Nestled in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, Cherryville, Missouri sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with nearby camping options along the Meramec River watershed. The area experiences distinct seasons with fall camping particularly popular during foliage season when temperatures range from 50-70°F during October days. Winter camping remains viable at several year-round facilities despite occasional freezing temperatures.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The 4-acre lake at Meramec Valley Campground & RV Park provides stocked fishing plus kayaking access. "Great sites, pools, store and a 4 acre lake for fishing and kayaking," notes Bill L., with waterfront sites available for direct lake access.
Hiking exploration: Haven Hollow offers extensive walking trails through 200+ acres of Missouri farmland. "They cut walking trails over 200+ acres with a little pond," shares MickandKarla W. The property includes meadows, tree lines, and creek areas with clearly marked paths suitable for all skill levels.
Floating excursions: Take advantage of river access from Indian Springs Resort and Campground which offers both boat rentals and shuttle services. "Float trips are a big deal here, and Indian Springs offers both boat rentals and shuttle services," reports Taryn S., adding that the put-in point is "less than 10 mins" away, making logistics simple for self-organized river trips.
What campers like
Security features: RV Self-Park receives consistent praise for its modern security systems. "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras," notes Grant, making it popular with travelers concerned about overnight safety while away from their rigs.
Clean facilities: Doolittle Acres maintains well-kept amenities including showers, laundry, and designated recreation areas. "The camp area looks new, cute playground, small fenced dog park type area, showers, laundry, fire pits and picnic tables," writes Becky M., though she notes there's "very little trees or grass" for those seeking shade.
Recreation programming: Big Creek RV Park organizes weekly activities for campers. "Saturday is fun with different campground activities and an evening hayride," explains Mike T., while another reviewer mentioned "duck races" among the organized events that create a community atmosphere.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the region operate on limited seasonal schedules. Indian Springs Resort operates "April to October" according to their listing information, closing during winter months despite their popularity.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigating rural roads that can challenge larger rigs. "The last 1.5 miles is gravel and it was a little dusty coming in," warns MickandKarla W. about Haven Hollow RV Park, though they managed with a 39' fifth wheel and F-450 by taking it slow.
Highway noise: Proximity to Interstate 44 creates ambient noise at some locations. One reviewer of RV Self-Park noted, "If you love the sound of freeways this is the place for you," highlighting the trade-off between highway convenience and peaceful surroundings.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Doolittle Acres RV Park provides dedicated children's play areas with modern equipment. "They have a little dog park, kids park, and it was all clean and well maintained," reports Kelsey S., making it suitable for families needing to burn off energy.
Swimming options: Multiple water recreation choices exist for families seeking cooling options. "The fishing lake was beautiful," notes one reviewer, while another mentions that Big Creek offers "a nice little pool in middle of park" plus "a great little hiking/biking path along creek that runs along park."
Programming for children: Indian Springs Family Resort schedules kid-friendly activities throughout the season. "It's VERY family-oriented with tons of games like volleyball and horseshoes, plus onsite programs and activities including scavenger hunts, movie nights, pancake breakfasts," writes Taryn S., emphasizing it's "probably not for you if you want to party."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up reliability: Most RV camping near Cherryville, Missouri offers full hookups with varying amperage options. At Haven Hollow, "Utilities worked fine," reports a reviewer, while noting WiFi was spotty despite being advertised.
Site dimensions: Pay attention to published length restrictions as some parks have physical limitations. Haven Hollow's "sites support about a 40' rig with some able to support up to 42' max" due to berms behind the sites that limit backing distance.
Leveling considerations: Look for parks advertising concrete pads or level sites to minimize setup challenges. "Our hookups worked but they were in need of updating," notes one reviewer about an older park, while another praised more recently developed facilities for having "easy to pull in and out, sites were well maintained."
