Thousand Hills State Park offers cabin rentals about 45 miles from Chula, Missouri in the rolling terrain of northern Missouri. The park contains a 573-acre lake surrounded by woodland and prairie ecosystems. Most cabins in the region require reservations at least two weeks in advance during peak summer months from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Hills State Park features a large lake stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. "Nice calm lake great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and small motored boats," notes a Thousand Hills State Park Campground visitor.
Water recreation: Rent kayaks and canoes at the marina for exploring the lake. "The park has a full service marina where you can rent kayaks or fill your boat with gas. It also has a restaurant," explains one reviewer.
Hiking trails: The park offers several trail systems suitable for various experience levels. "There are several different trails you can hike or bike. A great and affordable place to stay in north Missouri," according to a camper who visited with both a tent and travel trailer.
What campers like
Private shower facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathroom facilities. "The shower houses had individual, private, large, and very clean facilities," reports a visitor at Nine Eagles State Park Campground, which offers cabins about an hour from Chula.
Spacious campsites: Several campgrounds provide sites with adequate room between neighbors. "Nice park, a little run down, but there's a new park ranger in town who is trying to fix it up," notes a Nine Eagles State Park visitor who appreciated the clean beach and spacious bathrooms.
Family-friendly amenities: The region's parks typically include playgrounds, picnic areas, and swimming beaches. "Facilities are available and very convenient and comfortable. Nice lake to swim and fish. Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails," shares a recent visitor to Nine Eagles.
What you should know
Off-season limitations: Water service may be turned off in basic camping areas during cooler months. One Nine Eagles camper noted, "We opted to pay the extra money for an electric site - based solely on the fact that the water wasn't turned on in the basic site loop."
Bring your own supplies: Soggy Bottom Campground and other facilities require guests to bring bedding and cooking equipment. Many cabins provide only basic furnishings without linens or kitchen supplies.
Varied reservation policies: Campgrounds in the region have different booking requirements and cancellation policies. Some require full payment at booking while others allow deposits. Sunday arrivals may present challenges at some locations as noted by a visitor to Pony Express RV: "We arrived on Sunday at 3:30 pm & office closed. Booked online which stated campground would assign spot."
Tips for camping with families
Consider site location: Choose campsites near bathrooms and recreation areas for convenience with children. "The electric campground is completely exposed to the sun. Nice right now but has to be brutal in the summer and the sites are right on top of one another as well," warns a visitor at Nine Eagles about summer heat concerns.
Playgrounds access: Shoemaker RV Park and several area campgrounds offer playground equipment for children. "They have a great staff, full store for almost anything you do, and don't, need for your RV," reports a satisfied visitor.
Check swimming beach conditions: Swimming areas may have seasonal closures or maintenance issues. "At a guess the basic sites aren't used much as they seemed less kept than the electric sites," observed one camper who also found water turned off at the swimming beach during their visit.
Tips from RVers
Electrical service options: Pony Express RV offers both 30 and 50 amp electrical service for cabin and RV campers. "This is a 12-month open RV Park. Most sites offer 30 and 50 Amp, Water and Sewer. WiFi has improved," notes a full-time resident.
Site selection strategies: For RVs or trailers, look for level sites with adequate space. "K row is preferential. Spread out fairly well. You're not on top of each other here," advises a visitor to Shoemaker RV Park who appreciated the layout.
Seasonal adaptations: Consider that cabin accommodations may require different planning in various seasons. Many parks in the region offer year-round cabin rentals with heating and air conditioning, making them suitable alternatives to RV camping during extreme weather.
