Top Glamping near Cape Girardeau, MO

Camping near Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, offers a unique camping experience with its scenic views, historical significance, and diverse outdoor activities. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this area provides a perfect blend of nature and history, making it an ideal destination for campers of all types. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, the campgrounds near Cape Girardeau have something for everyone.

One of the standout campgrounds in this region is the Trail of Tears State Park Campground. This campground not only offers beautiful views of the Mississippi River but also provides a glimpse into the area's rich history. With a variety of amenities and activities, it's no wonder that campers frequently return to this spot.

What to do

Camping near Cape Girardeau offers a variety of activities to keep you entertained. From hiking and fishing to exploring historical sites, there's something for everyone.

The Trail of Tears State Park Campground is known for its scenic trails and historical significance. One camper, Kevin B., mentioned, "There is a lot of history and nearby Cape Girardeau is a very neat city to visit." You can also enjoy the Mississippi River Scenic Overlook, which offers stunning views of the river.

For those who enjoy hiking, the park has several trails that provide beautiful views and a chance to explore the local flora and fauna. Mark noted, "There are a number of hiking trails in the park. We only hiked one of them but the views in and around the lake were beautiful."

What campers like

Campers appreciate the natural beauty and amenities offered by the campgrounds near Cape Girardeau. The Trail of Tears State Park Campground is particularly popular for its scenic views and friendly camp hosts.

Napunani highlighted the unobstructed view of the Mississippi River, saying, "Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River. Great dark sky viewing." Chip K. also appreciated the location, stating, "The views of the river are great and my boys loved the trains going right by the camper."

The campground's amenities, such as full hook-ups and clean facilities, are also well-received. Kevin B. mentioned, "Electric and water. Great short term camping."

What you should know

While camping near Cape Girardeau offers many benefits, there are a few things you should be aware of to ensure a pleasant experience.

The proximity to the train tracks can be a downside for some campers. Chip K. warned, "Train goes right behind the campground, be warned!" Similarly, Desiree k. noted, "Downside is there is also a train track and yes my son loved those too but at night they are loud."

Another point to consider is the tight spacing of the campsites along the river. Napunani mentioned, "Sites that back to the river very close to each other. We stepped out our door onto the neighbors stinky slinky."

Tips for camping with families

Camping with families near Cape Girardeau can be a rewarding experience, especially with the variety of activities available for kids and adults alike.

The Trail of Tears State Park Campground offers a playground and plenty of woods for exploring, making it a great spot for families. Desiree k. shared, "The campground was great and had lots of woods for exploring and nearby playground and the barges came up and down river all night."

For a fun dining experience, consider visiting local restaurants. Napunani recommended, "Tractors Restaurant Main Street Jackson very good diner type restaurant."

Tips from RVers

RVers will find the campgrounds near Cape Girardeau accommodating, but there are a few tips to keep in mind for a smooth stay.

The Trail of Tears State Park Campground offers full hook-ups, but some sites may have unique challenges. Napunani advised, "Sewer connection was high above ground so drainage was up hill. Camp host warned us upon arrival we may need to use dump station to get tanks totally drained."

Additionally, the electrical utility connection may be on the passenger side of some campsites. Napunani noted, "Electrical utility connection is on passenger side of the campsite#6."

Overall, camping near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, provides a memorable experience with its beautiful scenery, historical significance, and variety of activities. Whether you're camping with family or in an RV, the campgrounds in this area offer something for everyone.

Best Glamping Sites Near Cape Girardeau, MO (12)

    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground

    1.

    Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    165 Photos
    136 Saves
    Makanda, Illinois
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
  1. 2.

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    32 Reviews
    55 Photos
    188 Saves
    Vienna, Illinois

    Located in the Middle of Southern Illinois just Off I-24 it is a great place to stay while you explore all the the Shawnee Forest. From Giant City to Garden of the Gods. The Tunnel Hill bike trail is a half mile away and Cache River is just down the road. We have 60 Full Hook up sites. Large pull through sites up to 120 feet long. We have Shower Houses and Laundry Facilities. Our Campground is Open Year Round.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $40 / night

  2. 3.

    Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney

    11 Reviews
    9 Photos
    53 Saves
    Perryville, Missouri

    Who says you can’t have fun in a small midwestern town? In Perryville, MO, there’s plenty of history to experience and fun to be had. You can expect no less at Perryville RV Resort by R Journey. Located off Lake Drive on KOA Lane, our resort park is accessible via Interstate 55 to the south and Highway T to the north. Get ready to make memories and reconnect with family and friends with our selection of family-friendly activities and events. If you’ve been pining for a midwestern getaway, look no further than Perryville RV Resort.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    4.

    Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    6 Reviews
    5 Photos
    47 Saves
    Bargerville, Illinois
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
      Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley

      6.

      Huzzah Valley

      11 Reviews
      16 Photos
      22 Saves
      Patterson, Missouri
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access

      $11 - $65 / night

      Camper-submitted photo from Boomland RV Park & Campground
      • No image available

        8.

        Mandolin Grove

        1 Review
        Mason, Illinois
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • Tents
        • Cabins
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground

        9.

        Oak Point Campground

        8 Reviews
        27 Photos
        75 Saves
        Grantsburg, Illinois
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access
        Camper-submitted photo from Sharp Rock Falls Recreation

        10.

        Sharp Rock Falls Recreation

        1 Review
        1 Photo
        Ava, Illinois
        • RVs
        • Tents
        • Group
        • Cabins
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Tent Cabin
      Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

      Recent Glamping Reviews In Cape Girardeau

      97 Reviews of 12 Cape Girardeau Campgrounds


      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        June 16, 2024

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Great place to camp!

        We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
        May 6, 2024

        Oak Point Campground

        Nice national park campground

        Location is everything and this is well in the middle of a great area in Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the gods, Bell Smith springs, Ferne State park, and on and on. You can spend a week here and not see everything.
        There are primitive and electric (with water) sites. There are no sites with sewer hookup. There is a dump station at the entrance.

        Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front. There are some lake front spots that can be had. Sites are first come and there are no reservations taken. During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.

        Large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles.

        Shower houses are kept clean, but as of this posting, they need some maintenance work.

        All in all, this is a must stop if you want to enjoy what the area has to offer.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Sharp Rock Falls Recreation
        April 4, 2024

        Sharp Rock Falls Recreation

        Longbranch Shooting House And Saloon

        You're welcome to at longbranch! Please make your reservations.
        Only 16 spots left!

        Ava Illinois +1 618-318-6734 Text your name and number of people on your campsite to reserve your spot.

        The Solar Eclipse Event "PARK @ THE MOON"

        Extended or early arrivals welcome. Just simply request more information in the text. We will get ahold of asap with a more information and a confirmation number.

        #ShareThisPost #solareclipse2024

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        March 18, 2024

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Great Place!

        Stayed here on the way to and from Florida (home in Minnesota). Very nice campground. Well maintained, big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel, great sunrise/sunset views, and the bathrooms are very clean and well lite. The gentleman/host that greeted us at the office upon arrival was polite and helpful. Will definitely stay again!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
        February 23, 2024

        Giant City State Park Campground

        Great trails and well kept campsites

        We stayed at Giant City in February on a very cold weekend. It was still a fantastic trip! The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel. Definitely visit the Lodge!!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        October 29, 2023

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Suburb Camping

        Came to this campsite with my boyfriend and I as well as our two dogs. We were in spot 51, we have a large 8 person tent and need water & electricity so we rent out RV spots instead of the typical tent spots. When we arrived after our 15 hour drive, someone decided to park in our site. Once they moved we were able to start putting up our tent which was on a hill so we were slanted throughout the night. A family rented out the entire rest of the cul-de-sac, which isn’t the parks fault, but they claimed the pavilion and surrounding area. I would call this more of “suburb camping” because there are hardly any trees for privacy, large open fields of grass, and you are 2 minutes from the highway, food, and gas stations. It is only a single bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower instead of any stalls. They provide WiFi that did not work for us, we had better connection with our cellular data. No garbages anywhere in the campsite, thankfully we had our own garbage bags and tossed it in the dumpster before we left. It was fine to crash for one night, but I wouldn’t want to stay here for an extended period of time.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        October 23, 2023

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Quiet, Peacefull, Friendly

        This was one of the best I have stayed out. I met some nice people, Manager helped me get my electric set up, (user error), Facilities clean and very nice, roads and park well taken care of..

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        October 7, 2023

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Close to home, will be back

        Easy access, very clean facilities and lots to do and see nearby, friendly service. The constant interstate noise is a bit annoying

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        June 18, 2023

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Very clean and well kept - new campground

        This campground is very clean! Large open sites- shade is minimal for most sites but we had a beautiful large site with some shade (site 51). They have new trees planted.

        There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area

        Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property

        Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!

