another group get it all sorted out with out issues," writes Allie A.
River access for cooling off: Campsites with direct river access provide natural swimming areas during summer months. "Great access to river. Stayed on the family side and had a great time. Staff super helpful and upbeat, everyone looked like they wanted to ACTUALLY be there," reports Matt about his stay at Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested campgrounds harbor diverse wildlife. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," shares Tom K. about his experience at Meramec State Park Campground.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty or non-existent cellular coverage. "The campground is great. Most of the sites are flat and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," warns Mats about Meramec State Park Campground.
Campsite spacing considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Onondaga Cave State Park Campground, "The basic campsites are right by the water too, just walk down a short path and boom! Numerous beautiful paths with nice variation in lengths and gorgeous views," reports Julia M.
Weekend crowding patterns: Popular floating seasons bring larger crowds, especially on weekends. "This place is near STL I imagine it's popular. I'm hesitant to return during busy season. Although there would be more float options, I imagine it would be very loud at night with lots of young drunk people," notes Nathan P. about Huzzah Valley Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Riverside camping with amenities: Blue Spring Ranch offers family-friendly camping with multiple activities. "We have stayed at Blue Springs for three consecutive years in a row. We have children in tow, and love all of the amenities. We park close to the creek, we drive to the Meramec River and sometimes enjoy petting a horse or goat," shares Leslie G.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature ranger-led programs and nature tours. "Lots of ranger led educational programs," notes Lynn G. about Onondaga Cave State Park Campground, while also mentioning they're "close to Mark Twain National Forest and a few other natural areas."
Designated quiet areas: Some campgrounds separate quiet family areas from livelier sections. "Huge campground with a family side and a late night side. Lots of updates in the last 15 years," explains Jess Z. about Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort, making it easier for families to find appropriate camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Late arrival considerations: For RVers arriving after dark, well-lit campgrounds with easy check-in processes simplify setup. "We rolled into RV Self-Park late with our pup and loved how smooth the process was. Booking online was quick, the site was level, and everything was super easy—even after dark. It's well-lit, secure, and the hookups worked right on time," shares Amber C.
Site leveling preparations: Some campgrounds require additional leveling equipment for RVs. "The campsite was so unlevel my 1 year old couldnt even stand outside the camper without falling," reports Megan L. about her stay at Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort.
Buddy site availability: Multiple campgrounds offer specialized configurations for group camping. "We enjoyed the buddy sites so that our front doors faced our friends and the hookups were on the outside of each campsite. They also had group buddy sites that allowed four rigs to all front doors to face each other all being pull through sites," explains Joy F. about their experience at Ozark Outdoors.
Traveler
