Best Campgrounds near Dexter, MO

This review is based on a short stay rather than a destination campground (CG) experience. We found this CG while looking for options near Sikeston, MO, and decided to try it based on positive online reviews. Booking was easy with a same-day reservation, and we received an email with directions, the WiFi password, and instructions to pick any site between 8 and 13, designated for big rigs and short-term stays, as most of the other sites were occupied by longer-term residents. We chose pull-through site #11 with full hookups (FHU) due to its convenient angle. All of the sites, including the shorter back-ins, offer FHU. Our site accommodated our 40’ fifth wheel and F450 truck comfortably, with centrally located utilities and 40 psi water pressure. The WiFi was sufficient for checking emails and general browsing, while cell service was limited to 1 bar on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile. With few trees, satellite reception wouldn’t be an issue. During our stay, we were the only short-term guests. Some sites had picnic tables and fire pits, and while ours did not, we could have moved them if desired. The CG has a nice shower house and laundry facility, but the real draw is the country store, which operates more like a restaurant. The owner and staff were exceptionally friendly, and the food was good. The sites are pretty much gravel and dirt. At $40 per night, the price felt a bit high for the amenities offered. We were there during dusty conditions, and friends came through a week later in the rain, and the CG was muddy. Along with the country store with a restaurant, there’s a dump station, plus they sell ice and propane. Being located along a frontage road off I-57, road noise was noticeable. Overall, we had a pleasant overnight stay and appreciated their hospitality.

Did not have reservation or call ahead as website listed campsite availability. We arrived before 4:45 but everything closed at 4:30- offices, visitor center ect. No one answered phone #s nor gave any after-hour access information. From what we could see the campsites appeared flooded and a lot of construction. Why not list on website or at least have on your phone message? Hope to be this way again and will try again but not without talking with someone in the park

Beautiful small campground with large sites. Restroom was emaculate. Clean park with a boat launch. Electric only spots and dispersed. Water and dump are on site.

We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.

The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.

If you consider this waypoint, two things:

1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.

2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.

Sam a Baker is a beautiful destination for any family. There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding. There are multi camp sites that can be easily reserved online. The Saint Francis River and the Big Creek meet in the park. The big creek is spring feed and ice cold. The Saint Francis is wild and is considered white water during the rainy season. There are plenty of amenities in the park for the novice camper. From the camp store to the shower house. SAM A BAKER has you covered

Tent camped here during the week in June and the campground was only about 1/3 full. Quiet and the restrooms and showers were very clean.

My parents (from Mississippi) and I (from St. Charles, MO) found this place sort of between us and we sure do love it. The owner Kelly and his whole team were nothing but gracious and hospitable to us the entire weekend. You can tell there's some work to be done on this new venture for Kelly but his heart in it and I can't wait to see how he continues to grow the property. Thanks for having us and we can't wait to come back. 

The bath house was clean. The site was huge. There was plenty of firewood when we needed it. The nature was nature'in and the wild was wild'in. Good times.

We had so much fun playing in the creek learning about as Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable , baby goats and baby chicks that were just all over and loving living. ❤️ My family and friends found out that I was going there and she was more than happy to help us be accommodated for so many people. I kept adding and she was like no problem. Thank you so much for making it easy and affordable. We will definitely be back to visit. I feel that we have actually found some true lifelong friends. Thank you Ivy

Way to crowded tiny sites

We stopped here chasing the 2024 eclipse. Easy to find. No cost. About 20 parking spaces, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Open for solar panels, but tree cover around the lot. Only about 5 parking spaces are not on a slant. Places in the trees for tents. Absolutely beautiful views up and down the river. A single fire pit on the river’s edge. No road noise to speak of because it is way in the distance and rare at night. Fireflies and owls into the night. Mist on the water in the morning: just beautiful. T mobile service has 3 of 4 bars. There is no apparent Verizon service.

There is not much here other than a place to camp for free. There is one two-path logging road suitable for hiking and mountain biking back into the woods. It leads to a T where additional two-path logging road.