        There is some freeway noise but didn’t bother us at all

        Laundry and bathroom facilities were very clean - was great to do a laundry mid trip!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        May 7, 2023

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Full Hookup Value

        There are numerous state park campgrounds in the area, but we stayed here for the full Hookups and available wifi. Just of I-24, was a plus as well. We did hear traffic noise from the interstate, but it was tolerable. Showers were clean. With a discount from this app, we saved $16 off our stay. Close by are dining options and a dollar general.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
        April 18, 2023

        Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

        Early April Nice Weather

        We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week. The 2 nearest to us we saw on Sunday (Easter) and the only 1 more time during the 5 days. Someone in one of the sites by the late (A9, A11 or A13 I think) said they saw snakes but we never saw any and our dogs would have noticed.

        Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are no new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water.

        Lots of trails (within 10-30 minute drive). Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie). Went into Carbondale a few times. Also went South to Alto Pass but wineries all closed on Tuesday; locals told us they are open more hours during summer.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        November 20, 2022

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Plain and Average

        Easy in/out, reasonable rates, but pretty plain. Used to be a golf course, so few spots have any trees that could provide shade as of 2022. Host was nice, matter of fact and all business.

        Stayed here twice, once on the way out to Yellowstone, and once on the way back. The nearby town is small and kind of dumpy.

        Was fine for a one night stay. Giving it an average, 3 star rating.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
        July 24, 2022

        Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

        Cheap beautiful campground

        Cheap campground that is clean and quiet. The back in site we had overlooked the lake. For the price, you can’t beat the view. If I return to the area, I would stay here again

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        July 11, 2022

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Nice campground

        Easy access from interstate, full hook-ups, clean bathhouse and friendly camp hosts. Only stayed one night, quick stop on way home  but will definitely be back when we when head this way again.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
        June 7, 2022

        Giant City State Park Campground

        Great Camping

        Came here for a weekend getaway, to camp, hike and visit wineries, and was not disappointed. The campground is good, and camp hosts very friendly and helpful. Lots of trees for shade. Narrow roads with tight curves, along with the trees, made for a bit of a challenge. The hiking trails are beautiful, and not too crowded. There are many wineries within a short drive of the camp, which made for a fun afternoon. Really enjoyed our weekend here, and plan to return.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Huzzah Valley
        May 23, 2022

        Huzzah Valley

        Classic Float Trip Campground!

        Multiple weekends spent at this campsite, both with and without family.  RV sites are clean, mostly level, and well spaced out, with quiet hours rules to accommodate families.  The "Zoo" is for the younger and rowdier crowd, and is located north of HWY 8, away from the family-friendly sites, and has later quiet hours and is known for its party-like atmosphere.  Campers in this area are effectively "locked in" after a certain time, to prevent the rowdiness from spilling over after hours.  Amenities are plentiful, and the camp store is larger than most convenience stores you'd find on the highway.  Floating options are plentiful, with multiple routes and raft/canoe/tube options available.  Either float away from your campsite, with a shuttled return, or take the shuttle to the put-in, upstream, and float back to your campsite.  An annual tradition!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        April 25, 2022

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Very nice campground close to bike trails and Garden of the Gods

        Spacious and level sites with full hook-ups. The campground is convenient to all of the attractions in the area. There is easy access to the tunnel state trail in Vienna. It’s about a 9 mile ride to the tunnel. Be sure to visit Garden of the Gods. Really remarkable.

        We very much enjoyed our stay and will return!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        November 24, 2021

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        Georgious and Friendly

        Perfect place! You can go fishing (catch & release). Visit Garden of the Gods and much more! Friendly, helpful , clean and easy sites to pull into.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
        November 13, 2021

        Shawnee Forest Campground

        The Old Golf Course

        We camped with friends here for a long weekend. Sites were fairly flat. We had site 58 & 59. Lots of green space not many trees for shade. It was an old golf course which made great walking and bike trails. Kids loved that.

        Only complaint was the road noise. Great thing is it is right off the highway, bad thing is you can hear the Highway. 🤪

        We hiked in Little Grand Canyon. And ate at Giant City Lodge and played at the Castle park. This campground was a good location for those things. We plan on coming back to hike Garden if the Gods.

        Also it was nice that it was open year round. We camped in November and the shower house was working.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney
        September 28, 2021

        Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney

        Timber Run Camp Ground

        This is the 2nd time we have stayed here. August and September, 2021. The park is clean and well maintained. They put in a new swimming pool in this past summer. I did not try it but it looked nice. The staff is friendly and helpful.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Fredrock Glampground
        September 21, 2021

        Fredrock Glampground

        Fredrock Glampground

        I am  the manager and one of the owners. We would love to share our place with you. We thinks it's pretty special and think you will too!



      Frequently Asked Questions

      Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cape Girardeau, MO?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cape Girardeau, MO is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.

      What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cape Girardeau, MO?

      TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Cape Girardeau, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.