Piedmont Park campground by Clearwater Lake accommodates tent camping and RVs with pets at all sites. The campground maintains clean facilities with updated shower houses that include handicap-accessible stalls. Most sites feature good shade coverage and include concrete picnic tables, pavilions, fire pits, and 30-amp electrical hookups. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Clearwater Lake, Missouri. Multiple campgrounds in the area, including River Road Park, Kempers Hideaway Resort, and Beaver Springs Campground, welcome pets with ample outdoor space. The $8 per night rate with discount pass at Piedmont Park provides excellent value for pet owners looking for affordable camping options.
River Road Park sits at the southern edge of Clearwater Lake on the Black River, offering electric sites and nearby water access. The campground includes vault toilets and maintains a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere suitable for campers with pets. Sites marked "R" for remote provide excellent spacing between campers. Black River access points allow for fishing, kayaking and swimming opportunities where pets can cool off. The spillway area provides additional walking paths for exercising dogs. Beaver Springs Campground offers similar pet-friendly accommodations with the added benefit of tall pines and cottonwood trees providing natural shade. The spring branch bordering the property creates natural boundaries for pet exploration while the proximity to Clearwater Lake means easy water access for both pets and their owners.
$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."
$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."
$15 - $50 / 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."
"There are two (nice & clean) vault toilets, one in the campground near the entrance and the other at the day use/boat launch site, no electric, water, dumpster or garbage."
$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."
$14 - $50 / night
"Ggreat area to walk"
$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."
$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"
"Shelly, our host was so kind and the dogs were so sweet. The outhouses are comfortable and clean, and the river is beautiful. Great place to go hopping and find some cool rocks."
$14 - $50 / night
"We have stayed here a few times over the past couple of years and really enjoy that it’s it’s right on the Black River and that it is still within a couple of our drive from St. Louis."
"Loved this location and being next to the water. Hard to pitch a tent in some areas if you require stakes.. lots of rock in the more primitive spots. Locals are friendly."
ScoutA really nice smaller privately owned campground that still has all of the perks. Pool, clean bath house, ice, fire wood, etc. 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. Owners are great people and work relentlessly keeping the place maintained.
TravelerRiver Road is a quiet, safe little campground with amenities, fishing, boating, kayaking, easily accessible. Showers, bathrooms, electric and water hookup, dump station. 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. Cell reception is spotty but there. TV reception won't happen. Fire pits, with grill grates and concrete tables. Fish the spillway or the down river for catfish, perch and bass. Kayak from the campground down to Kempers Corner and put out and drive back. Head over the hill to Clearwater Lake to swim and fish too. Good campground!
ScoutThis 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. Vault style toilet house a short walk away. R spots were spaced out very well. The other side of the campground was all back in spots which some have electric / water available. Very nice and quiet area with essentials nearby. Would go again.
GuideDespite 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.
TravelerWe stayed here in April of 2026. The park managers were very nice and helpful. The facilities were clean. The showers were closed when we were there but the restrooms were clean. They are pet friendly but you had to walk your dog to the area along the road, the bar ditch, for all potty activities. We really enjoyed Poplar Bluffs and would stay here again.
LegendThe people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States. A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.
Big Springs was Missouri's first state park. The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there. In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore. Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160. Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring. The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.
The campground is large and open. Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together. Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer. There is a dump site. During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric. If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area. The tent site area is large and open to the sun. Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.
There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.
The Ranger programs are well worth checking out. Take advantage.
The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers. You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.
Have Fun - Stay Safe
Leave No Trace
Better Than When You Found It
ScoutThe campground and lake are both beautiful. It has basic camping utilities. We ourselves like to rough it but unfortunately no fires were allowed...that kinda sucked. People traveling with pets won't be able to stay due to no pets allowed...but other than those down sides it was nice
ScoutWe love it here. Sites that can accommodate tents and/or RVs. Its clean and well maintained. Multiple access points to the water. Educational programs and entertainment of some sort most every weekend. Pet friendly.
GuideI totally recommend this place ! It’s really nice place and the owners were really nice. We had a whole entire camp area to ourselves ! It’s right on the river. They have a little store, running water, decent bathrooms with hot showers and a playground. It’s an affordable place and family/pet friendly and the have horse stables there for your use if needed.