Went to stay in a cabin for one night, then extended our stay.   The place was to nice to leave.   The lake and St. Francis river are crystal clear.  Watched the baby deer, and listen to thw owls at night.   The cabin had all the amenities included, towels, coffee, soaps, dinnerware and cookware.    check-in was easy. Front deck included a B-B-Q  grill, and hot tub that over looked the lake and camp fire.   Our family will be back.   Thank you!

The name of this facility is truthful, it’s a camper lot. All white stone gravel, no landscaping, no trees, no tables or fire rings. Even for a single night stopover, it’s not very attractive. It is right on the lake but then, the nice State Park camping site is right around the corner is too and charges about half the price. 

3 stars because descriptions on this app are not necessarily written by campground owners.

Campground was nice and quiet, spots were all maintained. only a few spots farthest away from lake had sewer, the others have water and electric. none of the spots are very far from the lake however. No wi-fi. showers were out of order half of the time. No store as it states on site, only and office but mostly no one there but it was holiday weekend. broken down marina sitting in ruins and what was left of dock didn’t seem too sturdy. Remnants of old gas pump but no marina gas. terrible fishing off of dock, you have to go out on lake. Several high speed boats passing by. Fairly far from any decent sized town but that is not bothersome as that is the point of camping. we enjoyed our stay but we’re disappointed about the showers, restrooms out of repair. Overall a decent campground just dated. grass and sites were kept up well. picnic table and fire pit at all sites.

With a paid reservation made 3 months in advance, the Campground Host cancelled our reservation, refunded our money and then quadrupled the rate for that same period ($125 went to $750 for one night).  Your paid family vacation plans reservation is not firm with Otahki Lake Cabins and Campgrounds KOA. I hope this does not happen to you and your family’s dream camping trip!

Site 17

Location : perfect location if you’re wanting a good view of the water. Brush is cleared behind this site making it a clear view to the water / sunset. The sunset is breathtaking. Directly across from the bathrooms, laundry, & dumpster. Paved site. Fire pit. Tree located right in front of the spot, would only be a problem of putting out an awning.

Bathrooms : Shockingly clean! Large bathrooms. Laundry area located in the same building. Dumpster outside of the building.

Cons : I can’t even explain the amount of mosquitoes at this site - of course because you’re directly on the water, but the mosquitoes are insane. We had trouble locating the campground by the address on the reservation. We ended up finding it by putting in Blue Bank Resort which is located right next door.

We have been coming here for years, there is something for everyone here! 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. The store is adorable, the food is surprisingly really good (I’m craving those loaded nachos!), and when you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes you can rent them there 😁 We like Campground 2 on the gravel side (to the left when you pull in) because it’s nice and quiet and close to the nature center. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sites!

It was a great stay! Site 10 had a beautiful view of the lake. Multiple restrooms but no showers. Each site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit. The only complaint would be the enormous amount of bugs.

This was a great stay! Nice and peaceful, great company with total strangers on the next site over. Campsites are spaced out nicely. There are only a handful of sites that are suitable for tents as each site varies on cleared area. No water or electricity that we seen. Boat launch and floating dock are just a short walk from any camp site. We stayed at campsite #5 and it was spacious for our tent. Dumpster for trash is next to the bathrooms across from site #3 & 4. Asphalt road through the camping area and Asphalt pulloffs at each site. Chiggers and bugs are an issue here so bring plenty of Off. We stayed 10 nights and we will definitely mark this one down on our list. Truck Stop 1 mile east for ice, food and drinks. There is a small grocery store about 18 miles west with a great selection. Picnic table and fire pit at each site. Free wood laying all over the place, when the management team cut trees down they leave them there for campers to use.

This park is a hidden gem. Stayed at the Asher Creek part of the park spectacular views of the lake, also has a boat ramp for registered campers.

Love this park, lakeside or ridge top. Only 4 spots without electricity, use that how you will. The lake side is dope for water views and stag gazing.