Glamping options close to Brumley, Missouri are situated in the heart of Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks region, which spans over 54,000 acres with 1,150 miles of shoreline. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 650-700 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak camping months. The area experiences significant seasonal variation, with most campgrounds operating at full capacity between May and September.
What to do
Trout fishing at spring-fed streams: Bennett Spring State Park Campground offers premium trout fishing opportunities with daily stockings. "This is the third time staying here. This time wife and I took our small camper just to get away for the weekend. We stayed in campground one because it is the only one open during the off season," notes Nathan P. The park maintains over 20 miles of hiking trails through 3,216 acres of Ozark landscape.
Float trips on local rivers: Visitors can arrange float trips ranging from 4-14 miles on the Niangua River. "Everyone was nice that worked there. Didn't have any problems with the people around us but we were in the family area. The Grub Bucket was really good but is only at the party area," shares Kris S. about Niangua River Oasis, where camping is complimentary with float trip purchases.
Water recreation on Lake of the Ozarks: Multiple access points allow for boating, swimming, and fishing at one of Missouri's largest lakes. McCubbins Point provides direct lake access with boat ramps. The location features "Public boat ramp nice cooking spots," according to Larry M., though visitors should note facilities are basic compared to more developed glamping sites close to Brumley, Missouri.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront camping: Pittsburg Area Campground at Pomme de Terre State Park offers lakeside sites with private water access. "Each site in the electric loop has a private path to the waters edge. Sites viewable by map next to water. There were a few bugs but nothing too bad," notes Josh S. about the Pittsburgh Loop area.
Peaceful forest settings: Lane Spring Recreation Area provides a quiet natural environment away from crowds. "I stayed the night here in late April, and it was absolutely gorgeous. The campground is in the middle of a forest with a large creek running around it. It was springtime and everything was so green, there were wildflowers popping up all over the place," shares Erin, who appreciated the soothing sound of the creek behind her site.
Pool access during summer months: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. "The setup between restrooms and water with the sites are appropriate for accessibility. Good room and nice level areas where we stayed in the 400 loop," reports Kevin C. about his experience at Pittsburg Area Campground, which maintains both water access and other recreational facilities.
What you should know
Military affiliation requirements: Some premium camping locations have restricted access. "Absolutely hidden gem on the lake available for military (active/retired/DAV). Has full hookups, big rig friendly and has a large array of boats you can rent. A little difficult to get to it and fairly far from towns but it's worth it," explains Paul S. about Military Park Fort Leonard Wood Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area.
Varying road conditions: Access roads to some glamping sites near Brumley can be challenging, especially after rain. "The bus ride down to the river is terrifying because most of the road is washed out with a huge rut down the middle," warns Amanda M. about transportation to float launch points at Niangua River Oasis.
Seasonal operation schedules: Most glamping operations run from April through October. "Very nice, clean and quiet. We are here in the middle of October waiting for the leaves to turn. Good access to the Lake of the Ozarks," notes Teri H. about seasonal camping at Linn Creek KOA, when fall colors become a major attraction.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Several sites offer child-friendly amenities. "Great place to take the family. 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," shares Amanda R. about her experience at Bennett Spring State Park Campground.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some campgrounds have quieter family sections separated from party areas. "We did drive down to the water where the party camping is and was super packed," notes Kris S., contrasting the family camping area at Niangua River Oasis with the waterfront party section.
Check campground layout for biking opportunities: Paved roads at some campgrounds make for safe family cycling. "This state park is one of most beautiful in the region. The campground is layered with four different section for plenty of room to spread out. The best part about this park is there is something to do for the whole family," says Chad K. about Bennett Spring State Park.
Tips from RVers
Consider the seasonal traffic noise: Highway proximity affects some RV sites. "Spacious and mostly level sites, which is outstanding as this park is on face of a hill. We stayed in march so leaves are off the trees and could hear road noise. Very nice stay," mentions Charles A. about staying at Linn Creek KOA.
Look for level sites with good hookups: RV site quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "We stayed in campground one because it is the only one open during the off season. 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," explains Nathan P. about Bennett Spring's RV-friendly area.
Check road conditions within campgrounds: Some sites have challenging interior roads. "Very small and the spots are pretty tight. Felt like we were sharing our campfire with the neighbors," notes Russ G. about Lebanon - Bennett Spring KOA, highlighting the importance of researching site spacing when glamping near Brumley with larger rigs.
