Camping near Clearwater Lake

Join the fun near Clearwater Lake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Clearwater Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Clearwater Lake, MO. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

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Best Camping Sites Near Clearwater Lake (153)

    1. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Patterson, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 856-4411

    "State Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites."

    "Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper."

    2. Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    25 Reviews
    Van Buren, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 323-4236

    $20 - $140 / night

    "It is still possible to enjoy the area and there are places to get away from the crowd.

    In 2017 the area had a major flood and renovations are slow."

    "Big Spring is a great, quiet spot to take in some hiking with access to the Current River."

    3. Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

    16 Reviews
    Ellsinore, MO
    16 miles

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Stopped here while passing through Missouri on a Saturday on 4th of July weekend and there were only 3 other campers when we arrived late afternoon."

    "Just off highway, it is dispersed camping in a park that no longer charges, blacktop pad, lantern hook, picnic table, fire ring w cooking grate at ea site, vault toilets."

    4. Piedmont Park

    5 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-7777

    $14 - $50 / night

    "Despite living in this general area my entire life I’ve never been to Clearwater Lake, the trip was better than I expected. We got an amazing spot with 10/10 views."

    "We stayed right next to the beach in site A15. Spot was lacking shade but made up for it with the view."

    5. River Road Park

    4 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-7777

    $14 - $110 / night

    "A friendly atmosphere with quick, over the hill, access to Clearwater Lake too. Shaded lots are plenty but get snatched up. Reservations (4 days in advance) and first come for available spots."

    "This campground is located at the southern side of Clearwater lake on the Black River. We were in spot R1 which apparently stands for remote. Electric was available and water was within 50 ft or so."

    6. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

    56 Reviews
    Black, MO
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 546-2450

    $11 - $32 / night

    "It is located on the Black River, and the water flowing through the shut-ins is crystal clear and cool."

    "Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is located on the Black River in Missouri, just south of St. Louis. This makes it a popular location on hot summer days, especially weekends."

    7. Bluff View(clearwater Lake)

    3 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-7777

    $14 - $50 / night

    "Ggreat area to walk"

    8. Kempers Hideaway Resort

    2 Reviews
    Piedmont, MO
    1 mile
    +1 (573) 223-7324

    $70 - $80 / night

    9. Beaver Springs Campground

    1 Review
    Piedmont, MO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 223-4217

    $18 - $85 / night

    "Bordered by a spring branch and just a mile from Clearwater lake access. Has several cabins and one RV for rent. Tall pines and cottonwood trees throughout."

    10. Four Creeks Ranch Campground

    3 Reviews
    Ellington, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 444-2112

    $15 - $30 / night

    "this campground is totally off the beaten path. a great place to relax and unwind. this is also a good place if your new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society. the"

    "She just wasn't there when we arrived, and we had a hard time determining property boundaries, tent site locations, etc. on our own."

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Recent Reviews near Clearwater Lake

624 Reviews of 153 Clearwater Lake Campgrounds


  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mark Twain National Forest Markham Springs Campground

    Beautiful out of the way spot.

    This is a very clean, well kept campground in Mark Twain National Forest. It has electric, vault toilets showers and a potable water spigot. Very reasonably priced. The water was cut off for repairs shortly after I arrived but, no problem, stuff happens. Been here 12 days and it has been very enjoyable. I did a field report and it tested my "cell" reception but I have no signal here so I am using Starlink and have a great connection so that will skew the test results. They need to ask if using Starlink before doing that test.

  • J
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Beautiful but not free

    Stunning views. Multiple spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. They have a QR code on each picnic table so you can book your site through the state and pay $10 to Camp but there's no service in that area so I'm not sure how they expect us to be able to do that. There's two camping sections. One is about halfway down the road. It's grass and trees and it's across from a vault toilet and a trash bin. If you go all the way to the end of the road it rocks and sand and you're right on the water but there's no toilets or trash.

    The coordinates for this place just takes you to the start of the road not to the actual campsites. So once you get to the road just drive down it. It's not too far and car could make it.

    The only annoying thing was that when I stayed with my tent on the rocks by the water, all the way at the end, I could still hear the person at the very first campsite with RV generator humming very loudly and it took away a lot of the ambiance of the place. So it's primitive but you may not be alone.

