Glamping accommodations near Carthage, Missouri offer access to Ozark landscapes, with elevations ranging from 940 to 1,400 feet throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Late spring through early fall typically provides the most comfortable camping conditions with average temperatures between 65-85°F.
What to do
Explore lake activities: At Cedar Ridge Campground—Stockton Lake, visitors can enjoy water recreation about 40 miles from Carthage. "The kids loved watching the sailboats on this part of the lake. They also love the Sandy Beach," notes Ashley W. Cedar Ridge provides direct lake access with "a very nice boat launch ramp in the camp ground," according to Dean D.
Hike forest trails: Trails through the Mark Twain National Forest surround many glamping sites. A camper at Peddlers RV Park mentioned, "We offer free Wi-fi to our guests. Other amenities include a gameroom, an 8 swing gazebo with a 6 ft firepit, 11 acres of hiking and onsite laundry facilities." The park sits just 2 miles north of Roaring River State Park for additional hiking options.
Kayak marked water routes: Stockton Lake offers designated kayak trails for guided exploration. Katie R. says about Stockton State Park Campground, "Great state park. Cleanest restrooms I've seen. Great trails. Bring the kayaks. They have some pretty cool kayak marked trails on the lake. Beautiful sail boats to see as well!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers frequently praise the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at campgrounds near Carthage. Gary P. shared about Stockton State Park Campground, "Real nice park Especially for what we paid. $8.00 for electric only per night. Senior rate off season, $2.00 discount. Two loops East & West. We stayed in the east on a fairly level site, all nicely spaced."
Affordable glamping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the reasonable rates at many area glamping sites. A visitor at Beagle Bay RV Haven Campground noted, "5 star all the way. The owner, Rick, is just a kind wonderful person and very accommodating. Park is beautiful, prices reasonable- just a great place to stop."
Family amenities: Parents appreciate the kid-friendly features at glamping sites near Carthage. Austin H. mentioned Beagle Bay has "everything you could want! Arcade, swimming pool, kids playground and a pond to fish. On top of those they have bathrooms & showers with a sauna in each and a laundry unit which are all very nice!"
What you should know
Site spacing varies: At some locations, glamping units may be close together. Adam M. said about Bella Vista RV Park, "Nice campground. Spots are a little close together." However, at other locations like Cedar Ridge, Laura H. observed, "Beautiful views from many of the sites. I noticed several of the tent sites do not have level areas for your tent."
Seasonal considerations: While many glamping sites near Carthage operate year-round, available amenities can change with seasons. Mike H. noted about Joplin KOA, "Clean and well maintained KOA. Friendly personnel. Shaded, pull thru sites as well as back-ins, cabins, and tent sites. Sites are very level with crushed stone pads. Good water pressure. Lots of grass."
Insect preparedness: The Ozark region can have significant insect activity, especially ticks in warmer months. Angie from Indian Creek Campground shared, "Had an awesome hike, more incline/decline than I was expecting for the area! One less fun but not trip ruining detail, were the ticks. I went in August and they were pretty bad, tons on our legs and on my dog just from the hike."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Look for glamping sites with swimming beaches for family-friendly water activities. At Stockton State Park, Hayley G. recommends, "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."
Playground availability: Several glamping sites include playgrounds to keep children entertained. Hayley G. also noted about Stockton State Park, "Both loops had decent playgrounds for the kids." This provides convenient entertainment between outdoor adventures.
Evening activities: Some glamping sites near Carthage offer special evening programs for families. Jamey B. mentioned at Indian Creek Campground, "On Saturday nights there is a couple from the Corps of Engineers that do free activities for kids and families that we really enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Power options: RVers should check specific power hookups available at each site. Joe J. from Stockton State Park Campground explains, "Great camping spot with easy access to the lake and marina however there isn't any water or sewer hookup on the camp site. Almost boondocking with electric hookup and a dump station."
Level sites: Many glamping locations near Carthage feature level pads for comfortable setup. Tim T. shared about Peddlers RV Park, "Full hook up. Quiet, 4 minutes away from Roaring River State park. Great staff. Labor Day weekend the place was packed. Kid and dog friendly."
Internet connectivity: Wi-Fi quality varies between glamping sites. Mike H. observed at Joplin KOA, "Internet is poor, as typical of most RV parks. Cable tv with about 30 channels. Good stopover park."
