Join the fun near Carthage. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Carthage is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Carthage, reviewed by campers like you.
$32 - $68 / night
"We enjoyed a garden right outside our door. There was free wi-go and cable TV. There was a BBQ our first night which was so gracious and enjoyable after a long day of driving."
"This is a great, friendly campground, off the highway about a mile, so no highway noise. Very pet friendly. Long wide sites that have grass, patios and picnic tables. Open year round!"
"It was near the highway but oh so quiet. Checkout in the morning was easy and Mike at the office was so friendly. Excellent place to stay!!"
"Neighbors to our left had been here for a couple months and had a big dog that they didn’t clean up the poop very well and we about stepped in it many times."
"Near enough to town to enjoy the museum and pop in for lunch, far enough away to feel detached. There's also an old Drive in movie next door! "
"Tent area is undeveloped, but the lawn is fairly level, bathrooms and showers are only a short walk away. Nicole showed me to the site and was a wonderful help."
"They offer firewood to buy from them and propane as well if you run out on site and don’t want to drive anywhere. This is the best place we’ve stayed at yet!"
$20 - $40 / night
"Nice campground close to Joplin, MO. Friendly host, clean campsites, pet friendly."
"We did find 2 outside stalls with toilets but not until the next morning so that helped. Overall it was a nice place to stop and sleep for the night. Friendly people."
"Highway noice but didn't brother us at all."
"It is a parking lot behind a casino but backs up to a beautiful pasture with pond. Stay is free with a membership card from casino. Got card then went to gift shop to get space."
$25 / night
"Although it is a no frills campground it is across the street from a lengthy park with walking trails and a couple playgrounds as well as an active creek which advertises trout fishing on signs along the"
"We have 3 dogs and had plenty of walking trails for them. We would definitely stay here again."
GuideAn absolutely wonderful campground with great low rates in the shoulder season($10 for electric during shoulder season ) Plus if you have the America the beautiful pass its 50% off. Regular season rates $14-$20 Warm showers with very little water pressure... but other than that a wonderful campground. Most of the campsites have shade but some of the non electric ones by the lake do not despite what Recreation.gov says.
GuideThis was a nice campground that was well maintained. The sites are quite close together with little privacy and minimal shade from the trees. We stayed in the East Loop which looked less popular than the West Loop. There was a short walk less than 5 minutes down a trail to the lake that was gorgeous. And a longer hike that went along the edge of the lake that was absolutely lovely and easy enough for the young kids in our group to do. If you don't mind being close to your neighbors it's a nice spot!
We did check out the walk in sites here, but were not able to stay in them. They looked awesome and were a short 5 minute walk from the parking. A great beginner site for walk in camping and there were carts at the start of the trail for your gear. Both loops had decent playgrounds for the kids.
GuideWe stayed in the D loop at site D37. All of the sites in the D loop are more spaced out and wooded than in the other loops. They also don't have electric and the bathroom is a vault toilet.
Site D37 was able to fit our two tents comfortably but I don't think there was a flat space to fit a third. It was also pretty overgrown and unkept. So bring lots of bug spray. Site D39 is pretty close and it would work well for a group needing multiple spots. We had a view of the lake across the road. The bathroom was a several minute walk.
Site D37 across from us had water access and looked really nice. Other nearby spots D40 was also quite heavily wooded and didn't look like it had much more than one semi-flat spot for a tent. But it was definitely very private!
We used the shower houses(which we had to drive to get to) and they were okay. The water wouldn't get hot, but we didn't take ice cold showers. The swim beach was the highlight of this location and very nice!
Scout.decent campground, way too expensive
GuideOnce arriving the owners/ staff were friendly and helpful. The convenience shop had everything you could possibly forget at home and plus! They have thought of everything you might need while camping. Kayaking/ Canoeing is so laid back , there was absolutely nothing to fuss over. Bonus was the float ended right at the camp site. How can that be topped!
Will be returning hopefully for many years.
TravelerThis campground has a wide variety of sites, from fully shaded to partially shaded, some a stone's throw from the water
GuideSuper helpful staff for late check-ins. It is a good RV campsite when you are on the move and need a place to stay near the the high way (a bit noisy with traffic) and traveling with a pet. They have a place for dogs to play.
ScoutAfter reviewing the camp map, I found C1 shown as a pull thru site available for the week we would be staying. Easy peasy. Until 2 days before we are set to show up, I get an email and we have been moved to a back in site. When ask I was told pull thru sites are for are monthly renters. So why did your reservation system allow me to rent for a week? Then they tell me C1 isn't a pull thru site after all, although the map outside the store shows it as pull thru, great then I shouldn't have been moved give me C1. It is already filled. So a site I reserved was given to someone else and I never got an honest answer as to why. During the conversation the staff was rude and condescending. The camp store is not stocked well. The sites are close together and not level at all. The bath house smelled moldy. The worst campground we have ever stayed out.
GuideWe were pulling our camper on our way to Nebraska and needed somewhere to stay the night. Tried booking online but were unsuccessful. Called, got a spot. Upon setting up, went to the shower house for a shower (they DO NOT provide linens as another review stated) Shower house was newly remodeled although the water pressure wasn’t all that good. Grounds were nice and well manicured.
Camping near Carthage, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Carthage, Missouri, has something for everyone, from fishing and hiking to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to check the amenities and plan accordingly for a great experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available at Lake Carthage?
There is no free camping directly at Lake Carthage. Most camping areas near Carthage require fees. As an alternative, consider Kamp Siesta, an established campground with reasonable rates located adjacent to fairgrounds and a city park that overlooks the Neosho River. The park includes amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts, pavilions, and playgrounds. For lake camping within driving distance, Stockton State Park Campground offers well-maintained sites with lake views, though fees apply for overnight stays.
What RV and trailer parking options are available in Carthage?
Carthage and its surrounding area offer several quality RV parking options. Big Red Barn RV Park provides full hook-ups and is conveniently located near Carthage with big-rig-friendly sites. Another excellent option is Coachlight Campground, which features level sites, water, and toilets suitable for RVs of various sizes. For those interested in outdoor recreation while RV camping, Rush Springs Ranch offers plenty of space for RV parking with hookups, priced around $35 per day plus camping fees, and provides access to numerous off-road trails.
Where are the best camping options near Carthage?
The Carthage area offers excellent camping within a short drive. Prairie State Park Campground is one of the most underrated parks in the region, located about 45 minutes from Joplin. Its spacious sites include tables, fire pits, and bathroom facilities, with a nearby creek for added tranquility. For those willing to venture a bit further, Roaring River State Park Campground provides diverse recreation options including trout fishing, hiking, and swimming, while being conveniently located for day trips to Branson or Eureka Springs.
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