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Tom Sauk Mountain State Park

    Primitive

    We didn’t camp here but drove up the mountain to check out the look out. Took a trip through the campground, tent camping only and it looked like most sites had platforms and a picnic table. I seen one or two restrooms. Looked nice and wasn’t crowded. Several hiking trails, I think we’ll come back in the future to hike

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Black River Hideaway Campground

    Clean and neat

    Camp host were very friendly, park is very clean and neat. Nice amenities through the campground; pool, small playground, basketball court and volley ball. Would most definitely stay again.

  • Kayla M.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Ridge Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    Great campground

    Love it here, it’s got tons of campsites to choose from. Fees are very reasonable, and 30A & 50A options available. Fishing & boating close by. Laundry at restrooms.

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Piedmont Park

    Better than Expected!!

    Despite living in this general area my entire life I’ve never been to Clearwater Lake, the trip was better than I expected. We got an amazing spot with 10/10 views. The first day it did rain, keeping us in the car, but after that we were able to set up our site and head straight to the water! It was pretty hot tent camping but not unbearable.


Guide to Clearwater Lake

Camping near Clearwater Lake, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. One visitor mentioned, "The Scour Trail was also close and really neat to see," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles and deep and cold enough for the older kids and adults to cool off too."
  • Fishing: Cast your line at Big Spring Campground. One camper noted, "The campground offers 29 electric sites and many more with level pads, picnic tables, lantern hooks, and fire pits," perfect for a fishing trip.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. A visitor said, "Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained, and the signs were very clear."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Echo Bluff State Park. One reviewer remarked, "Sites were spacious and there’s not a 'bad' site in the whole park."
  • Friendly Staff: The welcoming atmosphere at Round Spring Campground is a highlight. A camper mentioned, "The host was great and did a nice show at the amphitheater about the local area."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service at Alley Spring Campground. A visitor advised, "There is NO cell signal, so I highly recommend you take a weather radio."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots like Huzzah Valley can fill up quickly. One camper noted, "Reservations recommended, especially on weekends."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: If you’re staying at Silver Mines, keep in mind that there are no showers available. A reviewer mentioned, "There are not hookups at each campsite."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground is great for families. One parent said, "There is something for everyone here!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: The camp store at Echo Bluff State Park has good food options. A camper mentioned, "The food is surprisingly really good (I’m craving those loaded nachos!)."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A visitor at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park said, "The shut-ins were right down the road or you could walk or bike the paved path all the way there."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: If you’re bringing an RV to Big Spring Campground, be aware of site sizes. A camper noted, "Nice paved site a bit on the small side."
  • Bring Extra Water: At Pinewoods Lake Rec Area, water hookups are limited. One visitor said, "No water or electricity that we seen."
  • Use the Dump Station: Make sure to utilize the dump station at Round Spring Campground. A camper shared, "The dump station is at the entrance to the campground."

Camping near Clearwater Lake, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any established campgrounds at Clearwater Lake in Missouri?

Yes, Clearwater Lake offers several established campgrounds. River Road Park is a quiet campground located on the southern side of the lake along the Black River. It features electric hookups, water access, showers, bathrooms, and a dump station. The campground offers both standard sites and more remote options with good spacing between sites. Bluff View is another established option at Clearwater Lake with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. These campgrounds provide excellent access to fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities on the lake.

What camping options are available near Piedmont, MO at Clearwater Lake?

Near Piedmont at Clearwater Lake, campers can enjoy Piedmont Park, which offers excellent waterfront sites with scenic lake views. The park provides easy access to the water for swimming and boating activities. Beaver Springs Campground is another option just a mile from Clearwater Lake access. This privately owned campground features amenities including a pool, clean bathhouse, ice and firewood sales, and is nestled among tall pines and cottonwood trees. The campground borders a spring branch and offers several cabins and an RV for rent, making it a convenient base for exploring the Piedmont area.

Are there resorts with accommodations available at Clearwater Lake?

Yes, Clearwater Lake offers resort accommodations for visitors seeking alternatives to traditional camping. Kempers Hideaway Resort near Piedmont provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. For those wanting a private campground experience with resort-style amenities, several options exist around the lake area. Beaver Springs Campground has several rental cabins and an RV available for guests who prefer not to bring their own accommodations. These resorts provide convenient access to Clearwater Lake's recreational opportunities while offering more comfortable lodging options than tent camping.