Clearwater Lake in Missouri spans 1,630 acres with 34 miles of shoreline and maintains year-round access. The lake sits at 498 feet elevation and features a diversity of terrain from rocky bluffs to shaded woodland areas. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for exploring the lake's numerous recreational facilities.
Fishing at spillway area: River Road Park has accessible fishing spots where the lake flows into Black River. "The spillway area provides additional walking paths for exercising dogs," notes a reviewer who appreciates the dual-purpose access.
Swimming at designated beaches: Piedmont Park maintains a swimming beach with safety features. "The swimming beach was the main attraction for us. The beach has a designated swimming area that boats can't access," shares Jon L., who visited with family.
Kayaking on Black River: The waterways near Clearwater Lake offer paddling opportunities. "Kayak from the campground down to Kempers Corner and put out and drive back," suggests Joe A., highlighting the convenience of this water route.
Nature hikes around lake perimeter: Pinewoods Lake Rec Area offers trails along the shoreline. "There's a 1.3 mile paved trail along the lake and a dock," reports Scherry D., who enjoyed the accessibility.
Peaceful, spacious sites: River Road Park offers sites marked for different camping styles. "We were in spot R1 which apparently stands for remote. Electric was available and water was within 50 ft or so. R spots were spaced out very well," Jeremy H. explains about the site layout.
Shade coverage: Tall trees throughout the area provide natural cooling. "Tall pines and cottonwood trees throughout," notes Phil B. about Beaver Springs Campground, which borders a spring branch.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain their amenities regularly. "The shower house is clean and well lit. We were the only tent in the park on laborday weekend and it was very nice," says Jamie C. about Kempers Hideaway Resort.
Water access: Proximity to Clearwater Lake and connecting waterways rates highly. "Big Spring is a great, quiet spot to take in some hiking with access to the Current River," shares Jason F. about nearby options.
Seasonal water levels: Clearwater Lake experiences fluctuations that affect camping areas. "We stayed here when the Clear Water Lake was at record flooding level, boat docks were cut off from any foot traffic. So we had the campground mostly to ourselves," reports Mark D. from Piedmont Park.
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity varies throughout the area. "Drawback is no cell signal. And no attendees present on Wednesdays and Thursdays," Jubilee C. warns about service limitations.
Insects during warm months: Prepare for regional bugs, especially in wooded areas. "Chiggers and bugs are an issue here so bring plenty of Off," advises Kurt O. from Pinewoods Lake Rec Area.
Off-season advantages: Visiting outside summer offers unique benefits. "Bald Eagle flew above us! Nice place," notes Mark D. about wildlife viewing opportunities during quieter periods.
Beach day preparation: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park offers water play areas beyond Clearwater Lake. "Our kids loved climbing all over the shut-ins. We have already planned to return in the summer to swim!" recommends Ashlee B.
Check pet policies on trails: Not all trails near dog friendly campgrounds Clearwater Lake permit pets. "The shut-ins trail DOES NOT allow dogs so that's a bummer. Found some other local hiking trails so overall it wasn't too bad," warns Erin J. about restrictions.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Nights can get cool even in summer. "Sites marked 'R' for remote provide excellent spacing between campers," notes a visitor to River Road Park, where tree cover can make evenings notably cooler.
Utilize camp programs: Some parks organize family activities. "They also had neat programs going on while we were there including a smores contest and adult scavenger hunt," shares Charlotte B. about Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on shade and access. "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," reports Makayla C. about Piedmont Park.
Electrical hookup varieties: Campgrounds offer different power options. "I have electric, water, a covered picnic table, a fire ring and all for $8/night with my pass discount," notes Overland 1 about the value at Piedmont Park.
Local supply sources: Several resupply options exist near camping areas. "Save your money and buy firewood here at the hideaway, best value ($7) and a large amount, you can also purchase ice here as well in the office area," advises Jamie C. about Kempers Hideaway.
Level site availability: Many campgrounds feature leveled pads. "Sites are well spaced out and most are level. It's been almost empty every time we have been there," shares Chenoa B. about Pinewoods Lake camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clearwater Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clearwater Lake is Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Clearwater Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 118 dog-friendly camping locations near Clearwater Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
