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.
"Located in South Missouri it is an easy day trip into Branson Missouri or Eureka Springs Arkansas. Very well located and very well run by the state."
"Campground 1 was tucked up in an inlet that went back into the valley. It dead ends at a wonderful trailhead. The west side on CG#1 is lined by a beautiful creek that runs into the rotating river."
$14 - $20 / night
"This particular site was just up the hill from the lake and completely private."
"While Stockton Lake itself brings a lot to the table, with beautiful blue water, cliffs to jump from, and close proximity to town if you are craving some ice cream (I suggest Squeeze Inn), the State Park"
$10 - $34 / night
"A handful of small campgrounds surround the lake. Almost every spot is on the water.
Only drawback is restrooms are sometimes a short walk away."
"Great site next to river, across from bath, laundry and showers. Quiet and easy access. Highly recommend."
$14 - $160 / night
"Cheap full hook ups at a nice lakeside campground, they also have a hotel and cabins that are nice getaways. The food at the restaurant is pretty good as well."
"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."
TravelerThis campground offers a lot of options. Including trout fishing, hiking, and swimming. Located in South Missouri it is an easy day trip into Branson Missouri or Eureka Springs Arkansas. Very well located and very well run by the state. They offer a pretty well equipped camp store along with the lodge and restaurant. This state park is gorgeous and one of my favorite places to go. They also have a nature center and trout hatchery. Park is open year round, trout tags must be purchased at the camp Store. All campgrounds have nice bathrooms and showers. Just a heads up though if you are looking for a quiet relaxing weekend make sure you avoid kids free fishing weekend! It’s a ZOO that weekend!
GuideJust got home from a weekend stay at site C19 at Hawker Point COE Park. This particular site was just up the hill from the lake and completely private. The walk to the lake was about 50 yards and a little steep but we managed to carry two kayaks down and up without too much trouble (and we are a middle-aged couple), and it was totally worth the effort because it was as if we had our own private cove.
The site is very spacious and shaded with plenty of trees for our hammocks and clothesline. Lots of level places for tents. The park attendants were very friendly and helpful.
C19 has no electricity or water and the closest vault toilet is a good walk down the road. The shower houses were driving distance away. We have a shower tent, so that wasn’t an issue for us.
We drove through the rest of this park to check out A and B campground loops. A loop consists of full hookup sites and many sit right on the water. Little shade and crowded, but if you like to play on the lake all day these might be for you. B loop had pretty wooded sites but many were not close to the water. C loop is where it’s at!
ScoutWe tent camped in Campground 3 at lot 168. We are more of the hiker, woodsy, adventure type people. If I would have known better I would have chosen Campground 1 for tent camping, as it seemed less groomed. Campground 1 was tucked up in an inlet that went back into the valley. It dead ends at a wonderful trailhead. The west side on CG#1 is lined by a beautiful creek that runs into the rotating river. Lots 54-77 are close to the bathrooms and well shaded, and I have them noted in my phone for our next trip. Reservations required and easy to make (1-877-422-6766)
Campground 3 was very open and didn’t feel very “woodsy”. However it was still a very nice spot with a short walk to some awesome fishing spots. It is also near the two longer trail heads, which we enjoyed. If you have ATT you won’t have any cell service here. BUT.. there’s WiFi. Yes. In 2021, you can get WiFi at your campsite. I don’t really like this, but it was helpful for my partner who is a businessman and needs to be able to send emails. (This was only from CG#3 in my experience)
Campground 2 seemed like a nice in between of 1 and 3. It was a little more shaded, but seemed to have more traffic.
Every campground offered basic, electric, or all the fancy stuff. We like to rough it, so that wasn’t for us. We will be back for sure!
LegendFishermen will love Roaring River! If you don't fish it is okay. The area is situated in the Ozark Mountains with the campground next to the stream where they release trout. The campground we stayed at has very little shade and the spacing felt uncomfortable as it has no natural blocks from the other sites. The sirens at 7 am and in the evening are what ultimately turned me off. We awoke every morning to fishermen down by the stream waiting for the siren to tell them they could fish. The talking could be heard all the way up and down the valley.
TravelerWhat a gem! Amazing swimming beach, modern bath house and great restaurant.
A handful of small campgrounds surround the lake. Almost every spot is on the water.
Only drawback is restrooms are sometimes a short walk away.
GuideNot my favorite of all parks but also not one to miss. Roaring river state park has a working trout fish hatchery. You can walk the holding tanks and feed the trout from baby to ready to be released into the river. There is also a cave you can walk in where you’ll find a pool of water that goes for miles underground. Roaring river has three different campgrounds. I prefer ground one and two...however the downside is the spots are not very spacious / far apart from those camping next to you. There are also several hiking trails through out the park, a visitors center, bath houses, a pool, and swimming holes (the water is very cold—great in the hot summer)
They are currently redoing the park in a multi million dollar project. The plan was to be completed already however due to COVID19 there have been some delays. I am excited to see the improvements once complete.
GuideNice and clean. The 3 campgrounds are next to the river and few trails are really close around
Rangerclose proximity to great hiking trails, AWESOME trout fishing. Campsites are VERY clean and tidy. The showers are hot and clean. It’s a great place
RangerSeveral spots near the river most are basic sites. They have three loops each with there own shower houses. Loop one is out away frin the river tucked in a narrow cannon really cool fealing. Loop two and three are on the river. Loop two has electric and lots of trees. Loop three has unreserved with trees, and resevered basic more in the open and not as crowded.
Horse camping in Missouri offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds that cater to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Carthage, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Carthage, MO is Roaring River State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Carthage, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Carthage, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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